Dog Lover Community

Nutritional needs change as a dog ages. Many breeds of dogs enter their senior years at 5-7. Like humans, as dogs’ age, their metabolism slows down. Obesity is one of the most common afflictions facing senior dogs. Stiff joints and muscles leave them wanting to run around less. As an owner of a senior dog, it is important to keep your dog exercising and it becomes more important than ever for your dog to get proper nutrition.

Quality dog foods will breakdown the specific ingredients. Read the label to make certain your dog is getting the best food for his needs.

In 100 grams of food there should be:

1.2 Grams of Fiber
0.55 Grams of Calcium
14 or Less Grams of Protein
9 or Less Grams of Fat
Less than 0.28 Grams of Sodium
Less than 0.33 Grams of Phosphorous

Vitamins also are important to the mature dog.

Vitamin Baids metabolism and appetite
Vitamin Aaids muscles and eyes
Vitamin E.aids muscles and eyes

Shopping Tips for Dog Food from the Animal Protection Institute

Meat should be the first ingredient.
The label should have the AAFCO Guarantee.
Avoid if corn is listed two or more times in the top 5 ingredients.
Check expiration date.
Avoid foods with chemical preservatives like ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA.
Look for foods with natural preservatives such as tocopherols, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Avoid bone meal, meat meal and other by-product ingredients.
Rice is the most digestible of all grains. If grain is in the formula, rice is a good choice.

As always, check with your veterinarian before changing diet and supplements. Your vet can often recommend a prescription dog food that will be just right for your pet’s changing needs. Keep your dog moving and eating right so you both can enjoy his senior years!

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 with all dog lovers so your friend can enjoy wonderful senior years too!

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Dogs can live very comfortably in small apartments (and so do their owners). What kind of dog will make the best roommate? That’s a trick question. It’s really no about the dog, but the owner.

Five questions to make a wise choice:

(1) Size

Size isn’t important (unless your landlord or condo board has rules).

How big is too big? I’ve met 70-pound couch potatoes and 9-pound balls of energy.
Small dogs can be noisier and can shed more than big dogs - sometimes!

Of course, in a 500-square-foot apartment, you may feel crowded if you invite a
Great Dane to share your space.

(2) Exercise Needs

How much exercise will Fido need? Even in a big house, your dog would need to
leave for exercise. Running around a house or yard is not enough. Dogs need to
walk to bond with their owners. They need to play and run.

But some dogs tend to be couch potatoes. Others need two or three hours a day —
running at full speed. Investigate before adopting. And decide where you’ll take the
dog for exercise.

(3) Socialization

Does your dog have a history of friendliness with people and other animals? City
dogs encounter neighbors, both canine and human, in elevators and on sidewalks.
You don’t want to referee fights on a regular basis, let alone pay huge fees for
doggie damage.

(4) Obedience.

Are you willing to sign up for obedience training? Nuisance barking can usually be
ended with training, and training should be your first priority after Fido comes
home. If your dog displays destructive or hostile behavior, consult a trainer
immediately to see what you must do - or recognize that this dog, alas, may not be
right for your lifestyle.

(5) Time out for the Owner.

Have you located overnight care? Doggie day care? Most urban areas offer several
options. Fido can run around for a few hours while you shop - a real treat, especially
in the rain.

Dog Fanatic Cathy Goodwin wrote Arf! Dog Health Comes Home: Tips and resources
to care for your sick, injured and senior dogs. Download your copy at
http://www.dog-health.org

Tags: city dog, dog adoption, dog health, doggie day care, dogs, senior dogcity dog, dog adoption, dog health, doggie day care, dogs, senior dog

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There’s a hole in your life that only a dog can fill. You want a special dog, perhaps just a full-grown adult. Maybe your code of ethics calls for saving a dog’s life - not buying an expensive purebred.

I’m not a veterinarian or a dog trainer, but I’ve enjoyed two successful adoptions.
Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way.

(1) Clarify your requirements ahead of time.

Once you’re standing in front of a cage, it’s easy to say, “Well, he’s a lot bigger than
I expected, and I really wanted a female, but oh he’s SO cute!” No amount of love or
training will help if your dog needs more exercise than you can provide.

(2) Know the difference between shelter and rescue groups.

Most cities have humane societies where you can view dogs and make a choice.
Rescue groups typically hold animals in foster care - which is good, because you can
ask the foster mom all sorts of questions. For example, they can say, “This dog lived
with two cats so you know you can trust her.”

(3) Be prepared to pay.

Shelter animals are not free, but you do get value for money. Expect to pay a fee
that may include spay/neuter costs, licensing, and/or veterinarian visits.

(4) Consider an older dog.

By the time a dog has turned three or four, she’s as big as she’s going to get. No
surprises! You’ll also have clues regarding his temperament.

(5) Plan to confine the dog during a period of transition.

Your new dog doesn’t get it. She was in a loving home (or left alone in a yard all day
or even abused). Then she spent a few weeks in a cage, feeling lonely and isolated.
Maybe she’s been passed around to multiple homes.

Bottom line, she’s stressed. She may chew, dig, bark, or even lose her house
training at first.

Crating the dog prevents destructive behavior. My dogs both looked visibly relieved
as they retreated to their crates every day. “Time to relax,” they seemed to say.

(6) Invest in training.

Most dogs are turned over to the shelter because of behavior problems. If you’re
new to the world of dog behavior, take a class or hire a professional. Most behavior
can be corrected, even among older dogs. But if you’re not sure, ask a professional.
Some behaviors can’t be “fixed.”

(7) Incorporate large doses of exercise and walks into your day.

Walking together builds your bond and a tired dog is a good dog. Begin the exercise
program immediately so you can gain a sense of how much exercise the dog needs
- an important factor in the dog’s adjustment - and start training for the basics on
the way home from the shelter.

Dog Fanatic Cathy Goodwin wrote Arf! Dog Health Comes Home: Tips and resources
to care for your sick, injured and senior dogs. Download your copy at
http://www.dog-health.org

Tags: city dog, dog adoption, dog health, doggie day care, dogs, senior dogcity dog, dog adoption, dog health, doggie day care, dogs, senior dog

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