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Marty is having a hard time keeping up these days. Once your most motivating companion on a long run, now he hobbles behind, slowing you to a walk instead of sprinting ahead the way he used to. After your hikes, he comes home and sleeps all afternoon. Your best friend has reached old age and you might have to learn some new tricks to keep him healthy and happy in his golden years. Signs of Aging Not unlike humans, old dogs become less active. Maybe he seems stiff when we walks and he may even forget his way around the neighborhood he once knew so well. When people come over, he’s not barking at the door anymore because he can’t hear the doorbell due to the natural hearing loss that comes with old age. Gastrointestinal discomfort is another symptom that may make Marty less socially adept, as he can clear a room as he sleeps! Bad breath due to tooth and gum decay accompany what sounds like wheezing. He may develop coarser hair, oily to the touch and prone to falling out. But you love his graying mug all the same. A Dog’s Life Dogs age more quickly than we do. Depending on the breed, a dog can be considered senior as young as seven years old. Giant breeds, such as Great Danes, will reach their pique earlier than smaller ones. That’s not to say that small dogs will necessarily outlive their larger counterparts. The oldest dog on record is a mid-sized breed - an Australian cattle dog that lived to be 29 years old and died in 1939. The mean life expectance of a mutt is about thirteen years. How to adjust Although they show less interest in walks and games, it is important to keep your senior active and entertained to ensure his physical and mental health. If your pal can’t walk very far, consider driving him to the most interesting part of the walk or to a new location to avoid doing the same loop around the block everyday. The diversity will help keep your dog stimulated and happy. Even taking your old boy in the car to run errands with you lets him take in the world from the window and breaks up the monotony of his day. You may have to lift him into and out of the car though. You can also try and find ways to keep your dog amused at home. Though he can’t travel very far with his stiffening joints, Marty might enjoy a little treasure hunt in the back yard. Try scattering some of his kibble around the lawn and see how he enjoys the challenge of finding the pieces. This satisfies the ‘seeking’ tendency innate in all animals, an impulse which must have an outlet to maintain their mental and emotional well-being. Another way you keep Marty entertained is by providing him with more age-appropriate toys. Some pet stores carry chew toys with a louder squeak that is more audible for geriatric ears and softer for weaker teeth and gums. When to Seek Veterinary Care While arthritis is a natural consequence of aging, it can also be painful and there are medications available that can make Marty more comfortable. Never give Marty Ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), both can kill him. Allow the vet to give him an anti-inflammatory that is ‘dog-safe’. While old dogs tend to drink more water, it is important to remember that at increase in water consumption may also be a sign of diabetes and kidney problems. With Marty’s metabolism slowing down and his activity decreasing, you may need to cut his caloric intake by 30 to 40% in order to maintain a healthy weight. Though it is tempting to spoil your old buddy who seems to be harder to please these days, remember that excessive weight can add to joint discomfort and make activity even more difficult. While you may have lost your workout buddy, you still have your best friend. Find ways to keep him healthy and happy in his golden years. He would surely do the same for you! Ivan’s Puppies has been breeding and training puppies for over 30 years. Our hard work has been paying off, as now we are proud to be breeding Bulldog litters with excellent quality, with little to no health problems and good temperaments. For English Bulldog Puppies, visit our website at www.BulldogsNewYork.com.
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