This video from About.com has some great tips for several items that will help you to keep that old pooch in tip-top shape! The nutritional needs of a senior dog increase and can mean that a change in diet is necessary. The expert here has some great advice about options that you will want to consider. If your dog is getting to be a finicky eater, changing up what you feed them can make a real difference. Getting human grade food may seem a bit much, but it can go a long way toward keeping your dog healthy and happy.
Nutritional supplements are also a great idea, as are toys to keep your dog active and interested as well. There are fine pet supply stores popping up everywhere, and when you can get into one, there is always shopping online – so there are no excuses for not trying out some things that will make your fur baby happy.
This is a beautiful story of ‘Ol Boy’, a stray senior dog that was found in pretty bad shape. A trip to the vet’s office confirmed what looked to be true on the surface…he was not going to make it. Being malnourished was only one of his many problems. It turned out he had several medical ailments that were going to be tough to handle – but at this late stage, there was not much to be done. A animal communicator was brought in and found out that Ol Boy did not want to be put to sleep. He wanted to die in a home. A home where he could feel safe and loved…things he had wanted for a very time already.
A staff member of the clinic agreed to take Ol Boy home and to make him as comfortable as possible and stay with him to the end. That is exactly what happened. They helped him drink some water, they petted him when he was in pain and reassured him that they would not leave him. And they didn’t. True to their word, they loved Ol Boy until he was ready to go. He passed away in peace, when he was ready, safe, in a loving home and surrounded by kind people.
His last wish was to be cremated and then his ashes scattered near the beach. He is free, he is happy and he died with dignity the way all dogs and all living things should. What a blessing!
You worked so hard to house train your dog only to find that as they get past a certain age, they seem to be having accidents in the house again. This may present itself as a few drips here and there, to full out messes with a huge wet spot on the rug or on the dog’s bed. While this certainly isn’t pleasant, it is fairly common and there could be lots of things causing the issue. In fact, the laundry list of items that could be the culprit for your pooch is rather long and so this is one item that you should not deal with on your own. A trip to the vet really is the wise choice here, and will help with diagnosing exactly what the issue is. Whatever that core issue is, it is leading to a hormone deficiency.
How To Deal With Senior Dog Incontinence
Hormone deficiencies are essentially the cause of senior dog incontinence. As the amount of testosterone and estrogen in their bodies decreases, they lose their ability to control the urethral sphincter, a band of muscle located near the base of the bladder. Spayed or neutered dog are more likely to develop the condition because their reproductive organs have been removed, therefore they have smaller amounts of hormones. Older female dogs are also more likely to be affected by incontinence because they have shorter, wider urethras. (Read more)
No matter the root cause, you will want to help your furry child clean and comfortable. If they are a longer hair breed, you should keep them groomed shorter and be sure to provide them enough water so that they do not get dehydrated. Arrange to have them let outside often so that you can try to get in front of any indoor accidents and be sure to clean the urine spots as soon as you can with an enzyme cleaner.
The vet may prescribe medication or advise you as to options for you and your dog. Follow the advice and be sure to report back to the vet if it does not seem to be working. With a little effort and help from the vet, you should be able to get the issue under control and your life back online with a clean home.
When people are considering adopting a dog from a shelter, they often only want to consider adopting a puppy or younger dog. Sometimes the perception is that there must be something wrong with older dogs. I mean, if they were great dogs, the owners would have kept them, right? That’s not quite the case. Shelters are often full of older dogs based on issues that the people were having and not because of any illness or behavior problems presented by the dog.
Mature Works! Adopting a Older Dog
Older dogs lose their homes for many different reasons….most of them having nothing to do with problems the dog has, but rather with those of the person or family surrendering the dog. Many folks think dogs who end up at shelters or in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for very expensive, well-bred, well-trained dogs to outlive their usefulness or novelty with folks who bought them on impulse and no longer want to take responsibility for them.
Other reasons older dogs become homeless: death of a guardian….not enough time for the dog…… change in work schedule….. new baby…..need to move to a place where dogs are not allowed…. kids going off to college…. allergies…. change in “lifestyle”…. prospective spouse doesn’t like dogs. (All these reasons are taken from real case histories.) (Read more)
Some of the advantages of adopting an older dog are that they often have already been trained. Sometimes this training is quite extensive, more often, they are at least house trained already and understand what “no” means and what should and should not be chewed on in the home! They are already socialized and usually deal well with kids, other dogs and other pets. You will still want to get a report on the dog’s general health from the vet, but you get to start with an instant friend and companion.
Not only these reasons, but adopting a mature, older dog can show a respect for age and keep the horrid puppy mills from getting your money to further their practices. Respect for dogs and the current problem with so many being put down because there is simply not enough homes for them all should also help with your decision. Do the responsible thing…do the loving and amazing thing of welcoming an older dog into your home. The rewards will outweigh any risk!
John Unger and his dog, Shep, are the picture of what true love is. Shep has pretty bad arthritis as well as hip dysplasia that has him in a lot of pain and leaves him pretty uncomfortable for most of the day. John discovered that being in the water, in the ocean that is nearby, Shep could rest and felt better without any pressure on his joints. In John’s arms, Shep could finally sleep peacefully and without the discomfort that he feels when laying on a bed or on the floor of their home.
These images of John holding Shep in the water so he can sleep have touched so many people. Why is this story so powerful? With Shep being 19 years old, John wants to do what ever he can to help his beloved pet feel comfortable and to be able to sleep for a few hours without all that pain. This is love in action. It is love that knows no bounds, real love, and anyone who has loved a dog can relate.
It is highly likely that as your dog ages it will end up with some degree of arthritis. Glucosamine is one supplement that has shown to help in treating osteoarthritis in lots of dogs. It is a safe supplement with very little side effects and can help with the pain associated with joint disease. This pet owner recommends Glucosamine in liquid form that you can just pour on your dogs food. They will eat it easily enough and it, in turn, lubricates the dog’s joints and can help with stiffness and pain.
What is Glucosamin, you ask?
Glucosamine is an all natural substance that is used to treat arthritis and other joint diseases found in both humans and pets. It can be taken in both liquid and tablet forms and is much safer with virtually no side effects compared to its prescription counterparts. Not only is it safer, it is much less expensive than any of the doctor prescribed medications. (Read more)
A sensitivity to touch can be indicative of an issue
Some dogs are sensitive to being touched. This shows in either a general or very specific way, depending on whether or not your dog is in some pain. If you are not familiar with how dogs can show their state through reaction to your touch, you can learn. Volunteering at a shelter or veterinarian’s office can help. A good handler can teach you a lot by simply doing what they do while you watch closely. There is a way that dogs respond to someone who knows what they are doing that can go a long way to their well being.
If you feel like something is wrong or has changed for your furry child in terms of a sudden sensitivity to being touched, then go with your gut. Be sure to document the change in touch toleration and bring those notes to your vet appointment. Describe it for your vet in as much detail as you can, as that will help them to get a good idea of what you are seeing at home.
The Telling Touch
Pain can be hard to pin down in dogs. The more you can observe before the veterinary appointment, the more likely the veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem. But be careful not to injure the dog in the process or get bitten. A “knowing touch” gathers information and communicates safety. It’s not rough and doesn’t make a dog fearful. This touch is part of what people describe as having “dog sense,” or “a way with dogs.” People probably inherit the potential to learn good dog handling, but they don’t become good handlers unless they also learn the skills. (Read more)
You do want to be careful since a dog will protect themselves with both humans and other dogs if they are in pain. If you know that your dog is in pain, then keeping other dogs away will help with any jostling or bumping into the painful region that might be happening. This will help with fights among the dogs or the ‘accident’ that might occur when your dog is afraid of getting hurt while going outside with other dogs. If need be, escort your dog outside or keep him back while the others go out first, then let him know it is safe by guiding him out, etc. When you provide protection for your dog, they will really love you and appreciate your care.
If your dog suddenly doesn’t want to take an action that was fine for him before, don’t assume they are just being stubborn. Consider a physical reason first and pay attention to his ‘tells’. More often than not, some simple observation will let you know what is going on.
There is no one “right” answer to this question. Just as people age differently, so do dogs. What is ‘senior’ in one dog might still be ‘middle aged’ in another dog of the same years. Do pay attention though, and see if their eyes seem a bit cloudy or if they cannot hear you as well as they used to. Of course, changes in cognitive function are worth noting and if they seem to forget the ‘rules’ of the house suddenly, that could be an indication of a change in their thought process.
How you care for your fur baby may need to change and it is best if you do not get too stressed out. Accept that they are going to be a bit of a different dog from now on and keep an open mind. If you need to get support, see if your local shelter or canine groups offer a place where you can get help and talk to other dog parents to see if they have advice. You are not alone, so reach out if you need to!
Changes in behavior could be an indication that your dog is experiencing senility or cognitive dysfunction, especially if your dog is over 6-7 years of age. When you notice theses things, like accidents in the house, wandering aimlessly and changes in their eating or drinking habits, it may be time for a trip to the vet. Together, you can assess the situation and see about coming up with a plan for dealing with the issues.
It can be so hard to see your sweet baby dog age and not be the same dog that they once were. Much of the same changes that we see older humans go through, dogs go through as well. Patience and a little extra love can go a long way in helping your dog continue to feel safe and secure in your home.
When your lovely fur pet is in pain it can be hard to know what to do or where to turn. Expensive medications are not always the answer – especially when you know that many times they hurt just as much as they are supposed to help. More and more pet parents are turning to non-invasive and natural therapies to help ease their pet’s pain and discomfort.
A method that might be worth looking into is the TTouch (pronounced ‘tee-touch’) method. This is a form of systematic and therapeutic touch that helps to stimulate healing and communication with the dog. Let’s hear more from Whole-Dog-Journal.com about this awesome option.
Helping Your Older Dog With Touch That Heals
The TTouch method was developed by Linda Tellington-Jones. The Canadian horsewoman had a long background in horse training and massage, but in 1970s, she began studying with Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, an Israeli physicist. Feldenkrais had developed a method of gentle manipulation of the human body, designed to improve pain and movement. He believed that by engaging non-habitual movement, you might be able to activate unused neural pathways to the brain and expand the potential to learn. Tellington-Jones’ study of the Feldenkrais method of “Awareness Through Movement” sparked a shift in her thinking about touch and movement in animals. (Read more)
This is not just petting! The TTouch looks to engage the parasympathetic nervous system. This engagement helps by relaxing the muscles and lowering the heart rate, blood pressure and getting those stress levels way down. When that stress is removed, often, that memory associated with the stress can be removed from the cells as well with a little encouragement.
TTouch has been studied to find out how it does what it does. At the Biofeedback Institute in Boulder, Colorado the method was shown to create altered brain waves. It could be seen that the specific touches were able to not only relax the animal’s body and brain, it also served to stimulate a more alert and cognitive state. This helped to switch out the previous pattern of behavior and replace it with a different perspective that was more focused on the ‘now’ and letting the dog move from a place of pain, to a place of comfort and healing. And the best part? No drugs or anything harmful for your beloved dog!
hugs and kisses are a great Valentine’s Day present!
Of course, on this day of love you don’t want to leave out the one’s that love you most! Your beautiful pooch deserves some special attention and to know that you have not let this day go by without a nod to all the wet kisses, snuggles and happy welcomes that they have thrown your way throughout the year.
But silly get ups or possibly dangerous treats should be avoided if possible. Yes, your fur baby is just too cute for words and a heart hat would really make you happy – but that might not be as meaningful to your dog. What do dog’s want? You know what they want! Here are a couple of ideas for you, just in case you are stumped.
Best Valentine’s For The Best Dog
*Take your pet for a long walk. Play ball outside an extra fifteen minutes. Cuddle longer than usual while watching TV.
*Many pets love socializing with other dogs. Arrange an exceptional Valentine’s present for your pet. Instead of being home alone while you are at work, reserve “day care” providing your pet a time to romp and play. (Read more)
You could also think about giving them a great bath treatment to help them feel good and comfortable during these dry winter months…or you could give them an extra massage, or whip up a special treat of their favorite, good for them, foods.
Your time and attention is what they really crave, so think outside the box and give your fur baby a loving present that they would really appreciate and enjoy. Spoiling them with your love is always the right way to go, plus it could be a little easier on your pocketbook as well!
This video shows how wraps for your dog can help them in a number of ways. If the dog is feeling stiff or achy, the wraps can add support to the joints that make it more comfortable to move about and walk. If they are nervous or feeling quite tense, then the wraps can help them to feel secure and confident. It all depends on you testing out how to wrap your dog in a way that aids overall well being. When you find a pattern that works, you can stick with it!
Touch is so important too. I’ll address touch in a separate post so that you can learn more about using it help heal your wonderful dog. Sometimes, the issue might be an injury or illness, or it may just be a kind of emotional or nervous condition that is ailing your fur baby. No matter what, touch can really ease their discomfort, which in turn, eases yours.
