Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be used for medicating your pet. Before giving your dog any medicines or home remedies, consult your veterinarian.
A healthy dog has a lifespan of 12.8 years, although certain breeds live longer. No one knows the exact age at which dogs enter their senior years, but they will likely enter this stage by the time they are 8 years old if they are a small to medium-sized dog, and 5 years old if they are larger. Dogs go through many physical and psychological changes during this period of time.
There are many common health issues that older dogs are likely to develop, including weight gain, arthritis, and gum disease. The deterioration of the senses is common as well. As a general rule, senior and geriatric dogs generally need lower-calorie diets to help prevent obesity — a huge problem in seniors — and higher-fiber diets to improve gastrointestinal health.
Common Symptoms
Obesity:
Weight gain is very common among all breeds of dogs because older dogs don’t get as much exercise, and as such, losing weight can be very difficult. It is much better to not let your dog get overweight than to try to make him lose weight when he gets older. But if your dog is overweight, then work very hard to help him lose the extra weight. It is one of the single most important things you can do to increase the quality and length of life for your pet. It is not appropriate to simply reduce the volume of their current food. This can cause malnourishment. Instead, it is important to choose a nutritional product that has fewer calories, but has a good nutritional balance
Arthritis:
As dogs age, particularly large and giant breeds, their joints can start to develop arthritis. The thinning of the cartilage where two bones meet can lead to inflammation and pain. Adding fish oil into your dog’s diet can help reduce the inflammation that occurs in joints. Several forms of exercise that are appropriate for dogs with arthritis include walking and mild controlled jogging, swimming, and underwater treadmills. All of these are commonly used as forms of physical rehabilitation.
Cognitive Dysfunction:
If your senior dog starts new behaviors like not recognizing people he knows well, staring or barking at things that are not there, or new circling or pacing behaviors, then he may have cognitive dysfunction. This is a syndrome similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans and should be treated by your veterinarian. The drug Anipryl, used by humans to treat Parkinson’s disease, has been found to dramatically improve symptoms and the quality of life for many dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
If your senior dog starts new behaviors like not recognizing people he knows well, staring or barking at things that are not there, or new circling or pacing behaviors, then he may have cognitive dysfunction. This is a syndrome similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans and should be treated by your veterinarian. The drug Anipryl, used by humans to treat Parkinson’s disease, has been found to dramatically improve symptoms and the quality of life for many dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Cataracts:
One of the major things that you may see as your pet ages is a cloudy film that forms in the lens of the eye. This could be the start of cataracts, which can form in the older dog, but these are far less common in dogs than in humans. However, the change you see could just be an old-age change that does not affect vision much at all. Dogs with this mild lens change can actually see perfectly well, and, in most cases, this cloudy haze will never develop into anything harmful.
Gum Disease:
When gum disease starts, there are no outward signs or symptoms. Though gum disease in dogs is regrettably common, it can be prevented.
Some symptoms of severe gum disease include bleeding or red gums, loose teeth, bad breath, or even not wanting their head touched. The specific treatment depends on how advanced the disease is. If discovered at an early stage, treatment is focused on controlling plaque and preventing attachment loss. This is achieved by daily brushing with animal safe toothpaste, professional cleaning, polishing, and the prescribed application of fluoride. The next level of treatment cleans the space between the gums and teeth. Sometimes the application of antibiotic gel is used to decrease the size of this space. In the more advanced stages, bone replacement procedures, tooth splinting, or guided tissue regeneration may become necessary.
Alternatives to Medication
Antioxidants:
Examples of antioxidants include vitamins A, C, E, and selenium. They can be found in many herbs and vegetables and protect against cellular damage. The best sources of antioxidants from natural foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Omega-3:
Omega-3s are very beneficial for nearly all of the body’s systems, especially for an aging dog. They can come from fish oil, flax-seed oil, and other sources.
“Good Food”:
Natural and organic foods and meats that have no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are examples of “good food”. Homemade foods are almost always better than processed. Remember that as your dog ages, he will need fewer and fewer calories.
Remember: Do NOT give your dog any new medicine, supplements, or home remedies without first consulting your veterinarian.
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