 |
Caring for
Senior Dogs
|
 Old
age is not a disease
As a result of advances in
veterinary medicine, more knowledgeable care and
improved nutrition, dogs are now living much longer,
healthier lives. But, just as for humans, the passage of
time has its effects, and you may begin to notice that
your once-frisky pet seems to have slowed down a bit.
Being aware of the natural changes that can occur as
your dog reaches his or her golden years, as well as
what you can do to help keep your pet as healthy, active
and comfortable as possible, can ensure that you both
enjoy this final stage in your dog's life to the
fullest.
 How-and
when-will I know that my dog is getting “old”?
As dogs move into the geriatric phase of their lives, they
experience gradual changes that are remarkably like those of
aging humans: hair turns grey, their bodies are not as
limber and reflexes not as sharp as they once were, hearing,
eyesight and the sense of smell may deteriorate and energy
levels, as well as attention spans, seem to diminish. In
fact, the first sign of aging is often a general decrease in
activity, combined with a tendency to sleep longer and more
soundly. Such signs may begin to manifest themselves before
8 years in large breeds like Great Danes, while smaller
breeds can remain youthful until 12 years and even longer.
Furthermore, a healthy dog, especially one that has been
spayed or neutered before 6 months, will most likely age
later than one that has been affected by disease or
environmental problems early in life. Again, as with humans,
the aging process will vary with the individual. Your
veterinarian will be able to judge when it's time to
consider your pet a “senior”.
Checkup time now comes twice a year
As your dog ages, regular checkups at the
veterinarian’s become more important than ever. In
fact, at this stage of your pet’s life, it is
recommended that he or she receive a thorough
examination every 6 months, as adult dogs can age as
much as 3 years (in human terms) within the period
of one calendar year. Besides the usual complete
physical examination, your veterinarian may conduct
a urine and fecal analysis and blood work.
Ultrasound and other imaging tests may be
recommended to detect early heart or internal organ
changes. |
Keep your vet informed
Most importantly, you should tell your veterinarian about
any noticeable change in your dog's physical condition or
behavior. A problem that you may assume is simply related to
your pet's advanced age may actually be the result of a
treatable medical condition. For example, your dog's
reluctance to exercise may not stem from the normal decrease
in energy that comes with age, but from arthritis or a heart
condition - both of which can be managed with the proper
treatment. Regular, semi-annual checkups can thus help your
veterinarian work out a suitable preventative health program
for your pet and catch any problems sufficiently early to
provide effective treatment. Working together, you can both
ensure that your dog's senior years will be healthy and
happy ones.
Something to chew on
 As
your pet ages, your dog’s nutritional needs may also
change. You may find that, although your pet is
eating less, he still puts on weight. This could be
due to a slowdown of his metabolism or a decrease in
his activity. Excess weight can aggravate many
canine medical conditions, including heart,
respiratory, skin and joint problems. To help a
portly pet reduce, try feeding smaller quantities of
food or gradually switch to a diet that is lower in
calories. Other dogs have entirely the opposite
problem—they lose weight as they age, sometimes as
the result of heart or periodontal disease or
diabetes. In either case, ask your veterinarian for
advice about your pet’s individual nutritional
requirements.
|
Put comfort on the
menu
You should also ensure that your dog is comfortable while
eating. Most pet owners place food dishes and water bowls on
the floor, but this may be a source of discomfort for a
large or overweight dog, or for one whose arthritis makes it
difficult—or even painful—to bend down. Many pet supply
outlets have eating tables that are specially designed with
cut-outs for food and water containers and are available in
various heights to suit various sizes of dogs. Or you can
fashion your own inexpensive solution to this problem: for
example, a plastic crate covered in a towel to absorb
spills.
Senior dog food
do’s & don’ts
 |
Do make
sure that your dog’s diet includes at least 18%
high-quality protein and 5% fat per serving.
|
|
|
Do
consider, in consultation with your
veterinarian, increasing the level of fibre in
his diet, especially if he suffers from frequent
constipation. |
|
|
Don’t feed
your dog between-meal snacks or table scraps. |
The top 10
health tips for senior dogs
- Take
your dog to his or her veterinarian for
twice-yearly checkups.
- Become
informed about conditions and diseases
common to senior dogs, be on the lookout for
symptoms and, should they arise, inform your
dog’s veterinarian promptly.
- Feed
your dog the best food you can afford and
consider giving him two small meals a day
rather than one large one.
- Don’t
overfeed—obesity causes many health problems
and may shorten your dog’s life.
-
Consider, on your veterinarian’s
recommendation, the use of dietary
supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin
for arthritis. Your veterinarian may
recommend daily pain medication.
- Make
sure your dog receives adequate exercise,
according to his physical capacities.
- Look
after your dog’s dental health. Brush his
teeth daily and have them cleaned
professionally when your veterinarian so
advises.
- Have
your veterinarian do a risk assessment to
determine an appropriate vaccination
protocol for your dog.
- Do
your utmost to control ticks and fleas and
make sure your dog and his environment (his
bed, play area, etc.) are always spotlessly
clean.
- Give
your dog lots of love and attention and do
all you can to keep him interested, active,
happy and comfortable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|