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Just like people living longer lives, there are many older dogs living longer lives than their ancestors. Some of the reasons for this are better foods, numerous vaccines against all types of viruses or germs, and much more advanced dog health care. There are also many treatments available for a wide assortment of illnesses that were not possible only a short time ago. Your dog today has a much better chance of making it to his older years, but there are many things to keep in mind when they get there.

An older dog has different nutritional needs than a younger one. There are special foods that cater to an aging canine, providing all the vitamins that their bodies need. You especially want to watch their daily caloric intake as they will be less active than they were when they were younger. This means their metabolism will be lower and they will be prone to gaining weight. Older dogs should not be overweight as it is a big risk on their overall health. Follow the guidelines on the food bag to keep your dog at the ideal weight in their golden years.

An older dog may also experience problems with their hearing and vision, similar to an aging human. It is always smart to take your dog to the veterinarian annually as recommended so these important things can be monitored. Like mentioned before they may also become less active and even develop arthritis. Arthritis makes it painful for them to run around like they used to, and may even make it difficult to do some of the basic things like going to the bathroom. You need to be patient with them and help them through this as it is no fault of their own. Your pet is simply aging like we all do.

One other thing to monitor as your dog become older is to make sure they get the calories they need. While you don’t want them to be overweight, you also don’t want them to be too skinny. Having dental issues can make it difficult for them to chew their food and cause them to experience a loss of appetite. They also may become depressed and not want to eat if they don’t feel well. Speak with your vet if this is the case as you need to make sure your pet is comfortable and getting the proper nutritional intake each day.

As dogs age they have different health needs than they used to. By knowing these and openly discussing them with your veterinarian you can help them stay happy and healthy through their later years. Your dog is a big part of your family. It is your responsibility to keep them healthy throughout their entire lives. With a little awareness you can insure they are as happy as possible even if they are less active.

James McDonald writes for discount-dog-products.com where you can find many types of discount dog products for a variety of uses. Plus we have many helpful articles on a variety of topics related to your canine family member.

Tags: arthritis, dogs, old dog, older dog healtharthritis, dogs, old dog, older dog health

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Most families have a first aid kit in their car and another at home. It is important because you never know when someone will cut a finger, bump their head or come down with a fever. Likewise most people would consider their dog as an important, loved member of the family. But what is in the human first aid kit could be of little use when your dog needs help. People medicines can even be deadly.

A portable Canine First Aid Kit is an important tool for all dog owners. And as your dog matures, it becomes essential. A well-stocked and organized box with supplies will be invaluable if your pet needs immediate care and may save you from having to make a trip to the vet. It could even save your dog’s life.

Remember that when giving a dog first aid, they are in pain and do not always understand that you are trying to assist them. Even if your pet has a great temperament and has never bitten anyone, you should put on a muzzle before trying to give first aid.

20 Essentials of a CANINE First Aid Kit

(And common uses for the items.)

1. Rubbing Alcohol (Tick and thorn removal.)

2. Antiseptic Lotion (Clean out cuts or scratches.)

3. Antibacterial Ointment (Prevent infection.)

4. Bandages or Rolled Gauze (Temporarily binding of wounds.)

5. Cotton Swabs (Remove debris from cuts. Antiseptic Application. Ear cleaning.)

6. Elizabethan Collar (Prevent dog from chewing bandages and licking wounds)

7. Non-sticking Adhesive Plaster (Apply to wound to keep dressing in place.)

8. Eye Wash (Wash debris from eyes.)

9. Rectal Thermometer and Petroleum Jelly (Take Temperature*.)

10. Muzzle (Prevent biting when treating the dog.)

11. Kaolin Pectate/Milk of Magnesia (Treat diarrhea.)

12. Top Quality Nail Clippers (Trim nails.)

13. Tweezers with rounded ends (Remove thorns or debris from wounds.)

14. Thermal or Regular Blanket (Maintain body temperature.)

15. Styptic pencil, cotton wool and gauze (Stop blood flow.)

16. Scissors (Trim hair near wounds.)

17. Flashlight (See in ears, throat etc.)

18. Eyedropper (Administer medications.)

19. Strong Packing Tape and pieces of wood or stiff cardboard (For Splints)

20. Towels–Paper and Regular (Stopping blood, drying etc.)

21. Veterinarian’s Phone Number/Emergency Number

It is also a good idea to ask your veterinarian for any recommendations on medications that should be kept on hand for emergencies.

*Normal Canine Temperature is 101-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3-39.2 degrees Celsius)

Copyright 2006 Dave Eckholm/Old Dog Paws

Dave Eckholm is the owner and creator of http://www.olddogpaws.com, a site dedicated to the care and comfort of our old friends. As our dog Tikki began to lose his eyesight and became grey around his muzzle, we were concerned for his quality of life. As a senior dog, he started to have special needs. We searched for new ideas, resources and products to enhance his life. Old Dog Paws shares this information, including a national pet sitter directory, with all dog lovers so your friend can enjoy wonderful senior years too!

Tags: canine, dog first aid, dog health, old dog, older dog health, senior dogcanine, dog first aid, dog health, old dog, older dog health, senior dog

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Dogs mature and age at much different rates, usually according to size and breed. It is commonly held that dogs live 7 years for every year that we man does. However, this serve as only a rough guide when converting and calculating your dog’s age as dogs grow up very rapidly in their early years and then slow down.

For example, a 1 year old dog is comparable to a 15 year old kid, at age 6, he is comparable to 40 years old in human terms. By 12, it is consider a geriatric dog and is equivalent to an 80 year old man.

It is generally believed that the smaller the dog breeds, the longer they live. Small breeds such as Terrier and Poodle may not slow down until 13 or 14 and could live to 17. On the other hand, larger breeds such as Great Dane and Wolfhounds rarely live pass 9 years.

Diet

A healthy diet for the older dog should be senior food that are formulated with low in fat and salt for a healthy heart, lower calories to help combat obesity since they are less active, lower protein to help the kidneys and liver, and higher fiber for the bowels to prevent constipation.

A switch to a specially formulated commercial diet for the older dog will usually perk him up. If you have no clues about your older dog’s diet, you should consult your vet for advice.

Medical attention

You’ll probably find that your older dog needs more medical attention than before because this is the time where age-related problems start to kick in. If possible, try to make more than just an annual visit to the vet and keep vaccinations up to date. A yearly geriatric screen, including blood and x-ray would also be useful to keep a closer eye on his health.

Patience

Patience is a key factor on your part when you deal with your beloved dog as he grows older. More often than not, he will develop age related problems such as tooth decay, periodontal diseases, vision impairment, hearing loss and also less active than before.

In any case, try to give them more time and understanding because they are not in their prime anymore. With enough love and care, older dogs can still continue their enjoyment of life well into old age.

Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels. ~ unknown dog

Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining.com. He provides more helpful information on dog obedience training, dog training book reviews and dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

Tags: geriatric dog, old dog, older dog, older dog diet, older dog health care, older dog traininggeriatric dog, old dog, older dog, older dog diet, older dog health care, older dog training

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