August Is Senior Pet Month!

At some point in our years of raising and loving our pups, they grow up. Sometimes it seems as if overnight we have an adult dog and that adorable puppy we used to know can only be found in our snapshots.

Then a few years after that, our dogs enter their senior years. It’s not something that many of us like to think about because watching our pets age can be hard, especially when they become less active and more filled with the pains of old age. Suddenly it seems, our dogs have trouble getting up, sleep much more than they used to, and have stomach disturbances.

August is Senior Pet Month, and any of us that have been lucky enough to raise a pet from babyhood through adulthood, and into their senior year years, nows that elderly pets have very specific needs.

One way to help senior dogs enjoy their later years are to find ways to take away the pains that come with aging. There are many things owners can do to help alleviate our dog’s discomfort and as Dr. Marty Becker points out, they largely can be broken down into three categories:

Less pain: Joints are a looming issue when dogs age but so are dental problems. This is why seeing a vet regularly becomes even more important. Dr. Becker recommends semi-annual visits for older dogs. Dogs with leg problems benefit from glucosamine and dogs in pain may need prescribed pain medication, not aspirin, which can cause ulcers.

Better food: Just as when people age, dogs don’t always feel like eating when they get older, and some have tummy troubles from food that never before used to bother them. So it’s vital that we turn to nourishing food for our senior friends. There is a plentiful supply of choices out on the market today and if you have trouble choosing one, ask your vet, who will more than likely be able to offer a suggestion.

Bedding: Plain and simple, things hurts when you are old even when you’re trying to sleep. Laying on a hard floor will only makes things worse. If your dog doesn’t sleep in the bed with you, he/she will feel better on a soft surface to lie down on. Luckily, the selections for pet beds are vast. Look for an orthopedic bed. If your dog does sleep in your bed, it may be time for doggy steps because those steep jumps just won’t cut it anymore and the last thing you want is for your already suffering doggie to fall and break something.

When my German Shepherd was suffering from hip dysplasia, one of the best products I ever bought were the food and water bowls on stands so that she didn’t have to exert any extra pressure on her back legs by extending her head down to the floor to reach her bowl. She was not eating well as it was, but those bowls, which were her height, enabled her to enjoy her meals again.

Here is a graphic addressing the special needs and highlights of raising a senior pet, courtesy of BlogPaws:

Image: Flickr/chase20

10 Strangest Items Swallowed By Dogs

My mother’s Schnauzer mix, Sha Sha, eats just about anything. I didn’t quite believe just how often she would quickly snap up everything in her sight until a few weeks ago when she swallowed a quarter and a nickel in the blink of an eye. The vet advised my mother to watch her for the next few days as the coins would likely pass. It’s a very common issue among dog owners and it doesn’t only happen with puppies. The majority of dogs do grow out of the need to eat inedible objects. It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what a puppy would eat so it’s best to be vigilant about where you dog is allowed to freely roam. Many dogs and puppies have been known to swallow seemingly unsuitable items, which you might not find in any way enticing or preferable, but they do. Check out this list of the strangest things swallowed by dogs as witnessed by the ASPCA :

10 Cold Weather Tips for Your Pets

The frigid temperatures around the country are not just inconvenient; they can be incredibly dangerous for our pets. It's important that pets are kept warm and protected from harsh temperatures. Experts say frostbite can set in in less than 15 minutes, and animals are not exempt from this despite their furry coats. While frostbite is bad enough, hypothermia is the most dangerous hazard when the weather gets this cold. Signs of hypothermia include “violent shivering followed by listlessness, a rectal temperature below 95°F (35°C), weak pulse, lethargy, and coma.” It can become fatal very fast. It goes without saying that every dog and cat needs to be indoors during cold temperatures like these. I would argue, however, that dogs and cats need to be indoors during any cold temperatures. If you are cold, they are cold, simple as that. Outdoors is no place for pets.

10 Most Common Medical Conditions That Send Dogs to the Vet

No one likes going to the vet, especially our dogs. Like many others, my dogs can sense when they are going way before we get there. They get nervous and hyper. Some dogs whimper endlessly at the vet’s office while countless others have fear-induced accidents right in the office. While regular check-ups and vaccinations are a necessary evil, we can try our best to keep our pups in optimal health thus avoiding another dreaded trip. Veterinary Pet Insurance compiled a list of the 10 most common medical conditions that send dogs to the vet. Some are unavoidable while others may be caught early on. Dr. Carol McConnell, DVM points out that many of the conditions that most regularly require vet visits “can be stopped early or successfully managed in partnership with a veterinarian. To prevent some of the discomfort that so many pets experience from common diseases, the place to start would be by checking them regularly for developing problems.” Check out the full list here at Babb

Some Puppy To Love

Search This Blog