Even if owning a dog is one of the most incredible things that can happen to you, it does come with its share of difficulties. One of the most challenging elements of having a dog as a family member is seeing them grow older rapidly.
Most dogs reach their senior years at roughly seven years of age, with bigger dog breeds reaching their senior years a bit earlier. They tend to slow down, they may acquire weight more readily, and their senses begin to fade due to this condition.
Things your senior dog would tell you.
Age changes a dog’s demands. Observing the effects of aging can help you make your dog more comfortable. Although an older dog’s behavior will provide you with lots of clues as to what he needs, it might be helpful to put it into words. If your senior dog could communicate, your pet would most likely tell you the following things.
1. “I can neither see nor hear.”
If you fear your dog is beginning to ignore you, it’s possible that he doesn’t hear you calling or that he can’t see the ball you tossed in plain sight. Owners often overlook the indicators that a dog is losing sight or hearing until severe loss. One of the indicators may seem to be hostility at first: if a human approaches the dog and touches it without the dog knowing, the dog may respond defensively.
This might be due to discomfort in arthritic or sensitive places produced by the contact, but we’ll get to that in a minute. If you want the services of a reputable veterinarian like Argyle Veterinary Hospital, you can hit the web and search for results.
2. “I’m feeling a bit more nervous now.”
Senior dogs have a more challenging difficulty dealing with stress than younger pets. Separation anxiety (even to the point of being nervous at night since you’re sleeping and not aware of them), guests entering the house, socializing with new pets, new noise phobias, or just behaving more annoyed or irritated than usual are all possibilities. Some dogs may grow more attached, while others prefer to be left alone more often.
3. “I’m more susceptible to cold weather now.”
It’s not simple to maintain body temperature in elderly dogs. Therefore, they appreciate warm, comforting beds. A dog that can spend all day outdoors on a cold day will require a sweater and a bed near the heater. Maintaining your pet’s body temperature can reduce joint and muscular stiffness and assist him in avoiding diseases. For emergency purposes, it is always preferred to contact an emergency veterinarian. You never know when or where you will need their services.
Keep an eye on your pet’s temperature and look for indicators of coldness. If your dog needs a little more assistance getting warm, plenty of outdoor sweaters are available. Indoors, you may aid by placing the dog’s bed near a heat source or offering a plug-in heating pad.
4. “The joint pains have limited my mobility.”
Chronic arthritis is prevalent in older dogs. Joint discomfort may affect an elderly dog in many ways, from getting into the vehicle or downstairs to walking about in chilly weather. Giving your dog chondroitin and glucosamine tablets early on may help prevent joint troubles later in life.
5. “I have the same hunger but am no longer able to burn calories.”
Dogs over the age of seven are particularly vulnerable to obesity, which has many health consequences, from exacerbated joint discomfort to heart and liver disease. Older dogs are more prone to become obese due to a drop in energy and activity levels and a change in their calorie requirements. If your pet suddenly stops eating, it can be caused by dental problems. You can always search the net for the best results for a dog or cat dentist.
