Care For Older Dogs

As your dog gets older, you will witness noticeable differences in him or her physically. Their teeth will start to wear down and will change color. Their eyes may start to change color as well and start to appear gray or blue. The tone of their muscle will decrease and they won’t be able to get around as quick or as easily as they once could. As your dog ages, they also will start to experience various illnesses and chronic health problems. Because dogs are often like part of the family, you will want to be able to care for them as best as you can and in a manner that the dog is still experiencing a excellent quality of life. You want to make sure that you are very vigilant and that you watch them closely. Study them and see if they start to act differently, or if they seem to be in pain. It will be more vital than ever to get checkup visits on a regular basis so that your vet can pinpoint any serious problems. You may want to do this as often as two times every year. These exams should include a blood workup. If you are not sure of what warning signs to look for as your dog gets older, consider the following list. -Your dog suddenly needs a lot more water than normal -Your dog starts to throw up -Your dog starts to gain or lose weight. -Your dog suddenly has a change in their stools -Your dog may have a harder time urinating -Your dog’s stools suddenly become very loose or contain blood -Your dog may start going to the bathroom in the house -Your dog may appear weak in the leg area or have a hard time walking, running or sitting down -Your dog’s coat may start to look dry, flake or lose fur -Your dog may start having a hard time eating and digesting food. -Your dog may exhibit behavior changes. They may be more cranky then usual. -Your dog may start coughing -Your dog may start to have distress hearing -Your dog suddenly becomes easily labored Many dogs, as they get older, start to suffer from diseases of the heart and kidneys. They will start to have problems with their teeth and perhaps even their thyroid. If a dog is able to receive lots of excellent care, they can live for quite awhile even up to 15 years. But, this will differ based on their breed. Dogs that are neutered or spayed generally live longer. Some breeds of dogs such as Poodles, Airedale Terriers and Cocker Spaniels may live up to 20 years or more. Again, It depends on the breed, the individual dog and how well they are taken care of.