ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Vision and hearing loss, lumps and bumps. We share many signs of aging with our pets. And when we have senior dogs, it is our job to care for them like they always cared for us.
We loved them then …
And we love them now …. The average lifespan of mans best friend is ten to 13 years, but you might notice your furry friend slowing down at an even younger age.
“it can be normal to slow down a little but they shouldn’t be slow to get up from a laying down position, that’s actually a symptom of arthritis,” Caitrine Hellenga, Medical Director of Winter Park Veterinary, told Ivanhoe.
Limping, weight gain, and refusing to jump are other signs of arthritis. Medications can help, but as dogs age it is critical to keep them at a healthy weight.
“The more weight you get off and get them into a nice lean condition, the less weight they carry on their joints and the more they can bounce around and be happy,” she said.
Senior dogs need regular vet appointments, high-quality diets, light exercise, and accommodations such as ramps, rugs for slippery floors, and special bedding.
“Making sure that they have a nice thick orthopedic kind of bed. If they don’t like laying on padded beds because they like the cool floor, you can get some of the kuranda beds, that are a raised bed with a canvas hammock type style,” she said.
With ways to love on your senior dog.
According to the American Kennel Club, small breeds live significantly longer than large breeds. A chihuahua lives 15 to 17 years, while a Great Dane only lives eight to ten. Scientists are not certain what causes this, but it may be because larger breeds grow from puppies to adults at an accelerated rate, increasing abnormal cell growth.
Sources: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/caring-for-older-dog/
Contributor(s) to this news report include: Hayley Hudson, Writer and Robert Walko, Editor.
To receive a free weekly email on Smart Living from Ivanhoe, sign up at: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk
