Characteristics of Old Dogs
Old dogs, like old people, need extra TLC. Elderly dogs may have joint problems, diseases of old age, and they may need adjustments in feedings and schedules. As they age, dogs lose their youth and vitality and they will have special needs. Make sure you are meeting your senior dog's needs.
Photo of old Sparkie by vosta
Just as you look and feel older as you age, so does your dog! His hair will turn gray, he may lose some of his teeth, his muscles will actually shrink and he will become weaker; his sight may grow dim and his hearing may fail. Your senior dog’s brain will actually shrink, and messages will travel more slowly through his nervous system. This means that he will process what you say to him more slowly—he will take more time to react. Not because he is ignoring you—he just needs to figure out what you are asking him to do! Here are some tips to keep in mind when taking care of a senior dog.
Senior Dogs and FeedingIf you have one or more old dogs you will probably need to consider making some adjustments in the amount of food you give them. And make sure that your elderly dogs are getting a healthy dog diet. You may want to consider changing to a healthy dog food designed for seniors.Your senior dog has slowed down (using fewer calories). His intestines are not as efficient at absorbing nutrients, and his kidneys and liver are not working as well at filtering and detoxifying the wastes in his body. Special formulations for elderly dogs have all the nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy. This is the stage in your elderly dog's life when you might want to consider giving her
canine vitamins.
like Daily Vitamins & Enzymes for Seniors Your senior dog will still enjoy treats. If he is having a difficult time eating hard treats, consider giving him soft treats. I have included some senior treats recipes that you can make yourself: Consult your veterinarian. You will probably have to decrease the amount of food that your senior dog eats and you may have to feed her a dog food that has been created specifically for older dogs. Grooming for Senior DogsElderly dogs groom themselves less than younger dogs. Because your older dog is pretty tender, you will need to be more gentle when you groom her. Use a soft brush and remember that her skin is now thinner and can be broken easily.Dental Care for Old DogsContinue to brush your old dog’s teeth, even though he may have lost some of them. Pay particular attention to his gums, as a simple gum infection can get into his bloodstream and make him really sick!As your dog ages,
dog dental care
remains an important part of your pet's daily and weekly needs.
Eye Care for Senior DogsYour senior dog’s eyes may become a cloudy blue-gray. To prevent infection, gently wipe away any mucus with damp cotton. Also make sure that you wipe the skin around his eyes to keep it clean.Be aware of any changes in your elderly dog's eyes that might indicate
dog eye problems
like
canine cataracts,
dog glaucoma,
or
canine conjunctivitis.
Ear Care for Old DogsWax can build up quickly in your dog's ears, and it will become a problem. Check frequently. Pluck any hair from your older dog’s ears and clean out wax using a damp piece of cotton. Don’t use a Q-tip, as you can easily injure your dog’s inner ear--especially if he moves unexpectedly.Too much wax in your pet's ear can encourage ear infections. If your elderly dog has an odor, suspect that he may have an
ear infection
as this is the leading cause of odor in dogs--both old dogs and young dogs.
Joint Care for Senior DogsSenior dogs, especially the large breeds, can develop problems like arthritis in their joints. If your elderly dog is not getting exercise regularly, massage his joints and muscles by moving his limbs through their normal range of motion.If your dog is really having trouble with his joints, consider starting him on something like this product for Advanced Arthritis TOP of Page - Old Dogs Canine Diabetes Canine Diabetes Symptoms Home of Best Dog Treat Recipes
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