Though you might still remember your dog as a bouncing happy puppy, the years have a way of passing and when you are in a place where your dog is older, you need to expect some changes. Dogs age much like humans do and as they get older they are going to be showing it. How can you tell when the years are catching up with your dog and what do you need to be on the look out for? If you are watching your dog closely, you are already taking the most important step. Simply making sure that you know what to expect can make a huge difference in your ability to cope with your dog’s health needs.
The first thing that you might notice is that your dog’s energy is going to decrease and along with that, their metabolism is going to drop. Have you noticed that your dog is simply beginning to prefer sleeping to roaming the house? One issue that you need to keep in mind is that if you feed your dog the same amount of food that he was getting when he was younger and more energetic, you might notice that he starts to gain weight. Weight gain can be a real problem for dogs as they get older, so consider what kind of food you want to feed them. A diet that is higher in fiber and lower in fat is something that can be very beneficial to your dog. If your dog is not eating quite as well as you would like him to, supplements an also be recommended.
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Whether you have raised your dog from a tiny puppy or you have recently adopted an older animal, you will find that as dogs get older, their needs change. Just like people, their bodies are going to grow frailer and unless care is taken, their health can deteriorate a great deal and very quickly as well. Take some time and consider what you need to do to maintain your dog’s health and what steps need to be taken.
First and foremost, when you want to make sure that your older dog stays healthy, make sure that you take some time and observe him, i.e. how he acts (both mentally and physically), does he move around comfortably, etc. Does he look as if he is moving more stiffly or is he hesitating when he first gets up? Some dogs will show their age through generally being less eager to play, while there are certainly dogs that don’t want to slow down at all and will end up hurting themselves in their enthusiasm. As your dog gets older, take some time and make sure that you keep an eye on how he looks. Regular visits to the veterinarian are going to be essential as your dog ages, and you will discover that these visits can keep you appraised of issues that might not have occurred to you.
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You think of a 5 year old as very young, however, when your dog turns 5, he is beginning to enter his senior years. Your dog will begin to experience the same health issues as his human family. As you begin to notice changes in your dog’s appetite and behavior, schedule an appointment with the veterinarian for a complete evaluation. This exam will give the vet an overall picture of your pet’s health by determining potential problems, addressing and treating current problems, and supporting you in caring for your aging companion.
Changes take place in your dog which effect activity level, appetite and digestive system, hearing and vision, skin and coat and behavior. Your dog’s activity level slows down because his metabolism slows by about 30%. Your best friend may still show an interest in active play, but arthritis will cause him pain and decreased mobility. Today there are prescription drugs to deal with arthritis, similar to the medicines we take. Only your vet can decide if these drugs will be appropriate for your dog. High quality, human grade pet vitamins have been shown to support the overall health and wellness of dogs by providing essential Omega fatty acids, antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients.
The decreased activity level and slower metabolism will naturally effect your pet’s appetite as well as his calorie requirements. There are many high quality pet foods that are specially formulated for senior dogs. They provide complete nutrition but with a lower fat and calorie content. The decreased fat content may result in your dog’s skin and coat becoming dry. A dietary supplement, in the form of a high quality pet vitamin will help maintain your dog’s healthy skin and coat.
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