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Dog Care For the Older Canine

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Dog Care For the Older CanineBy Janie Knetzer

Different breeds and sizes of dogs will age at different rates and many consider "Mutts" hardier than purebred breeds. However, no matter what the breed or size, at some point a dog will exhibit signs of aging. Start preparing yourself early on and be observant to any changes in your dog's health, mood or behavior patterns.

Like human medicine, veterinary medicine has made great strides in geriatric care allowing our pets to live longer than ever before. The key is to recognize any problems as early on as possible and talk with your Veterinarian.

The Aging Process

Some noticeable signs of aging might include: sleeping more; eating less; being startled by noises, bright lights, or lots of activity; not coming immediately when you call (may indicate hearing loss or physical difficulties such as arthritis); a duller coat; skin with less elasticity; eyes that are not as bright or may be clouded (including the possibility of cataracts); or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Keeping Your Senior Dog Comfy

At times, caring for your older dog might require patience. Providing old dog care really isn't much different than caring for an aging person. They too may lose their hearing, forget where they are and become easily startled. Be patient and kind while making every effort to keep your greatest friend comfortable in his or her old age.

Another problem that many aging dogs face is incontinence. Leaking most often happens when the dog is sleeping and he is completely unaware of it. However, there is help for dogs and owners that are dealing with canine incontinence.

Responsible dog care at any age includes include routine veterinary visits and exams. Your dog's Veterinarian will regularly check your dog's teeth and gums forany signs of plaque, decay and other problems. Like people, healthy teeth and gums are equally as important for our canine friends and their overall health. Lack of oral care can cause other systemic problems like heart disease and arthritis.

It can not be emphasized enough that good health starts with diet for both people and our pets. A healthy diet should start the day you bring your dog home. By providing healthy and nourishing food early on, your dog will naturally develop a strong immune system protecting him from disease.

As your dog ages, take notice to his hearing and eyesight. Be aware that his coordination may become less trustworthy causing difficulty with stairs or just getting around. Strategically placed baby gates can make sure that your dog doesn't take a tumble or hurt himself.

Finally, make sure you provide lots and lots of love to your aging pet as part of your old dog care. Remember that your pet is the same loving dog he or she has always been, with just a small more gray hair and a small less agility. Shower him or her with lots of attention just as you always have, so that he or she still feels like part of the family.

Janie resides in the Pennsylvania area. With over 25 years of dog handling experience, she shares many articles on the importance of dog care and canine nutritional health.

Your Guide To Caring For Older Dogs.

A Valuable Resource For All Dog Owners.

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Keeping Your Dog Healthy in Old Age

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Keeping Your Dog Healthy in Old AgeBy Ty Magnum

Older dogs can have specific health needs you should watch for, because large breed dogs can begin to show signs of aging as early as 7 years, while smaller breeds may not begin to show signs of aging until they are 10 or even 12.

You may begin to see joint and bone problems that can lead to arthritis and other joint diseases in older dogs. Your dog may not be as active as he/she once was, and may have trouble going up and down stairs, or jumping onto a couch or into the car. Typically, your older dog won't have as much energy as they did when they were younger -this is normal.

Teeth and gums are a big issue with older dogs, which is why it is important to have regular dental checkups and cleanings throughout your dog's life. Tooth and gum problems can lead to a variety or diversity of other health issues, from difficulty eating (and losing too much weight), to bacterial infections and inflammation due to swollen, infected gums.

Eyes and ears can be problems as a dog or canine ages, too. Dogs can develop eye problems, just as peopledo when they age, and ear infections, which can affect a dog's hearing as they age. Older dogs will all develop health issues like these sooner or later, so dog owners need to be prepared for these changes in their pets, and learn how to recognize the signs of aging in older dogs.

Pet and brush your dog regularly, and watch carefully for bumps or lumps underneath the skin. A dog's skin and coat can deteriorate as they age, so more shampooing and conditioning may be in order, too. Just be more observant as your dog ages, and take your dog for regular health checkups to help combat aging health in older dogs.

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Boxer Dogs or, click here for info on Doberman Pinscher Dogs

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Old Dog Care

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Old Dog CareBy Hazel Ketko

How old is "old" for dogs? You may wonder. It is hard to say because dogs are individual in the way they age. Generally speaking, a small dog under 20 pounds may start aging around 12 or so. Larger dogs begin to show their age at around 8 or 9.

As our dogs age, there are numerous things that we, as dog owners, should do to make sure that our companions can stay as healthy as possible, for as long as possible. By providing special care to our aging dogs and by monitoring their health and behavioral changes on a daily basis, we can give our dogs better quality of life in the long run.

Things We Should Do For Our Aging Dogs

  • Add dietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbs, to their foods.
  • Keep their weight down - don't overfeed them. Match their caloric intake with their level of activity.
  • Give them more frequent toilet breaks.
  • Keep their teeth clean by daily brushing or using other dental products.
  • Groom and bathe them frequently. As dogs age, their skin glands produce less oil, which increases the chances of dry, flaky skin and matted hair.
  • Keep them active by regular and moderate exercise.
  • If our pets have arthritis, we should avoid activities that stress the joints. Make sure they have a warm and comfortable place to sleep.
  • Keep to a daily routine and avoid irregular lifestyle - Older dogs feel less anxious if they know what to expect.
  • As older dogs may have hearing or vision loss, do not move too quickly into their space or make sudden movements that might startle them.
  • Take them to the vet for regular medical check-ups - at least once a year, preferably once every six months.
  • Monitor their health and behavior on a daily basis. (See below)

Monitoring The Health and Behavior of Our Aging Dogs

As our pets age, we have to be more vigilant in preventing them from developing chronic diseases. Daily monitoring both the physical conditions and behavioral changes in our old dog can allow us to identify potential health problems at an early stage.

As part of an old dog care regime, we should pay close attention to the following:

Eating Habits

If you notice a sudden however persistent change in your older dog's eating habits, such as eating more (or eating a lot less), having difficulty in eating harder dry foods, drinking a lot of water, etc., then you should consult the veterinarian for possible health problems.

Weight Loss or Weight Gain

Any sudden loss or gain in weight is also an indication of potential health problems and a visit to the vet is called for. Monitor your older dog's weightby weighing him at least once a month.

Dental and Gum Conditions

Check your dog's gums and teeth while brushing every day. Watch out for any broken or loose teeth, swollen or bleeding gums, or any ulcerations in the mouth. Check also his breath. Bad breath can be an indication of health problems as well.

Body and Skin Conditions

Take 5 to 10 minutes every day to groom your dog and, while grooming, check his hair and skin conditions. Watch out for extremely dry hair or dry skin, sudden increase in hair loss, and any abnormal odors.

Give your dog a massage regularly. Not only will he "ooh and ahh" with pleasure, you can also take the opportunity to inspect his body - look out for lumps, bumps, or non-healing sores on the body.

Body Wastes

Be sure to monitor your older dog's toilet habits. Look for signs of urinary incontinence, chronic constipation, and chronic diarrhea. Also, watch your dog while he is "doing his business" to check for signs of pain while urinating or defecating. In addition, don't forget to check for the consistency, color, and odor of the wastes.

Mobility

It is natural that as our dogs age, they will move slower and tire faster. However, we should monitor their mobility closely so that timely action can be taken before they succumb to crippling ailments such as arthritis. If they are having difficulty going up and down the stairs, or if they are limping or show signs of lameness, we should get veterinary help immediately.

In addition, we also need to pay attention to the coordination of movement in our older dogs. We need to take our dogs to the vet if they start bumping into things or losing their balance frequently.

Behavioral Changes

Finally, we should also monitor any sudden change in our older dog's temperament (e.g. becoming aggressive, or suddenly developing signs of separation anxiety), since sudden behavioral changes can also be indicative of deteriorating physical health.

For more information on behavioral changes in aging dogs, please visit http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/aging-dogs.html.

Learn more about how to use herbs and other natural remedies for your dog's health: Natural Dog Health Remedies.com.