Senior dogs have different care requirements than those of a younger dog. Veterinary visits, nutritional diets and blood work become all the more important in the later stages of their lives.
When does a dog become a senior?
A dog becomes senior usually when it hits eight years of age, although breed, genetics, nutrition, environment all play a role in how fast your dog ages.
What are common senior dog health issues?
Senior dogs often suffer from kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, dental disease and other conditions that may result in weight loss. Some senior dogs become less tolerant to exercise and become “couch potatoes,” which has its own variances of problems, including weight gain. Which, as you can imagine, would be hard on an older dog that has arthritis.
How should I care for my senior dog?
Since dogs age much faster than humans, a lot can change in a year. We recommend doing bi-annual exams and yearly blood work, as certain levels in the blood can reveal more than just a physical exam can and the sooner we can address problems and initiate treatments if necessary. Also, one of the things that are easy to do and control is feeding your pet a nutritional diet. There are many diets that help keep them from gaining weight, help treat arthritis issues and even more specialized issues like kidney problems.
