Pet Information > Dogs > Dogs Articles > How to Take Care of Your Old Dog?

How to Take Care of Your Old Dog?

25 16:02:48

It was like yesterday, when you chose him and brought him home, you bought him the very best accesories and the best food, also you trained him to be an obedient, faithful and devoted companion. Years have passed and so the youth of your dog. What remained untouched by the cruel years is his love and his attachement for you. You, both, raised a lot of memories from your vacations, from the days when you played together, the frolics in the cold and sticky snow, the evenings when he nestled near you in bed... now, your very best friend is old and can not support accompany you to long walks in the parks.

 

Now, you have to offer him an age - appropiate care, but do not let him become sedentary. For this reason, routine medical checks must be done often, also the analyzes so as the chances to detect, at time, a disease, to be in high percentage. As a rule, old dogs have problems with: joints, excess of pounds, teeth, musculature, they are, also, prone to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or different forms of cancer.

At an older age the four - footed needs a specific diet, most likely must cotain quality protein and few fat. Also, he must be encouraged to dring water freaquently because they dehydrate much more faster. Check his teeth, because the gingivitis is the most frequent disease at older dogs, because of that it is recommended to administrate dry food so as the tartar shall be removed.

We must, also, pay special attention to the enviroment where the dog lives, the stress must not be present in his life. Just like humans, they desire a relaxed life and deserve decent living. We can help him by reducing the noise level in the house and by not moving furniture or other objects because we will disorient him. Be carefull and examine his beahviour, you know him the best and you can figure it out when something is wrong so as to, if you find out that he is not ok, you will solve in good time the problem.

Do you know that old dogs can suffer form dementia and senility?

Some signs that indicate these kind of affections are disorientation, he does not responds when you shout his name, he forgets that he ate and demands food again, he forgets where he defecates and he does not want to go outside, he remains blocked in tight places, he walks chaotic in circle, he barks and frets with no reason.

If you see something like this, go fast to a veterinary for more investigations, so as to try to ensure a comfortable life for the time he has left.

Also, seniors, because of the circulatory problems they react to cold by shivering, involuntary teeth etc., in spite of the fact that they have a fur which should offer protection against bad weather.

Life expectancy at dogs is influenced by the environment and the nutrition they get. If they are well cared and they eat healthy food, it is normally for a dog to live many years.

Follow this tips and your companion will live longer!