The first thing you need to know is that each breed of dog is different in its determination of old age. Many of their smaller breeds tend to be around 10 years old when considered seniors. This changes a lot, so do some research on the breed of dog you currently own so you can know roughly when to expect these changes to occur. Larger dogs are generally considered seniors at five years of age.
If you can’t find any information on aging for your particular dog breed, you should call your local veterinarian and ask if they can provide you with that information. If your vet tells you that your dog falls into this category, he should make sure to pay close attention to how your dog behaves and moves. Older dogs like this get sick much more often than younger dogs, so don’t be surprised if your trips to the vet seem to increase. You may start to see your dog start to move much slower than he used to, which is a definite indication that he is officially a senior dog.
An important aspect of caring for a senior dog is his diet. As your dog ages, he will need to change the type of food he eats to make sure he is getting all the vitamins, nutrients, and protein he needs to be strong and healthy. It is essential to buy foods designed specifically for older dogs. This food will not only provide your dog with nutrients but will also help your dog maintain the correct weight.
Something that most people tend to neglect is taking their senior dog out for some good healthy exercise. Just because your dog is getting old doesn’t mean he’s dead! Your dog still wants to play and have fun with you, so feel free to take your dog for a walk and play with him or her. They will enjoy it and it will help them stay fit and healthy.
Many older dogs are prone to arthritis in their joints, which makes it very difficult for them to move. You may start to notice that your dog has a hard time keeping up with you when you take him out, or that he sometimes looks a bit stiff. There are two things you can do to help reduce your pain during this time. One of them is to help your dog lose weight and lose a few pounds. You can also take him to the vet to check him out and give him some medicine to help him with his bread.
An older dog needs even more attention, love and special care than a young dog or puppy does. This means that you will have to sacrifice a little more of your time to try to monitor your dog’s health and make sure that he receives the proper care. Also remember to keep a close eye on your senior dog’s diet.