Is Your Dog A Senior? The Answer May Surprise You!

There are countless articles and books on puppy care, but considerably less advice is available about caring for senior dogs. Senior dogs are wonderful, special beings and they have earned their right to enjoy a comfortable life, yet sadly many senior dogs are left to fend for themselves when they outgrow their cuteness. Older dogs comprise a considerable part of animals shelters because many people simply do not want to adopt senior dogs. Even those of us who lovingly vow to care for our dogs from puppyhood to old age often miss the signs (or unintentionally refuse to believe) that our precious pups are reaching their golden years.

First Things FirstI still call my black lab, Django, “puppy”. Even though she will be turning 4 this fall, I still recall adopting her like it was yesterday and while she is nowhere near a senior, she is far from a puppy. It is difficult for many owners to think of their pups as getting older but the more we prepare ourselves for our dog’s senior years, the more we can provide them better health and comfort.

Is your dog a senior or close to being one? On average, small dogs become seniors when they are about 7, but unfortunately, larger dogs age earlier. A big dog is usually considered old when they turn 6. Check out this chart from the American Veterinary Medical Association and see where your pup falls.

What’s Up, Doc?

If your dog is approaching seniorhood, the best thing you can do for them is keep up with their regular vet appointments. Common diseases that affect geriatric dogs are cancer, joint disease, heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease. Check out what ailments typically affect your dog’s particular breed and discuss these with your vet.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Older dogs still need their vaccinations, perhaps even more so. They may be declining in their friskiness, but parasites can still attack them. When worms, fleas, and ticks infest an older dog with a weakened immune system, the chances for complication rise.

Ch-Ch-Changes …

Consider what things your dog might no longer enjoy. While walks are usually always welcomed, perhaps a two-mile run is no longer good for a dog with ailing hind legs or a bad back. Again, discuss with your vet.

Tummy Troubles

Like people, senior dogs may not be able to tolerate the type of food or the amount that they used to eat. They also tend to gain weight more easily, which can affect already compromised joints. There are several dog foods on the market that your vet can discuss with you.

It’s Mental

Just like humans, our dogs can become mentally sluggish, and they can use the equivalent of a doggie crossword puzzle a day to keep that brain active. Talk to them, continue to ask them to perform tricks or give their paw and use the brain stimulating treat toys if they enjoy them.

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 :

Keep Your Dog Safe With These Holiday Safety Tips!

‘Tis the season for putting up decorations and eating delicious holiday treats, but that also means pets could be getting into serious trouble! Trupanion , a leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs, sees a 10% increase in foreign body ingestion claims and a 24% increase in toxicity claims during the holiday months each year. But you can keep your pets safe this holiday season with the below tips from Dr. Sarah Nold:

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

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