Do you remember the first day you raised a dog at home? After a short while, his age increased, he started to grow old, and he became a full-fledged senior dog. Older dogs are like humans, many things start to change when they get old, especially their health, which gradually gets worse. So we have to pay special attention to them because we want them to stay with us for a long time, to live as long as possible, right? So, as owners, how can we take care of them? Or are there any special precautions? Let’s learn about the possibilities of what can happen when our dogs get old, along with how to take care of them.
At what age is a dog considered senior?
The senior age of a dog depends on the breed and the physical condition of the individual dog. Generally, large breed dogs tend to age faster than small breed dogs. Generally, small breed dogs are considered senior dogs over 7 years, medium breed dogs over 6 years, and large breed dogs over 5 years are considered senior dogs.
Explain the table. The first column is age in days, months and years. The next column is comparative age by small, medium and large dog breeds.
The red channel is the beginning of senescence.
As dogs age, their organs wear out and their ability to function decreases, such as their ability to resist infections and diseases. Therefore, any home with an elderly dog must pay more attention to them in every aspect.
Nutrition for Senior Dogs
Older dogs are not as active as younger dogs, so their energy requirements from food are also reduced. As dogs age, their organs become less efficient at processing food. This means that we need to adjust the proportions of our dog's food or give special supplements as advised by our veterinarian.
Obesity is an equally important issue. Just like humans, dogs can become obese as they age. The cause may be that they are less active, so their body burns less. This excess weight can lead to other health problems. So if you see that they are overweight, you can help by controlling calories and taking them for walks outside to exercise. However, taking your dog for walks outside may not be suitable for all older dogs.
Opposite to obesity, if our dog is too thin, we should take the dog to the vet for a physical examination because there may be a problem with the dog's sense of smell or taste, which is lost or distorted, causing him to have less appetite because his digestive system is inefficient. Therefore, the owner must find him delicious and tasty food. Most importantly, it must be food that is easy to digest so that the dog can eat with relish.
If your dog’s appetite is significantly reduced due to old age, not due to other causes, you may need to encourage him to eat. Here are 3 easy ways to trick your dog into eating more:
1. Give him less food at each meal but more often.
We can divide each day's meals into two to four small meals and reheat the food that the dog will need to eat to a temperature close to his body temperature.
2. Leave the food for him to eat for 10-15 minutes, then put it away.
Because dogs prefer fresh food over stale food.
3. He should be in an environment that is not too noisy.
To create an atmosphere for eating
Minerals and vitamins are also essential for senior dogs, but they must be given in the right amounts to help create balance, or kidney or heart failure may occur. If you want to give supplements or minerals and vitamins, it is best to consult your veterinarian first.
Gums and teeth
Another problem for senior dogs is “gums”. Gum disease not only causes dogs to lose their teeth, but can also cause more serious problems if bacteria enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums. Therefore, we should check our dog’s teeth and gums regularly and consult our veterinarian immediately if we see any abnormalities. We should also brush his teeth thoroughly with a toothbrush made specifically for dogs and use products that help promote oral health in dogs.
Bones and joints
Dog owners should regularly assess their dog's health. If he has arthritis in various joints in his body, he will show symptoms of slower movement and difficulty moving. We should take our dog to exercise regularly according to his strength. But be careful not to overdo it because the arthritis symptoms may become more severe. And if you find that he refuses to eat, doesn't go out to play as usual, or has problems with excretion, you should consult a veterinarian for advice.
Vision and hearing
The hearing, vision, and smell of older dogs will also decline with age. For example, if your dog starts to disobey you, it may be because he can’t hear your voice or commands. In addition, older dogs may have more vision problems, such as infections, cataracts, reduced night vision, or, in the worst case, blindness. Try to observe if he has unusual eye discharge or if he has any signs of poor vision, such as frequent bumping into things. If you find that you have this problem, you should take him to see a veterinarian to treat the symptoms.
Kidney function
The function of both kidneys, which are responsible for removing waste from the body, declines in older dogs, especially waste products from the breakdown of proteins, which are excreted in the urine. If your dog has kidney problems, he should be fed a special diet that is specifically formulated for dogs with kidney problems. This type of food contains low phosphorus, which helps to slow down the onset of kidney disease, and low protein to reduce the accumulation of waste products in the bloodstream.
Excretory system
Urinary incontinence is a common problem in older dogs, even those that have been well-trained. Sometimes, a dog may suddenly release urine in an inappropriate place. This is due to a neurological problem that controls the bladder. However, it is often the result of a problem with the urinary tract, prostate gland, or other bodily systems. If you find that your dog suddenly cannot hold urine or starts urinating frequently, consult a veterinarian immediately.
In addition to all that has been mentioned, we must not forget to bring our dogs to get vaccinated against various diseases that must be given in order of the dog's age regularly. See the dog vaccination schedule. here
Because dogs are also members of our family. It is not just about taking care of and paying attention to them in every aspect, but the most important thing is to give them love no matter how young or old they are. I want all owners to love and pay attention to them every day like the first day they were raised.
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References
Dr. Oraya Prapanpoj, veterinarian at the Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery and Department of Cardiology, Talingchan Animal Hospital
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