It may come as a surprise to some, but by the time dogs reach seven years of age they are considered to be entering their senior years; with larger breeds having the shortest lifespans.
For most owners, the slowing down of their once youthful and exuberant dog can be difficult and saddening to see. However, caring for an elderly dog needn’t be a daunting prospect; in fact, people who choose to adopt elderly dogs from rescue shelters often state that they are rewarded with some of the most precious experiences that any dog owner can have. Knowing what to expect, and preparing accordingly, will help to ensure that the dog’s sunset years are as happy, healthy and fulfilled as possible. Often, simple measures such as keeping the household routine as predictable as possible, or avoiding moving furniture in the homes of dogs that have gone blind, can provide much needed comfort and reassurance. There are even diets that are tailored nutritionally for elderly dogs, which can help fight off the signs of aging and avoid weight gain. Because elderly dogs are prone to age-related ailments such as arthritis, gum disease or sensory impairment, they need to be taken to the vets regularly for check ups. Early diagnosis and treatment can not only combat pain and slow the progress of many diseases, and thus increase the length and quality of the dog’s life, but it can also help to reduce any negative behavioural changes that are linked with pain or irritability; most notably aggression. Ensuring that the dog gets the correct amount of daily physical exercise is important too, as it helps to keep him feeling youthful and more mobile; with frequent, shorter walks being preferable to one long one. In addition, providing regular, positive, reward-based training sessions and food dispensing puzzle toys can offer much needed mental stimulation. Finally, it is not unusual for behaviour problems in elderly dogs to be linked to age-related degeneration within the brain, known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Dogs who are suffering from this tend to display behaviours such as barking inappropriately, pacing, and acting disorientated or confused. If this is suspected, the vet may prescribe specific drugs, or offer supplements, which may help. As our dogs grow old, it is clear that they need our patience and understanding more than ever. It is during this time that we have an opportunity to repay them for the years of joy, love and companionship they have brought us throughout their lives. If you are currently without a dog, why not consider rehoming a elderly dog from your local rescue shelter? © As the hectic Christmas festivities gather pace, it is worth taking a few moments to think about how this time of year can impact upon our canine companions.
This blog post is to help you avoid the potential pitfalls by offering advice on how to keep dogs and their owners safe over the holiday season. During this busy period, the consistency and routine of our regular day-to-day life can alter, leading to increased anxiety in some dogs. For this reason, it is important to try and maintain your dog’s routines, with particular regard to feeding and walking. Provision of a quiet, undisturbed, rest area will also help alleviate your dog’s anxiety, as he will be able to retreat there if things get a little too hectic, and this can be complemented with the use of an ‘Adaptil™’ plug in diffuser. Although a traditional part of Christmas, the decorated tree can be fraught with problems, so supervision of your dog whenever he is around it is a must. As well as seeing it as an invitation to urinate, some dogs may accidently knock the tree over, or even succumb to the temptation to play with the lights, tinsel or baubles! (Please remember to avoid hanging any chocolates on your tree). To combat this, try to make the tree as inaccessible as possible for your dog and provide him with plenty of his own exciting toys to play with instead, including Kongs’ and puzzle feeders. Also, if you happen to have a real tree, watch out for fallen pine needles injuring your dog’s paws, and if presents are kept under the tree, make sure that they do not contain food, otherwise your dog may have the perfect outlet for his natural scavenging instincts! It is important to realise that a lot of the traditional foods that we indulge in over Christmas are extremely toxic and dangerous to dogs, including grapes, raisins, chocolate and licorice; so any nibbles must be kept well out of reach. If you intend on giving your four-legged family member a Christmas dinner, please be aware that it may cause him to have an upset stomach, and foods that produce a lot of gas (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc.) should be avoided as they can contribute to the life threatening condition of ‘gastric dilation’. Finally, cooked bones must not be given as they may splinter and cause damage to your dog’s digestive tract. © |