Taking Care of Your Older Dog

The actual age of your dog is believe it or not somewhat breeding dependent. Large breed dogs show their age much sooner then small breed dogs. Health problems that are genetic tend to show in mid life in many breeds. The best advice is to know your breed. Mixed breed dogs in many ways avoid these problems of age but they have problems related to size. Large breed mixes can suffer from joint and muscle problems sooner then their small mixed breed counter parts.

Most people only visit their veterinarians yearly with other wise non symptomatic pets. Older dogs may need to go twice a year and have blood tests or other diagnostics done to evaluate their internal condition. Chronic conditions managed early do not need to end your dog life prematurely. Also your veterinarian can provide the most helpful advice on your ageing pets changing body. Weight gain and pain are common concerns in ageing dogs. Prescription dog food diets and supplements can help you manage these conditions and improve the overall quality of life for your dog.

Older dogs with joint pain problems can benefit from an orthopedic bed .These beds reduce the pressure points on your dogs joints and help them wake less stiff. When the dog is relatively pain free they are more likely to run and play. This lessens the need to change the dog diet to prevent weight gain. Glucosamine can help ease the effects of arthritis in older dogs. Also, canine aspirin can be given for pain. There are other prescription medicines for s pain in dogs but many can cause organ damage. You should consult with your veterinarian to find the drugs with the least side effects.

Weight problems lead to chronic health problems in older dogs. There are lower calorie dog foods out there and some that address the digestion issues in older dogs. You may be able to simply feed less of their regular food if you feel that your dog's digestion will be disturbed by a change in food. One friend of mine vet recommends adding a can of green beans to dry food to help fill up his ageing dog without providing unhealthy calories. Eliminating table scraps and giving low calorie treats can help as well.

Walking older dogs is a way to ensure they get the exercise they need to stay healthy. The older dog by instinct may just lounge about in the back yard if just let out to use the bathroom. You can make outside less challenging for the older dog by utilizing dog coats and sweaters to keep them warm. Older dogs with joint problems benefit most from the low impact on joint by swimming. if your dog has access to a pool this may be your best choice of exercise.

Lastly older dogs benefit from regular teeth cleaning. You can schedule the veterinarian to clean their teeth every few months, but you can also brush their teeth daily with pet tooth paste. Having healthy teeth means your dog can keep chewing his food properly and avoid nutritional or digestion issues.