Caring For And Feeding Older Dogs

First of all we'd better define what we mean by a senior dog. We humans tend to think of ourselves as Senior Citizens when we get to the age of 60-65 years, even though the joints may start creaking a few years before this!

The 'one human year equals seven dog years' rule is an easy way to calculate and relate to your dog's age, but doesn't necessarily apply to all breeds. Large breed dogs (i.e. Great Danes) are considered a senior at 6 or 7 years of age, whereas small breeds (i.e. toy poodle), aren't considered a senior citizen until they reach into the teens of years.

So, if your dog was a human, how old would he be? Pedigree have a nice interactive chart which if nothing else is a bit of fun. Click here to check out your dog's age in human years.

Basically, if your dog is 7 years or older, you ought to be considering him or her to be at least middle aged if not senior and therefore need to consider how best to care and feed them. This is because, like humans, requirements for exercise and nutrition change with age, and there may be a case for including a food with added 'extras' for joint care.

So what some of the normal signs of ageing?

• Many dogs will slow down a bit with age, and you may not realise this is happening until someone points this out to you. Look for changes in how they gets up, lay down, and use stairs. Is there any hesitation or stiffness? Does a change in the weather make it worse? Dogs are no different to humans and do suffer from arthritis and stiffness. This can be treated.

• Grey hair, especially around the face and muzzle, can be a sign of a senior dog and so is a thinner, drier coat, compared to the one she sported in her youth. Of course, just as with humans grey hair is a sign of wisdom and dignity and your dog should be treated as such!

• Hearing loss or deafness may become a bit of a problem, and again you might only notice this when the situation has got to a certain point - when they keep walking after you call instead of returning as they used to. There isn't a lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a veterinary examination can rule out other medical problems.

• Incontinence, even in dogs who were perfectly house-trained, is one of the most frustrating age related problems to deal with. Although loss of bladder control can be a sign of Diabetes.or kidney disease, and these serious conditions must be ruled out before treatment begins, urinary incontinence is usually caused by an infection or age-related changes.

• Mild loss of muscle mass, especially the hind legs, may be seen with old age. You need to be aware that some loss of muscle mass can be a sign of diseases such as Cushing's Disease. Be safe and have your veterinary surgeon check this out if you are at all concerned.

• Lumps and bumps can be more prevalent in old age, so if you find new or enlarged lumps under the skin or when you are stroking your dog, take a trip to your veterinary surgeon and for your own peace of mind have them checked out - there may well be nothing to worry about.

• Dogs should not drink more water simply because they are old, it is summer time, or the heater is on in the winter. Possible causes of increased water intake can be diabetes and kidney problems.

Care for the older dog

Iams give some very sensible advice on care of the older dog. As your dog reaches his senior years, remember these tips:

Minimise stress and change.

Avoid big moves or changes in your dog's schedule. If you must disrupt a routine, give your dog some added attention to ease the adjustment.

Regular exercise.

Taking your dog for two 15-minute walks each day helps maintain muscle tone, enhance circulation, promote digestion and prevent weight gain.

Smaller, more frequent meals.

Instead of one large portion a day, try two or three smaller meals, which also will help increase your dog's metabolism, burn calories and provide all of the needed nourishment.

Routine veterinary checkups and immunizations.

Regular dental care and thorough physicals will help you identify subtle changes in your dog's health. At home, take a few minutes each month to closely examine your dog for any irregularities such as odd-shaped bumps or lumps. If you do discover something unusual and it seems to be growing rapidly, call your veterinarian. Early detection and preventive treatment can go a long way toward extending life expectancy.

Nutrition.

In general, dogs of seven years and older start taking life a bit easier and, as a result, their nutritional needs begin to change once more. With large breeds, this change will take place at around six years of age Senior dogs are less active and have a slower metabolism, so can be even more prone to gaining weight. Equally as they reach their geriatric years, illness and blunting of the senses of taste and smell mean it can be hard to maintain a good body condition.

In their senior years dogs need a high quality, palatable diet with easy to digest protein, lower calorie levels and a careful balance of other essential nutrients.

Whites Premium Senior Light

Senior Light is a low calorie hypo-allergenic food helping you to control your dog’s weight. Gentle on the stomach with added supplements glucosamine, condroitin and MSM to maintain smooth working joints. This recipe includes essential nutrients along with Omega 3, vitamins and minerals that are necessary to maintain a strong immune system, glossy coat and healthy condition for your dog as they grow older.

Ingredients
Brown rice, Fish meal, White rice Barley, Sugar beet pulp, Poultry fat, Brewers yeast, Seaweed meal, Peas, Minerals, Vitamins, Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM, Yucca extract, Omega 3

Typical Analysis
Protein % 20.00, Oil % 7.50, Fibre % 3.00