As we all know, there is one thing that we can't control in this world, and that is the aging process. It's definite. It's continuous and it has a mind of its own.
When you adopt or buy a dog as a puppy, you go through the regular stages of puppy hood from catching Rover as he chews up valuable items to cleaning up constant accidents in the house. While the puppy era can be frustrating, it is almost bearable as you realize that they will grow out of it and become responsible adult dogs sometime in the near future. With each day, training will become easier as you and your puppy become acquainted. They'll learn what you expect of them and you'll learn how to communicate effectively perfecting the language of dog.
For the next few years, it's a peaceful journey as you and your dog live collectively in your home, respecting each other's boundaries. Visits to the vets are typically nothing more serious than vaccinations or perhaps Max had run too fast at the dog park and pulled a muscle. A gentle dose of pain killers for a week takes care of the injury and you're free to enjoy each other's energy shortly thereafter.
Later on down the road, you begin to notice the gentle telltale signs of your own dog as the aging process begins. At first, the signs are slight. They may walk just a little more slowly but perk up back to normal once they get moving. They may have minor aches and pains, again ever so slight.
Their faces may begin to turn gray and then fully white, as the fur on their backs begins to turn gray as well.
Eventually, they take a little bit longer to get up from a down position and it becomes clear that arthritis is bothering them a bit. Their joints are not as flexible.
Their teeth might not shine as brightly and their fur might not be as soft. You may notice they need to go outside more frequently and might sleep a little more.
It's during this stage of their lives that you come to realize your pup has finally begun the aging process. You now are the proud owner of a senior dog.
How To Care For a Senior Dog
What Can Be Done?
Sadly, just like humans we can't slow life down. It's going to happen at its own steady pace and with it is going to come a decrease in energy and some ailments. I always say that this is the only fault of a dog, in a joking manner of course.
The only thing that we can do is love our dogs (and other pets) the best that we can and make sure that they are as comfortable as possible.
Arthritis
If they do get arthritis, it is a good idea to speak with their veterinarian about a pain management program such as Rimadyl or Metacam that can be used to reduce inflammation in their joints. In addition, using glucosamine as a supplement will help ease the pain in their joints.
Teeth
If their teeth begin to decay, you may want to speak with their veterinarian about whether a dental is a safe and suggested procedure for them. If not, your veterinarian may be able to suggest a dog toothpaste that will help reduce plaque. When we had adopted Toffee, her teeth were already in bad shape, so when she was younger, we gave her a dental each year. While this helped, the decay on her teeth could never be reversed. It was too late to fix them and we accepted the fact that she'd never have perfect teeth, although she does still have a perfect smile.
As she got older, we decided against dentals, not wanting to test fate in her senior years. Instead, we brush her teeth regularly and have introduced an additive to her water bowl as an additional means of preventing further decay. It does help quite a bit and it's a regimen we adhere to.
Activity
Your senior dog's activity may also be reduced but they might still enjoy getting out for some fresh air and socialization. If deemed healthy enough to continue a daily exercise regimen, take it slow and be cognizant of when they begin to get tired. Use that distance as a gauge for your daily walks and use caution not to overdo it.
Cataracts
Caring for a senior pet is not always easy. With age, you may notice a film over your dog’s eyes, indicating the onset of cataracts and their vision might become impaired. You might notice them walking a little more cautiously or bumping into objects.
Hearing and Sign Language for Dogs
In addition, they may begin to have hearing problems. While it might be difficult to do with an adult dog, it is actually a good idea to train with sign language from as young as possible. Each time you give a command verbally, couple it with a specific hand movement signaling what you expect from your dog. For example, when you say SIT, make sure your dog is looking at you and use your pointer finger to point toward the ground. When you use the command STAY, hold your hand up indicating they should stay, etc. This is helpful for when they do get older and their hearing is no longer that great. Of course, if you do habitually let your dog off of the leash at a park, it might not be a good idea as they get older, as they won't be able to hear you warn them of danger or call them to come.
Obesity
To prevent obesity later on in a dog's life, it's important to keep their weight at an ideal range. Too much weight on a dog can be detrimental to their hips and legs, especially later on in life.
Heart Disease
As a dog ages, they may also develop heart disease. If you notice any changes in your dog's behavior or they begin coughing, become lethargic, have raspy breathing, it's a good idea to bring them to their veterinarian for a check-up.
Tumors
Many young dogs as well as senior dogs will develop a tumor during their life time. With any luck, the tumors will only be fatty tumors, however, it's always a good idea to have your veterinarian check these out and make sure that they are not cancerous and/or painful for your pet.
Euthanasia
Losing a pet is never easy, but unfortunately it is one of the drawbacks of owning one. Making that final decision is a personal one and only you know your pet well enough to determine if they are no longer enjoying life. I've lost many dogs in the past, including my heart dog, Buddy, and has definitely proven to be most difficult. Buddy had developed osteosarcoma and throughout the stages of his illness, I kept a journal and eventually, after Buddy made his journey to the rainbow-bridge, I wrote a book called Final Journey, which focuses on coping with the loss of a dog.
With each dog I've lost, I swore I'd never get another because the sadness is just too great, however, I realize there are so many dogs out there in need of a home, it wouldn't be fair to ignore them.
We don't always know what is bothering our dogs, but they help us learn how to care for a senior dog with subtle clues and body language. It may become somewhat stressful as you worry about their well-being, but you can still enjoy life with them, making sure that you take a little extra care and caution with them and ensuring that they are comfortable. It's the least we can do for an animal that has provided us with love, loyalty, and trust for their entire time with us.
Thank you for reading, "How To Care For a Senior Dog" by Elizabeth Parker- Author of Dog books for Dog Lovers!
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