Tips for Trimming YOUR Old Dog’s Waistline

A 2008 Reuter’s article stated an estimate 40% of dogs are overweight or obese in the United States.  But by 2012 , another study estimates that doggie waistlines have grown. A 2012 New York Times article reported that now at least half of all American pets are considered fat. And, they pay a high cost with shortened lives. While any age dog is affected by weight, a portly senior dog will have an even more difficult life. Overweight dogs are at a higher risk for developing serious medical problems, including arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems, and some forms of cancer. As a dog ages, there are many health issues that owners cannot control. Fortunately, your dog’s weight is not one of them. A few simple steps can stop “supersizing” your dog and reduce the risk of these diseases.

1. IS YOUR OLD DOG TOO HEAVY?
Ask your veterinarian to determine whether your pet is underweight, overweight, or at an ideal size for their breed. At an ideal weight, you should not be able to see your dog’s ribs but feel them through a thin layer of fat. There will also be a defined "waist" between the rib cage and hips.

2. CONTROL PORTIONS
Too many pet owners simply fill the bowl or estimate how much they're feeding. The average 25-30 pound dog should get no more than 2 cups of dry food per day. Treats and “people food” will add calories and weight!

Dog “TREAT”	Human Equivalent
Piece of toast with butter	Hamburger
Small buttered biscuit	Cheeseburger
4 cubes cheddar cheese	Regular Sized Chocolate Candy Bar
Hot Dog or Sausage	SIX Doughnuts

3. EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR OLD DOGS (And their humans too!)
Exercise and good nutrition go hand in hand to help keep your old dog healthy and happy. It doesn’t take long either. As little as 20 minutes of daily brisk walking can boost canine immune function, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce many behavioral problems. 

Copyright 2012 OldDogPaws.com

Raising Food Up Makes Mealtime More Enjoyable for the Older Dog!

Elevated dog bowl is Beneficial to Older Dog Health

Any age dog can benefit from an elevated feeding dish. However, as a dog matures into old age an elevated dog bowl might be essential A raised dog feeder, whether on a platform or stand can help to eliminate the need for dogs to position their head at a downward angle during meal times. This way the senior dog will swallow less air with his meal and reduce gas and other digestive trouble. Additionally,  an older dog that suffers from arthritis or other joint pain can feed more comfortably. 

Tips on how to select the best elevated dog bowl for your senior dog!

Copyright 2012 OldDogPaws.com

Does Your Senior Dog’s Ears Hear as Well as They Used to?

A dog’s ears can be sensitive at any age. It is important to keep vigilant as your dog ages to be certain that minor ear discomfort doesn’t become a life changing situation. Several things can cause problems for your older dog’s ears. Parasites and mites are a common, well known issue but allergies can cause ear itching and swelling too. Bacteria and yeast can grow in a dog’s ears after lake or a trip to the groomers if the ears aren’t sufficiently dry. And then hormonal changes as a dog matures can bring on thyroid conditions which can trigger ear infections in the older dog.

Signs of Ear Problems

• Bad smell or odor
• Excessive scratching of the ears
• Sensitivity to petting of ears; often a signal that it is painful
• Constant tilting/shaking of the head to one side
• Black or yellowish discharge
• Redness inside the ear flap or canal
• Changes in behavior like listlessness, depression or irritability
• Accumulation of dark yellow to brown wax
• Loss of balance and disorientation
• Bleeding or discharge resembling coffee grounds

While nothing will replace a visit to your vet to address any serious hearing or ear concerns, there are some tools that a senior dog owner can use to keep your dog’s ears in tip top shape.

Tools to Protect Older Dog Ears

Otoscope – The same tool your vet uses to see inside a dog’s ear canal will give you a better view of the inside of your pet’s ear.

Cleansing Pads & Solution- Keeping your pet's ears clean and dry is your best defense against ear infections.

Drying Agents – Prevent bacterial growth after a swim in the lake or a bath.

Ear Mitacide - If itchy ears are accompanied by a black, crumbly discharge, there's a good chance your pet has ear mites. Pyrethrin or Ear Miticide can eliminate these irritating, common parasites.

Copyright 2012 OldDogPaws.com

 

It's No Trick--Here's a Halloween Treat for YOUR Old Dog!

Senior dogs and Halloween often don't mix well. Most old dogs are far beyond being able to wear a costume...no matter how cute it is. Just like people, sometimes our older pets, just outgrow Halloween festivities. The commotion of a holiday full of chocolate that can be deadly to a canine and a constant parade of strangers ringing the doorbell and shouting "trick or treat", can become to much for the best behaved senior dog. Often senior dogs can wander off due to doors or gates being left open.

Years ago our own dog disappeared on the Fourth of July, another commotion filled holiday. Fortunately, we had a name tag and dog license on his collar. A friendly person saw him wandering almost a mile from our home and called us to pick him up. Keeping an up-to-date, easy to read ID tag on your senior dog is a perfect treat for this holiday!

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

Massaging Your Old Dog's Paws (And Back, Legs & Belly Too!)

Who doesn’t love a good back rub? Well as good as a massage feels to a person’s tired and aching muscles, it can do wonders for your senior dog!

Benefits include:

• Stimulates Central Nervous System and Blood Flow
• Keeps Heart and Lungs Functioning Well
• Calming Affect
• Relives Boredom
• Stimulates Skin and Follicles to Reduce Excess Fur
• Aids Digestion
• Keeps Fluids Flowing Between Joints Easing Arthritic Pain

Dog massage therapy is something you can have done professionally but most older dogs would prefer the gentle touch of their owner. Learning to do a good, stimulating rub down of your elderly canine is a great way to show your love after the years of unconditional adoration he has shown to you.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

Year-round Heartworm Preventative--Is it Necessary for an Older Dog?

When our dog, Tikki, was just a pup, we would bring him to the vet every spring for his physical and annual heartworm test. We live in a northern mid-western state where it doesn't really warm up until late April and are relatively mosquito free until this time. Starting in May, we would give him his once a month "treat" and had the little red heart sticker stuck on the family calendar as a monthly minder of his next dose.

This was the process  for the first seven or eight years of Tikki's life. But one spring the vet prescribed 12 doses instead of the usual 6-8. When questioned, he said that it was more prudent to keep protected year round then the annual spring blood test would be less necessary. In talking further with the doctor, I explained that Tikki was mostly an indoor dog and we were religious about giving him his medication monthly during the summer when mosquitoes were most active in our state. I preferred giving my senior dog time off from medications during the winter months when exposure was almost nil. So we opted to buy the six month supply and retest for heartworm in the spring. In talking with Tikki's vet, I found out  it is critical to retest every year for heartworm if your dog is not on a year round preventative. Giving the medication to a dog that tests positive for heartworms can have serious adverse affects.

Whether heartworm medication is necessary year-round  is a great debate as heartworm medication can be hard on senior dogs. It is an essential discussion to have with your vet because if your dog gets infected, heartworms can cause death. Be proactive and informed about heartworm risks in your area. Discuss your older dog's health and any possible side affects of medications with your vet to determine what is the best plan of action to keep your senior dog happy and healthy.

For Additional Info on Heartworm Protection CLICK HERE

 

Wordless Wednesday (Almost) --Senior Dogs are a Kid's Best Friend!

What is better on a summer day than a kid or two hanging out with their favorite furry older dog friend? Not a thing!

Elevated Dog Bowl Selection Tips!

Arthritis can be a real pain in the neck! And for a dog attempting to eat and swallow food the forward bending motion can cause serious pain. This is just one of the reasons many senior dog owners opt for an elevated bowl for their aging pet. Ergonomics can really make a difference to the comfort level of the daily activity of eating. But how do you select the right elevated dog feeder for your canine?

6  Essential TIPS For Selecting an Elevated Dog Bowl

1. Dog Height - Bowl should be no higher than 6 inches below the dog’s front shoulders. (4 inches for very small dogs.)
2. Material of Feeding Bowl - Lightweight, rust and rot resistant. If you feed hot food to your dog, stay away from heat conducting metal.
3. Construction of the Stand - The stand for an elevated feeder needs to be sturdy enough for daily use.
4. Capacity - This can range from 2 to 16 cups in volume. Consider how much your dog eats at mealtime and figure accordingly.

5. Design/Number of Bowls - Do you need a 2 or 3 bowl feeder? Do you have more than one dog that you will feed at one time? Consider your pets’ needs when making your selection.
6. Cost - Elevated dog feeders vary substantially in price from $30 to over $100 depending on quality and design.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

Is YOUR Senior Dog Geriatric? Or just a Good Old Dog!

 Many times when you search the internet for information on senior or older dogs, the sites tend to incorporate the term geriatric as well. So are all old dogs considered geriatric? According to Webster the term geriatric refers to “dealing with the problems and diseases of old age.”  Since all dogs are not raised exactly the same I think it is inaccurate to put all dogs into a category based on there age and breed. With proper nutrition, exercise and preventive care any aged dog that is still active, may be senior but still considered relatively healthy.

 I would consider two separate categories for our aging pets. Senior dogs have simply grown old but still remain active, eating well and have not been affected with any age related illnesses. Geriatric dogs have come down with some kind of ailment associated with getting old age and are usually on some kind of medication.

 Based on statistics, our old dog should have had a life expectance of 10-12 years and was considered old at six. Our family was very fortunate to have had our senior dog with us for 17 years but I would have only classified his last year as geriatric.  The saying, “you are only as old as you feel,” also apply to our pets. Treat them well and hopefully yours will be as fortunate by living a long time past the statistical charts.

Copyright 2011 Olddogpaws.com