Caring for an old dog

The senior age dogs they can begin to be considered old as of the seven or eight years. This age is very delicate, because many changes take place in your body. It is at this stage that we must begin to take care of your health with greater care, since it is when the vast majority of pathologies manifest.

The caring for an old dog they are much more frequent than those we have with a young dog. The most delicate stages are those of a puppy and a senior or older dog. We are going to give you a few tips so that your dog takes the best care when he gets old.

What is an old dog?

Dogs are considered old from the seven or eight years normally. At this stage they enter what is called the senior age. Obviously, there will be dogs that appear older and others that remain somewhat youthful until later. From the age of ten they are usually considered elderly. However, there are certain differences depending on the type of breed we are talking about, since smaller breeds have a much higher life expectancy than large breeds, which usually reach twelve years at most. The dog's lifestyle and the care it has taken can also influence its biological age.

Food for senior dogs

The senior dogs should have a different diet, because their lifestyle changes at this stage. On the one hand, their physical activity drops a lot, so the demands in terms of calories are much lower. Senior feeds tend to have less fat and carbohydrates so that dogs do not gain weight easily. In addition, we can get a low calorie feed in case the dog stops doing physical activity due to a health problem.

If on the contrary our dog has lost weight Due to some illness it is always a good idea to mix your feed with that of puppies, which has more fat and calories to cover the needs of these stages.

The feeds that call themselves senior are higher in protein and low in fat to meet the new needs of these dogs. At this stage of life they need protein to maintain muscle mass, so these feed have more quality protein. But they are also formulated with vitamins and minerals, so that dogs do not lack nutrients.

It is very important buy a feed that is of great quality. If possible, we must get the feed that is made with natural foods, as we will prevent the dog from eating compositions that have too much chemistry and that can ultimately harm them.

Another point to take into account in your diet are the shots that we should give. At this stage their stomach is more delicate and they also need a constant supply of energy. That is why it is always best to feed him in several small feedings throughout the day.

Physical activity in an old dog

This stage involves a change for the dog that is normally gradual. In general, it is common for the dog increase your hours of sleep and rest and reduce physical activity. It is important that we do not force the dog to perform activities that can tire him, as many develop heart or vascular pathologies that can harm them.

El exercise that we do with the dog should always be moderate, taking into account its possibilities. It is important that we monitor the dog in case it becomes fatigued, as it can be a real problem if it has any pathology. In addition, it is better not to remove it in the hottest or coldest hours, since it can become sensitive to these temperature changes.

It is always better to get out walking the dog on short walks and let him rest between periods, without doing too many activities with him. In this way the dog will always have enough energy to continue with its daily life, enjoying walks and socializing with other dogs.

Take care of your joints

The joints can be a real problem in the senior stage, as stiffness and osteoarthritis appear. Excess activity should be avoided so that the joints do not suffer. But in addition, the diet must have Omega-3 and Omega-6. On the other hand, visits to the vet should be regular if the dog begins to have osteoarthritis problems, since we may have to give him some medicine to stop this problem.

Common illnesses

During the senior stage some diseases that are common in dogs. Hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis in the joints, heart problems, and even cancer can be a problem for everyone. That is why it is so important to be aware of dog problems.

Lots of love and affection

Inside the house we will notice that the dog will normally be more aware of us. This happens because with the loss of senses, dogs feel much more vulnerable. That is why they will need a extra love and care during this stage. It is common for them to want to sit close to us and also do not get along with being alone at home for a long time. It is good that they have a place that is comfortable within the home, with a dog bed that is padded so that they can enjoy greater comfort. Do not forget that it is at this stage that bone and joint problems begin.

Visits to the vet

If there is something we must take into account with older dogs, it is that the visits to the vet they should be more frequent. It is at this stage that many more pathologies and problems appear, so we must be attentive to all kinds of changes in the dog. Whether you stop eating, become disoriented, change your mind or become listless, these can be signs that something is wrong. This is why controls are so important.