An Old Dog Requires A Lot Of Tender Loving Care,
Yet They Still Enjoy A Little Fun As Well!
We would like you to meet our old dog "Lulu" who turned the ripe old age of sixteen in 2010.
It is with great sadness that we have to tell our visitors that we lost our old girl rather suddenly.
Lulu was the picture of health until May of 2010 when she started showing signs of illness.
Our old girl crossed the rainbow bridge on June 30, 2010 of a ruptured tumor at the Veterinarian's office. She will forever remain in our hearts. R.I.P. our sweet girl.
Keeping Your Old Dog Healthy
It's no accident that Lulu was extremely healthy, fit and full of life. It was through diet, exercise and emotional stimulation that she remained so healthy. Did we mention that she was also a cancer survivor for over three years. We adopted Lulu from a local humane society when she was two years old.
Besides being very thin, she was infested with fleas and had an infected ear which required surgery. Those were the obvious problems, but over the years she introduced us to a few more such as severe allergies and thunder phobia.
Many of the topics that we discuss throughout our website are based upon our own experiences with Lulu and our many other dogs.
View Our Slide Show For Helpful Tips On Keeping Your Old Dog Young
(Place your curser over the slide show screen)
-
Keeping Old Dogs Happy, Healthy and Full of Life
All too often pet owners give up on their dogs once they reach a certain age and start showing signs of slowing down. What dog owners don't realize is that age isn't the only factor that dictates how your old dog feels. There are many causes that determine how your dog ages, how well he feels with age and overall longevity. You might be surprised at what you as a dog owner can do to keep your best friend around as long as possible.
-
Food and Nutrition
Nutrition should be the number one concern for all dog owners despite age. Of course the earlier you start feeding good healthy food, the better. So if you get your dog as a pup, start right away and if you adopt an older dog, start immediately. Nutrition is the foundation for how your dog feels, responds and ages. Take it very seriously.
-
Rotation and Variety
The best diet for dogs includes a nice variety of proteins such as deboned chicken or chicken meal, salmon or salmon meal, turkey or turkey meal, lamb or lamb meal, etc. Grains should be limited if included at all. Be choosy of any grains included in your dog's diet. Excellent sources include quinoa and whole brown rice. Russet potatoes and sweet potatoes are excellent choices of carbohydrates for your dog. Our domestic pets need variety. Despite what you read that older dogs need less protein; that's absolutely not true. A healthy older dog may need up to 50% more protein than a younger dog. Keep in mind we are talking about a "healthy older dog". If your dog has kidney problems, you will want to check the kidney values first. Choose your dog food brand carefully and use the rotation method to provide your dog with the necessary assortment he needs to thrive.
-
A healthy dog is a happy dog...
-
Supplements/Neutraceuticals
Liquid Glucosamine
With age, many dogs become stiff, arthritic and their immune systems weaken. There are several things you can do as a dog owner to provide quality of life for your older dog. Supplements are one way to improve your dog's health or continue his good health well into the golden years. Liquid glucosamine with MSM products can help loosen stiff joints. If this alone doesn't work, there are many other products available both natural and traditional that can be used in combination with glucosamine to ease the pain of arthritis and/or hip dysplasia and keep your dog mobile.
-
Supplements
Probiotics are another excellent source to maintain or boost your dog's health. Probiotics strengthen the immune system helping your old dog to ward off illness and disease. They also help a great deal with digestive distress that many dogs face due to poor nutritional choices, sensitivities or foods that don't agree with the dog. Probiotics keep your old dog in check.
-
-
Exercise and Weight Control
Exercise is critical to your dog no matter what the age. Unfortunately, many dog owners ignore or think that because the dog has a yard, that's enough. This couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, many dogs will just stand in the yard if left alone. All dogs need movement; they need to be walking or running with the pack and believe it or not, you're the pack.
-
They need to walk and sniff their way around. By using their strong sense of smell, dogs learn a lot about what's happening around them. Like their ancestors, dogs sniff to learn who's been in the neighborhood, what species they are, type of dog they are such as dominant or submissive. While a walk might seem like an unnecessary chore to dog owners; it's critical to a dog's nature and well being. Old dogs often become constipated and exercise helps to keep them regular and manage weight issues as well.
-
Social Interaction
Dogs are very social beings and not meant to be isolated or alone. Canines that are given the opportunity to interact regularly are happy, healthy, confident and secure. Socialized dogs are typically very comfortable with humans as well as other dogs. Bonding is very important for your old dog or dogs of any age.
-
-
Make It Fun
This section pertains to providing your dog with simple fun. Instead of just placing a treat on the floor, make him work for it. Dogs love a good challenge, even old dogs. Instead of just handing him a treat, try placing it inside an empty box filled with crumpled paper or hide it somewhere and make him use that powerful sense of smell he has. Another idea is to place it inside a treat ball or dispenser.
-
Make It Fun
There are many healthier choices of entertainment for your dog today. Tripe sticks are one example of a low fat safer alternative to rawhide. Easily digested and dogs love them.
-
Respect His Rest
It's critical that your old dog get the rest he needs. Although he might still act like a spring chicken at times, remember that he needs more sleep than his younger counterpart. Respect his need to cuddle up on his bed and take a long nap.
-
Rest During Play
It's especially important if your dog is older to make him take a "time-out" during play periods. If the weather is warm, don't allow your dog of any age to play to hard without rest and cool clean water.
-
These Tips Will Keep Your Old Dog Smiling!
Once dogs reach the age of eight, many professional breeders and Veterinarians consider them to be seniors and old dogs. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to find the best dog products, dog supplies and
resources available for your aging dog.
Like younger dogs, older dogs need social activity to remain healthy and vibrant. A healthy supply of love and fun, combined with excellent nutrition, exercise and his favorite dog treat will liven-up almost any dog.
So re-energize your dog with good old fashioned fun including walking, ball time or whatever it is that your best friend likes to do. The attention and exercise stimulate their mind and body and ultimately keep them young.
We encourage our visitors and fellow dog owners to feed dog treats wisely. While we don't encourage feeding rawhide, due to the curing process we do recommend American made rawhide treats only to those that do.
An Active Dog Is A Young Dog
Although all dogs live for routine, old dogs especially
rely on it. A nice walk in a dog park or a good game of fetch provides great exercise and social activity for your old dog. A game of hide-and-seek with his favorite ball or toy
is a great at home game for your senior dog.
Remember, dogs love to work so spend a few minutes teaching him a new trick and he'll enjoy the attention as well as the special treats.
Another idea is to make him use his
"sense of smell" by developing a game of "Search and Rescue" which all dogs seem to love. Pick out an object such as a dog treat or toy. It's important that you allow your dog to thoroughly smell it. Make him
remain in position while you hide the object. Now, tell him to "find it" and watch that nose go. It might take a few times for him to catch on, but he will.
Since self esteem is critical for dogs and it's very important to make a big deal about his trick so that he knows he is still top dog no matter what his age!
Dogs and Family
That special bond that we have with our dog is indeed special. Our spouse, our children and our pets make up our family. They have their place in our hearts and in our homes. It's natural to want the best for him just like any other family member.
Remember, routine is one of the best things that you can give to your old dog, by providing consistency, your dog will be confident that you will always be there for him. In turn, you will have a content and well behaved dog that will bring you joy for many years.
Old Dogs Warm The Heart
And By Providing Time For Your Dog Today,
You'll Receive Even More Time With Him Tomorrow...
Although our website is a wonderful place to find pet care information, we encourage our visitors to make routine visits to the Veterinarian for professional dog treatment. Please use good judgment when making decisions for your best friend and if your old dog has any kind of medical condition, please check with your Vet first.
We don't encourage the feeding of rawhide and owners should always be present when feeding rawhide bones or any type of rawhide dog chew.
ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS:
