When you take that cute little puppy into your home, it is easy to forget that sooner or later this animal will get old. Aging is a fact of life, for all living creatures. How quickly a dog will age though, does depend on certain factors. Like people, there will be genetic predispositions toward certain health problems. Different breeds of dog have different life expectancies also. On the whole, though there are some obvious signs that your dog is getting old.
Older dogs often have poor hearing. That once alert dog, who heard the slightest rattle of the garden gate, may hear little these days. In fact, a burglar may be able to enter, raid and leave your home without your dog hearing a sound.
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Weight gain can also be associated with age in dogs. Some of this will depend upon how well you have cared for your dog. Giving the animal too many treats to show your love is not really a kind act. Make sure that your dog has a healthy diet and reduce the amount of food accordingly as the animal becomes less active. An older dog generally has less nutritional needs.
Creaking joints affect a dog in much the same way as a person. The animal's mobility may decrease and it may be in pain. If a dog shows signs of pain be assured that, the animal is suffering. Dogs tend to hide their pain well. No dog should ever be allowed to suffer so consult your veterinarian in order to receive advice and treatment regarding pain management.
Poor eyesight affects dogs in much the same way as people. An older dog may develop cataracts. Many eye problems are treatable but can be expensive. Some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to have eyesight problems than others.
Dental problems can cause older dogs problems. Tooth pain and infections may mean that the animal finds it difficult to eat properly. If your dog has bad breath this could be a sign of dental problems. A good dental routine, started when the animal is young, will help. Tooth scaling is possible, at the veterinary surgery, but will be costly. You also have to remember that the dog will need to be anaesthetised, which may be problematic for an older dog.
Heart problems and even heart failure can occur in dogs. If the animal has led a healthy life style with a sensible diet and plenty of exercise this may be minimised. Your dog's hair or fur will probably turn a little grey and the texture will change. You may notice that the dog's coat is less sleek and shiny and is more wiry and sparse.
As we see our pets everyday, it is often a person who visits rarely who will notice the changes in your dog. You may find that you have to walk more slowly and less far with your pet, raise the height of the dog's feeding bowl because it has back problems or even help the animal to its feet at times. As long as the dog is not in pain and has some quality of life this part of aging is simply nature running its course.
Signs My Dog is Getting Old
Ethel Smith is a freelance Internet writer. Her work is currently available via Infobarrel.com, Hubpages.com and Helium.com. Her interests include animal welfare, travel, World Cup football and current affairs. Catch up with a little of Ethel's growing porfolio at http://ethelsmithstravelexperiences.wikispaces.com/ and her intermittent blog http://ethelsworld.blogspot.com/
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