Health Care Tips For Owners Of Older Canines

Older dogs have special needs. Here we explore a few of those needs that canine owners should be aware of.

As a rule, larger breeds of dogs age faster than smaller ones. So if your dog is already six or seven years of age, chances are, he is already old.

Some of the things that you will notice when he is older is that he takes more time napping. He becomes a sleepy dog. He would get tired easily from physical activities and would not want to play around as often as he used to. There will be a decrease in his energy level and would not be as strong as when he was younger. He will develop morning stiffness which would give him difficulty when rising up or lying down. Because of fewer activities, your canine will quickly gain pounds that could result in weight problems.

So to help your dog with these problems you may consider doing any of the following:

* Provide some comfortable bedding for your dog. There are some foams and bedding, such as memory or eggshell foams, which are specially made to relieve older dogs of the problems and pressures of aging such as knee and joint pains. They have washable covers, too.

* Give them light, regular exercises, too. Taking them for walks and playing simple games with them could help improve their digestion and blood circulation. It also helps remove extra unnecessary fats.

* Lower the amount of calories that he takes in. Cut down on his food intake but be sure that it still provides him with his daily need of vitamins, minerals, and protein to keep his body well and strong. He must maintain those teeth and coat in good shape.

* Bring him to his vet regularly for his shots and check-up. Aside from that, you could also request for a geriatric examination at least two times a year.

Your dog will experience a lot of changes in his body as he grows older. He will be weaker, will experience some pain and health problems, and he will need a lot more sleep than he used to. At this point of time, he will need a lot more careful attention for his health and well-being so you must be mindful of his physical wants and needs.


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Steve Weber is a dog lover who has plenty of experience with canine arthritis disease and other dog related issues. At his web site, Cactus Canyon, Steve has many articles and videos that help pet owners dealing with dog joint problems. The site focuses on using all natural glucosamine products like synflex for dogs in treating osteoarthritis.