Why Your Senior Dog May Need More - Not Less - Care Than Your Puppy

As with humans, pets aging can bring about changes in their health and what is required. Taking care of them doesn't dwindle, so continue to have regular check-ups with your vet. Your elderly dog will probably need more care - not less - than your puppy.

Since our dogs can't verbally tell us something is wrong and it's their natural way of communicating, behavioral changes are often a clue that there may be a medical issue. Watch for changes in their appetite, water consumption, urinary/bowel habits, sleep routines, and general demeanor. If your dog suddenly becomes irritable for no reason, it may be because he is in pain, having difficulty seeing, or having a hard time hearing properly, according to Lorie Huston, DVM.

If you see changes, a checkup with the vet wouldn't hurt and is recommended to ensure there isn't anything serious. (Our pets can be good at pain management.) Drastic changes definitely require a visit to determine what needs to be done.

Diet needs to be adjusted as well. A puppy often needs a higher calorie diet as they are more active and growing. The need is for more calories and fats to keep them going. An elderly dog may not need that. Keeping their weight down is important for overall health. Since elderly dogs tend to not be as active, they can pack on the pounds if their intake is the same as when they were young and running amok.

But this can vary depending on what illnesses or diseases they are suffering from. What was good to eat before may not be suitable now, so choose a diet that is appropriate for your dog's age and health needs.

Like diet, your elderly dog's lifestyle - and your own - may need changing as well.

As dogs age, they may not be able to do what they used to. An older dog may have less energy or *arthritis pain, so they will need shorter walks. A dog that is going blind can be trained to follow scent trails using lavender or other pleasing scents. You can also 'baby proof' your home by covering sharp edges, so they don't run into corners of furniture. A deaf dog can be taught sign language, so you can still use your commands, such as sit or stay.

Dogs are very resilient and capable of handling new challenges, especially with your assistance. Reevaluate your dog's lifestyle as they age and account for any changes in their health. Small changes can help them live to their fullest and continue to be your happy, healthy companion.

* The taking of a liquid supplement, Glucosamine can often relieve joint pain caused by Arthritis.

Liquid Gluecosamine for Dogs (Vegetarian)
Can be taken by ALL dogs including those allergic to Shellfish or Beef

Liquid Glucosamine for Small Dogs
Suitable for dogs allergic to Shellfish

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Help Your Overweight Dog

After a great walk with your dogs, you notice they just seem really exhausted. You noticed on the walk they were really struggling, and now they seem worn out. It was just a simple walk, the one you have been doing since they were a puppy.

Something occurs to you for the first time- they look really heavy. You really have not noticed until this moment that they have gained quite a bit of weight. But surely this could not have happened overnight; this must have been taking effect for some time now.

Don't feel guilty, there can be several reasons why they have gained weight. The solutions are simple, and affordable. Loving your dog the right way is a sure key to them achieving good health.

Sometimes as we begin to get older and tired, we enjoy resting and assume our dog does too. But this does not always benefit the dog, and comparing their health and their needs to our own can be detrimental to them. So finding out what works best for them either through diet or exercise can really benefit them.

One way is finding out through your vet a good diet food, and talking over with them the amount of food you give to your dog. Sometimes we think they need to eat as much as we do, but this is a definite misconception. Smaller dogs especially, who are prone to weight gain, have small stomachs so picture how much food you are putting into their little bellies.

To control their weight, do not trust the labels on the dog food bag, which are put there to maintain dog weight, not contribute to weight loss. Calculate how many calories are in a cup of dog food, and after having talked to your vet, feed your dog the right amount of food according to the calorie intake. A vet can actually help you customize a weight loss program for your dog.

Another misconception is that a dog should have free choice when they should eat, so people leave food out all day. This is simply unnatural, because just like us, a dog will eat when they are bored, it is pure entertainment for them. So a solution here would be to feed them at scheduled times, depending on the size of the dog, and that way they eat because they are hungry, not because they need stimulation, which contributes to portion control.

If it is hard for you to do the scheduled feedings because of your busy schedule, there are timed automatic pet feeders that can aid you. There are weight loss foods available, but the precaution here is to avoid a food that uses carbohydrate fillers in replacement of meat leaving your dog feeling hungry after a while and increasing their stool production. Find a food with higher protein content so the dog feels more satisfied.

Exercise is always the best thing you can do, so if you are already exercising your dog, maybe you need to increase their daily activity. We all want the best for our beloved pets. Take their health as serious as you do your own and they will love you forever.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Help-Your-Overweight-Dog&id=9098926