All of our dogs are aging. Giant breeds will age more quickly than smaller breeds. For example, a Great Dane is considered to be a senior by 5-6 years of age, while a Chihuahua is a senior around 10-11 years. However, age is not a disease. Improved medical and nutritional care can make a difference when it comes to caring for your senior furry friends. We have some tips on how to keep your senior dogs healthy.
Pay attention to the small changes
Older dogs can start to have a loss of depth perception or vision loss. If your dog is bumping into walls, furniture or stumbles down the stairs, have the eyes checked. Although vision loss is a common aging process for many dogs, there are ways that we can help your senior dog manage these changes.
Alterations in urination and defecation habits can also be an indicator that your furry friend needs a check up. Urinating more, straining to urinate, or having accidents in the home can be signs that your senior dog needs some help. The good news is that many times changes, such as urinary incontinence that can lead to urinary tract infections, can be managed with medications.
Bad breath and dental disease are common findings in our senior furry friends. Many times having an evaluation and getting a dental cleaning at your veterinarian’s office can do wonders for your dog’s oral and overall health.
Weight loss, many times, is easily managed with a tastier food that has more calories. To prevent excessive weight gain, offer a diet designed for less active dogs. However, before you buy that new bag of food, have your veterinarian evaluate your pet to see if there are any underlying diseases that may be causing the weight change.
Difficulty getting up or down off the floor can be a very subtle difference that we see in our senior dogs. Osteoarthritis can affect movement but also your dog’s behavior. Consider discussing these changes with your veterinarian. There are many new medications and techniques that can help. For information about special harnesses designed to help your dogs get up click here.
What owners can do for their senior dogs
Senior dogs have changing health needs as they get older. Having regular veterinary check ups can help diagnose, manage and treat age related changes early. If you have any questions about your senior dogs call your veterinarian. For more information click here.