We all know that getting old isn’t easy! Many of our senior pets are experiencing problems with the ageing process which causes them to shy from walks and prevents them from enjoying life as before.
How will my dog start to feel their age?
The start of older age in a dog depends on its size and weight. Changes of behavior can be related to varying degrees of organ failure causing pain and anxiety in your dog. It is hardly surprising that if your beloved pet is feeling uncomfortable they may display changes in general activity, sleeping habits, incontinence, compulsive or aggressive behavior. This is like us getting dementia when we are elderly.
What can we do to help?
We have medicines that can help improve both general blood circulation and the central nervous system which offers hope for dementia based symptoms. What if my dog is on other medication? If your dog is receiving other medication there is usually no need to worry. Our vets commonly use prescribed medications together.
Other tips to make life easier for your ageing dog:
Regular health checks yearly, and in some cases more frequently.
Exercise, although dogs get stiffer with age, they still need to be exercise to keep muscles toned. Try to break up the days exercise so that walks are shorter but more frequent.
Remaining active and alert if often the best way to live a healthier longer life.
Diet, older dogs burn energy at a slower rate and tend to be less active. This means they need to reduce the amount of food they are eating. Dividing their food into smaller more frequent meals will aid digestion.
Teeth can be troublesome in old age, and it pays to take extra care of them. Regular brushing can help prevent further decay of teeth.
Keeping an eye on how your pet eats can give you an opportunity to spot dental problems.
