What to expect when dog turns 5?Some dogs become more defiant, lethargic, aggressive, and fussy about food, potty habits, and weather or are prone to injury. On the same note, a smaller dog may reach their peak at 5-7 years. You may need another tip in training because of a possible peak energy span.
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Everybody gets old, including your dog. That adorable little pup that grew into your constant companion may be showing signs of getting old, both physical and mental. Different breeds and sizes of dog age at different rates. A large breed like a Great Dane is considered senior at around six years old. A small dog, like a Chihuahua, for example, may not be considered old until they are seven to ten years old. The more tuned-in you are to the typical signs, the sooner you can help your dog age gracefully.
Puppies and How to Take Care of Them
Life Stage No. 1: Puppy. Your dog is a puppy from the time its a newborn until its able to reproduce.
This happens at different ages, depending on the breed of your dog. Small breeds tend to reach sexual maturity earlier than larger breeds.
Weaning. Puppies slowly switch from their mothers milk to eating other foods when theyre 3 or 4 weeks old. They should be fully switched over from milk to food by the time theyre 7 or 8 weeks old.
Feeding. The number of feedings per day changes as your puppy gets older:
After age 1, feed your dog once or twice a day. Tiny dogs may need more frequent meals.
Dental Care. Dogs may show signs of gum disease by age 4 — or even as early as age 1 in some small-breed dogs — if you dont take proper care of their teeth. So the right time to begin proper dental care is when your dog is still a puppy. To clean your puppys teeth, use a special toothbrush made for dogs or else use a clean piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. You can make your own toothpaste out of baking soda and water or buy one that is specially formulated for dogs. Never use toothpaste thats meant for people.
House training. You can introduce the idea of house training as soon as your puppy is weaned. They are still developing, though, so dont expect them to learn quickly. By the time they are 4 to 6 months old, they can usually go without having accidents.
Spaying and neutering. You may want to have your puppy spayed (removing females ovaries and uterus) or neutered (removing males testicles). These operations keep dogs from reproducing and having more puppies. They are usually done when your puppy is around 6 months old.
Spaying and neutering while they are puppies rather than as adults can help prevent problems like breast cancer and testicular disease when they get older.
Vaccines. Dogs need several rounds of vaccinations or shots during their first year. Talk to your veterinarian about which ones your dog needs and when to get them.
In these three stages your dog is in the prime of their life. The ages for these stages may differ with each breed, but here are some guidelines:
Life Stage No. 2: Junior. Now your dog is kind of like a teenager. Although they can reproduce, they are still growing, so are not quite an adult yet. Their age in this stage ranges from 6 to 12 months.
Life Stage No. 3: Adult. Your dog is officially an “adult” once they have finished growing. They look and behave like a grown dog. Their age ranges from 1 to 7 years.
Life Stage No. 4: Mature. Your dog has hit middle age! Their age is older than 7 years. Breeds that are smaller — as measured by weight, not height — tend to live longer than bigger dogs.
While theyre usually easier to care for than puppies, grown dogs still need your help with a few things so they can live their best:
Exercise. No matter their life stage, be sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. It will help keep them happy and at a healthy weight. Just donât overdo it, especially in large and giant breeds, because their skeletons are not mature until about 2 years of age.
Vaccines and visits to the vet. Take your dog to the vet every year for a checkup and vaccines to protect them against disease.
My Dog’s Epic Birthday Party On An Island | Haru Turns 5
Your pup’s first birthday is an important milestone in their life, as they start to transition from puppyhood to adulthood. While every dog is unique, most dogs reach adulthood between the ages of 1-to-2 years old. As your dog grows, you can expect some changes to occur both behaviorally and physically. Continuous wellness care becomes more important than ever as their bodies and needs change.
The team at Blue Valley Animal Hospital is here to break down those changes so you know what to expect when your dog turns one.