What changes can I expect in my senior dog?
There are many natural changes that occur during the aging process, and it’s important to be mindful of changes you may need to make to accommodate your dog’s shifting abilities, senses and preferences. Here’s a list of the common changes to expect as your pup ages:
Susceptibility to temperature in senior dogs
As their body slows down, some senior dogs may struggle to regulate their temperature as effectively as they did when they were younger. They may have trouble staying warm in the winter, or cool through the summer, so it’s important to take extra precautions to avoid issues such as heatstroke or hypothermia.
How to Cope With and Care for an Older Dog
Your senior pup might need to be switched to a diet that is designed for older dogs. A senior dog diet should be rich in vitamins E and C, and high in omega-3 fatty acids. Veterinarians like to see physical and learning exercises paired with an older pupâs diet because it keeps them mentally and physically active.
Your old friend might need to eat less or go to the bathroom more. Their beds might need to be more firm and warm. This can keep their joints from aching while they are resting.Â
Your veterinarian might also decide that your dog could benefit from psychoactive medications and dietary supplements, which may reduce some of the effects of the disorder.
Like humans, older dogs become more prone to heat injuries such as heat exhaustion. Itâs very important to make sure that they drink enough water and remain cool.
Itâs essential for your dog to have annual physical examinations by your veterinarian. It helps if you established a routine of taking your older dog to the veterinarian while they were younger. This provides a vet with a health baseline for them to judge your dogs progression or regression. Ideally, your older dog should see their veterinarian every 6 months.
If your dog is over the age of 5, you should start to look for any signs that might indicate they are losing some of their cognitive abilities. If you see any signs, call your veterinarian. Veterinarians run additional tests in dogs to ensure they arenât dealing with other health issues that can cause similar functional problems.
Keep in mind that your older dog may not be able to control their behavior as well as they once did. This is due to the changes that they are experiencing. Other health issues that might pop up in your aging pup are specific organ problems, kidney disease, diabetes, or heart issues.
If your dog is not responding as much to seeing their favorite toy or hearing its sound, then they might be losing their vision and hearing. It can be hard to tell unless there is a visual indicator such as cataracts. A visit to the veterinarian can help you identify problems.
As your dog ages, you should pay close attention to the cues that they are giving you. Observation is one of the best methods of figuring out what is going on with your best friend. You might be able to make them more comfortable. You might even be able to identify and treat an underlying condition that can give you both a few more rewarding years together.
Puppy Tormenting Old Dog – ask me anything dog training video
As your dog grows older, they’ll experience many changes, from greying hair to loss of mobility, vision and hearing changes, and more susceptibility to medical issues. While some changes may be more noticeable than others, it’s important to be aware of everything you can expect from your aging pup. Read on to learn everything you need to know, plus tips to keep them healthy during their senior years.