Pet Information
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dogs and Old Age, How To Care For Your Aging Canine
Now that you're dog has shown you so much love and brought you so much joy throughout your many years together, it's time that you return the favor when the dog reaches his elder years. Caring for an older dog is much like caring for an elderly person. Knowing how to do that will help comfort your dog immensely. What's old for a dog? The first thing that you've probably heard is the seven-year rule (that your dog ages seven times faster than a human). While this is pretty much accurate, some dogs (or breeds of dogs) show signs of aging earlier than others. So, you're going to have to know what signs to look for to ascertain whether your dog has officially reached his "golden years." Senility is not just for humans. If your dog is older than seven (human years), then he's officially becoming older. While some dogs may show signs far after seven, you may notice some of the following characteristics once he reaches an older age. You may notice that your dog has lost some of his housetraining skills. He may soil or wet the area, especially through the night when lying down. He may have trouble chewing food due to loose teeth and sore gums. He may suffer from cataracts or even partial or full blindness. He may gain weight more easily. Weigh your dog every couple of months. If you notice large lumps under his skin, it's advised that you consult your veterinarian, as this may be a sign of a possible tumor or cancer. Your dog may even become grumpier. While it's impossible to cure all of the maladies that accompany age, you can comfort your dog and make his older life enjoyable. Medication can help There are many drugs out there that can help your dog. While it's not advised to give your pet too many medications, there are some that can help if he's suffering joint or hip pain. If your dog seems extra tired or sore one day, go ahead and skip his daily exercise routine. If it last more than a couple of days, talk with your vet. Install a partial ramp over the steps to and from your house so that your dog doesn't have to deal with the harsh incline on his joints. Massage and rub your dog's muscles. Studies have shown that physio- or hydrotherapy can be extremely beneficial in your dog's elder years. Grooming offers relief Be sure to clip your older dog's nails as he probably doesn't run about as much as when he was younger. The nails won't naturally keep trimmed down, so you'll have to be sure to keep his nails under control. If you don't want to do it yourself, veterinarians usually provide this service. Your dog may become senile. While this is normal, some cases are so severe that they are compared to Alzheimer's. There are dog drugs, like those given to human Alzheimer's patents that have proven effective. Routines are welcome Be sure that you keep your dog on a regular routine. Exercise him daily. Control his weight. Buy high-quality food and groom, pet and cuddle with your dog frequently. Visit your vet at least once a year to screen for diseases. Buy an orthopedic bed mat for your older dog. Disabilities can occur If your dog is blind or nearly there, you can make a home solution of vinegar mixed with water to spray (about nose high) onto door frames and sofas so he doesn't run into them. Also, don't move furniture around. For deaf dogs, tell everyone (especially children), not to approach your dog too quickly. Be sure that the dog sees anyone coming towards him. Caring for an older dog can be just as hard as caring for a puppy. Your dog will take kindly to the adaptations you've made, which will make his "golden years" truly shine. About the Author:
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Afraid To Buy A Horse At Public Auction? Here are 5 things to do to put the odds of getting a good horse in your favor.Let me share a short story with you about public horse auctions and my friend Jack. Tips that May Help Your Arthritic Dog Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The cause can be abnormal bone or joint development, instability of the surrounding ligaments and tendons, damage or injury to the joint, an infection, or injury caused by the immune system. Breeding Your Goldfish If you are keen on breeding Goldfish, you should know that it's not an easy task. It will take a lot of patience, a lot of space in the tank and quite a bit of money too. History of Dogs? Or Maybe Wolves? OriginDo you know that the adorable little puppy you bought home last week could possibly be a descendent of a wolf? It may well be true! In fact, many theorists believe that wolf is the direct ancestors of domestic dog. Nevertheless, there are just as many who argue that it seems impossible to have over 400 varieties of dogs descended from just one species. Vaccinating Our Pets I'd like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I cannot tell you legally what to do since I'm not licensed but I can share with you what I do with my own pets - or in had done!I actually believe several things happened to my own dogs due to the practice of overvaccinating. Bark Collars: Stop Unwanted Dog Barking Bark CollarsMany pet owners become lost as to what to do when their dog is barking and nothing seems to stop him. Maybe it doesn't even bother the pet owner himself, but the neighbors are complaining. How To Keep Your Dog Safe in the 21st Century For thousands of years, dogs have been "man's best friend." Dog-loving humans have tried to keep their pets safe in return. 7 Good Reasons to Have Your Cat Spayed or Neutered Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat spayed or neutered. This decision is made for several different reasons, all of which illustrate why it is such a good idea. Dog Worms -- Dont Let Them Get Started There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was about two AM, when beneath our bed the new puppy we'd brought home from the pound just a month earlier began screaming. You Dont Get a Second Chance! I'm sure you're aware of the bad reputation Pitbulls have. That reputation is mostly based on ignorance and irresponsible owners that don't take the time to learn about the breeds special needs. Stop Your Dog From Pulling You Down The Street From the first day of life on a leash, most dogs learn that by pulling on it, they get to where they want faster. Its the behavior that so many dog owners struggle with. Distemper in Dogs - Home Detection Tips Distemper: Spotting This Dog Killer Before it's Too LateCanine distemper is a devastating disease. It often crops up in seemingly healthy pets without any warning. West Highland White Terrier - How To Capture the Best Pictures of Your Westies For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is a beloved member of the family. Like your children, you will want to capture pictures of your Westies from the time they are puppies until they are old-timers. 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According to Dog Training Experts10) When trying to settle a puppy into a new home, providing them with a warm hot water bottle and placing a ticking clock in the room where they sleep will help to replicate the body heat and heartbeat of their litter mates and can really help them to relax in their new environment.9) When taking your puppy to the Vet for its first inoculations, health checks etc, it is good practice to sit with your puppy on your lap and not have him or her on the floor. Choosing a Vet For Your Dog - A Dog Owners Checklist Most dogs live between ten and seventeen years. The relationship you have with your veterinarian is going to be a long one. Ticks On Your Dog: What to Do? Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest, ticks are of growing concern for their Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease-carrying ability. Learn the facts, and keep your dog tick and disease-free. Kids and Pets, Will it Work? How can my child benefit from having a pet?1.Social skills and self-esteem. A Dog Day Care Franchise - Is It Really Worth It? When you take into account that there are over 68,000,000 dogs in the United States alone, you can see why many people consider taking advantage of a dog day care franchise.However, before you even think about a dog day care franchise, please do a self evaluation and make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Flea Control for Pets Flea control can be a very hard thing to do especially if you live in areas where fleas are largely populated. Weather has a lot to do with fleas and trying to keep them outdoors and off of your pets can be very challenging. Choosing the Right Size for Your Dog Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite affordable for anyone and everyone to enjoy with their dog, but not everyone knows the best ways to find their dog's size or how a garment should fit to avoid accidents. Choosing the right size for your dog is very important, we always want our pets to be safe and feel comfortable in whatever they wear.
|
| home | site map |
| Copyright 2009 Webhostsavings4u.com. All rights reserved |
