Old dogs
Senior citizen
In general, dogs aged seven years and older will start to slow down as they age and many of their needs will begin to change. With large breeds, these changes can take place a little earlier. Being aware of these issues, and continuing to give your dog lots of love and affection, will mean you can enjoy many senior years together.
A weighty issue
Hey, who're you calling old? Nine might be on the older side for a dog, but I'm still a young pup at heart! Although, I do feel the cold and aches more than
I used to... give me my
warm blankie,
medications and my
daily rub-down and
I'm good to go.
Obesity is an all-too common problem for older dogs and it needs to be monitored carefully as it can lead to a whole range of health issues, including diabetes, heart and respiratory problems and arthritis.
With less energy being expended it makes sense that you’ll need to adjust what your dog is eating. If you notice weight gain, try a low calorie senior food or a specially formulated ‘light’ product that is lower in fat, but still contains all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs.
Plus, pull back on the treats. As much as we love to spoil our best mate, sometimes we can kill them with kindness, especially where food treats are concerned. There are many healthy doggy treats on the market to choose from. Or why not try rawhide chews, which are also good for their teeth.
Speak to your vet about the diet they recommend for your dog or a special diet if they do need to lose a kilo or two.
A different approach to food
As dogs age, their sense of smell and taste can begin to fade and chewing can become more of an effort. Smaller portions of dry food and wet food with a higher meat content served at room temperature should help assist this issue.
Also, remember to seal dry food packets tightly to retain the aromas your dog responds to. Some older dogs will also start to prefer a little grazing as opposed to big meals, so if this is the case feed them smaller serves more often.
Arthritis
Keep an eye out for this common ailment in older dogs. Signs might include changes in the way your dog sits up or lies down and hesitation around stairs or steep inclines, slow to move or stiffness in the morning or sometimes be unwilling to want to get up. If spotted early, arthritis can be managed by your vet throughout your dog’s senior years, and good management can help improve quality of life as they age.
The information provided is general information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice. Medibank Private does not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information, representations or advice contained. To the extent permitted by law, Medibank Private accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by readers of this website as a result of or in connection with the information contained on this website (whether by way of negligence or otherwise).
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