Month: March 2013

A Closer Look At Age And Dog Breeds

Breed does play a part in how "old" your dog is
Breed does play a part in how “old” your dog is

Senior status in dogs is not measured by their number of years. Your 9-yr-old pooch might qualify as a senior, while your neighbor might have a 10-yr-old dog who’s well in the mid-life stage. For the most part, senior dogs are determined by their breed. For instance, giant breeds like deerhounds are considered elderly by their 6th to 8th year, while small breed dogs like a miniature poodle won’t be senior until they reach 17 years old.

There are two breeding methods that affect the longevity of a dog’s life—inbreeding and the pure-breed approach. In-breeding is when close relatives are bred with one another to retain certain traits, both positive and negative. For instance, breeding half-siblings with a long lifespan can result in an offspring with the same longevity.

Pure-breeding is when the same male dog is used to mate with different females. This way, the undesirable genes of other male dogs will disappear, and only the male dog who fathers all the offspring will carry forward his genetic characteristics.

Here’s a run-down on the life expectancy of dog breeds:

A Closer Look At Age And Dog Breeds

Breeds and Longevity

Breed Average Life Span (Years)
Beagle 13
Boston Terrier 12
Boxer 10
Bulldog 9
Chihuahua 15
Cocker Spaniel 12
Dachshund 12
German Shepherd 11
Golden Retriever 12
Labrador Retriever 11
Maltese 13
Miniature Pinscher 14
Miniature Schnauzer 13
Pomeranian 14
Pug 13
Rottweiler 9
Shetland Sheepdog 13
Shih Tzu 13
Yorkshire Terrier 14

Mixed breeds

Determining the life expectancy of a mixed-breed dog is a little trickier than determining the life expectancy of a purebred dog. On the one hand, a mixed-breed dog’s life expectancy is affected by the life expectancies of each breed he’s made up of — assuming you can figure out what those breeds are. On the other hand, a dog’s unique mix means a unique gene pool, and the more unique the gene pool, the less chance the undesirable trait has of affecting the dog. And if you’re looking for a precise figure for your particular dog’s breed mix, research isn’t a whole lot of help. If you’re willing to take an average, though, a mixed-breed dog’s life expectancy is about 13 years. (More here)

The senior status of dogs vary from one dog to another. To find out if your dog can be considered senior, you will have to look at a number of signs.

One sign that your dog has hit “senior-hood” is when your dog doesn’t move as fast as in the old days. A senior dog spends most of the time napping or lying down.

Your dog might have been able to catch Frisbee throws in a matter of minutes before. Your dog is probably a senior if this is no longer the case.

Another sign is when your dog’s coat has gotten grayer and the coat has gotten thinner. You will notice your dog’s face and muzzle look grayer than before. You might also find soft lumps in your dog’s trunk. While these lumps aren’t life-threatening,  this is another sign of senior-hood and you should call the vet once you feel lumps in your dog’s body.

When your dog no longer responds as quickly as before, that’s not because your dog is being combative. Your dog’s hearing is affected by aging, just like in us humans.

Lastly, you might notice your dog getting prone to accidents, suffering from incontinence or getting lost in your backyard. These are all signs of aging that come along with senior-hood.

When all these signs are present and your dog has finally reached senior status, don’t panic. There will be changes, yes, but with your companionship and guidance, your old companion will surely enjoy his advanced years.

 

YUM! Best Food For Senior Dogs

As you dog advances in age, you may have to modify their diet to suit their changing needs. But what are the qualities that meet the criteria of the best senior dog food?

A little effort goes a long way toward keeping your older fur baby healthy!
A little effort goes a long way toward keeping your older fur baby healthy!

For one, it must be healthy, considering that your senior dog will need more nutrients to overcome their physical weaknesses. Also, it must be palatable—what used to be delicious for them before won’t be as tasty for them today.  In terms of taste and nutritional value, there are ten best foods that your senior dog will love.

Yogurt, being a rich in probiotics, can help with your dog’s digestive problems. All you need to do is add a spoonful of yogurt in every meal.

Another healthy treat are eggs, which have several nutrients and area easy to digest. You can feed two for your large dog who weigh around 60 pounds, one for your 30- to 60-lb dog, and half an egg for your small dog.

Liver is great for your dog, because it has vitamins and minerals that can keep your dog energized. It should comprise around 5% of your dog’s daily. To give you a picture of just how much liver you can feed your dog: 2 ounces for your 100-pound dog daily, ½ ounce for your 25-pound dog daily, ½ ounce for your small dog every other day.

Fish is one of the best meats for your dog, with its omega-3 acids that not only keeps their coat healthy but also strengthens their immune system. Don’t worry about spending too much on this, because canned fish with bones (pink salmon and sardines) are perfect for your buddy.

Aside from fish, chicken and beef will help keep your older dog healthy and strong, as long as you feed them both in moderation and remove the fatty parts. The dark meat of chicken are better than the chicken breast and the skin.

As for beef, a great idea would be to feed them a mix of poultry that includes beef and turkey. Just make sure you drain the fat beforehand.

At your dog’s advanced age, vegetables are an absolute must. Broccoli, sweet potatoes and berries are the best ones.

YUM! Best Food For Senior Dogs

Broccoli. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts provide antioxidants and other nutrients that might help prevent cancer. Limit amounts if they cause gas. These vegetables are best served cooked because the raw form can suppress thyroid function if you feed too much.

Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, also found in other yellow-orange vegetables. They are also a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants. Sweet potatoes and other starchy foods should always be cooked.

Berries. The antioxidants in blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries might help prevent cancer. Berries also provide fiber.  (More here)

To wrap up this list is a healthy favorite both for dogs and humans alike: oatmeal. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. There’s more than one way to cook oatmeal, so you can experiment until you get the best flavor for your favorite buddy!

And the best part about these ten foods? They’re pretty flexible, so feel free to add a dash of flavor and come up with a recipe that’s perfect for your furry friend.

Housebreaking An Older Dog Is Easy

It will take a little time, but housebreaking a senior dog is not so hard!
It will take a little time, but housebreaking a senior dog is not so hard!

If you’ve just made the admirable decision of bringing home an adult dog from the shelter, housebreaking an older dog is the first challenge you and your new companion will overcome.

Though advanced in age, your dog might have gone through several stages and will need re-training, or they’ve probably never been housebroken before. Either way, there are tried and tested methods that will help your dog adjust to the new environment.

First of all, take your senior dog outside on a leash when you bring him home for the first time. This will help them understand that this is where your dog should pee and poo.

The next concern of you and your new buddy is the time to eliminate. You must set up a schedule for this, and follow that schedule religiously. It could be after meals, at playtime, or during your morning walks. Follow this routine until your dog gets used to it. In the meanwhile, you can place your dog in a crate until your dog gets used to the routine.

House training your older dog won’t happen overnight, and sometimes they won’t stick to the routine. In this case, watch out for some telltale signs.

Housebreaking an older dog is easy!

Dogs will often pace, pant, bark or run around the house to get your attention when they have to go. Take them outside as soon as you notice such behavior.

It is best not to overreact or punish your dog if he or she goes in the house. If you do, it could make your dog fearful. If you catch him or her in the act, it is best to firmly say “stop” or “no.”

Take your dog outside promptly if he or she does eliminate in the house, and continue using positive reinforcement. (More here)

Because older dogs are more patient, house training them should be easy. All it takes is a positive attitude, and you and your furry pet will get there soon!

Time to change your senior dog treats?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_Ci-mtaFrU

At a certain point of your dog’s aging process, you may notice that they don’t respond as excitedly as before to dog treats. This is normally, as dogs normally becomes a bit more picky and sensitive as they grow old. One of the changes you may notice is that they simply don’t love the same dog treats they used to.

It’s about time for you to look up new senior dog treats that will get them excited! Senior dogs would love oven-baked goodies filled with flour, eggs, and chicken stock among other healthy ingredients. Learning how to bake fresh-baked dog treats is a great alternative to buying grocery store treats. Just keep at it, and your dog will surely love what you come up with!

Keeping Dog Arthritis At Bay

Keep your dog active as much as you can, early on.
Keep your dog active as much as you can, early on.

20% of dogs suffer from arthritis. The odds are even worse with your older dog, as arthritis is most common among dogs in advanced age. Nobody wants to see their precious dogs stumble and limp about—so before it comes to that, you might want to err on the side of caution and take note of senior dog arthritis treatment methods that prevent this debilitating condition from getting worse.

The first step you have to take is to regulate your dog’s diet and nutrition. If your dog loves food, you don’t have to reduce their food intake or impose a strict diet altogether. What you can do instead to help regulate your dog’s weight is by replacing their calorie-high foods with a low calorie-diet regimen. There are even dog foods exclusively made for senior dogs, which are rich in calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants.  If you don’t find the nutrients you’re looking for, you might also want to whip up your own low caloric recipe for your furry friend.

It will also be necessary to purchase certain things, all for the good of your older dog, such as a warm cozy bed and ramps.

Keeping Dog Arthritis At Bay

All elderly pets appreciate a warm bed. Safe heating pads are available to ease the aches and pains that come with arthritis. I prefer electric mats that are encased in water proof plastic and have a chew-proof cord. Purchase one that can not rise above 102F. Make entry and exit from your pet’s bed as easy as possible with at least one low side. Be cautious if your pet can not move away from the pad, should it get too hot. Puppies and elderly dogs are more susceptible to heavy flea infestations because their immobility assures that they are always conveniently available to the fleas. Fleas can get out of hand rapidly in both the very old and the very young. If there is a possibility of a flea problem, be sure bed liners can be easily run through a dryer cycle and use one of the modern topical products to control fleas on your pet.

Wood ramps, covered with carpet are a real help for pets that can no longer climb stairs. Just be sure they are stable. Make the slope as gentle as possible. Keep one that hooks securely, in your car to help your pet get in and out. Canvas slings work well for this too.

If your pet is no longer able to get about, there are, slings, carts and other apparatus that you can purchase to return some of its mobility. There are online stores that specialize in meeting the needs of disabled pets.  (Read more Here)

You might want to join your senior dog for a daily moderate exercise, as this has been proven to help slow down the effects of arthritis. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken your dog for a 30-minute walk or haven’t played with them for some time now, this is your wake-up call.

Also, you may not have heard of this before, but good nail care will also help in arthritis prevention. By clipping your dog’s toenails regularly, they can work normally and won’t have to adjust their gait and put pressure on their joints and ligament.

The steps I just  mentioned may sound like a lot of work, but in the long run, making these changes will help your senior dog live a fuller life. Isn’t that what every pet owner would want for their cherished senior dog?

Senior Dog Recipes that Your Buddy Will Love

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa5RQgF3sA4

As dogs advance in age, you will have to pay extra attention to their changing dietary needs. It’s especially troubling if they no longer want the food they used to love. This is perfectly normal. If you’re in a rush and have no time to go to the vet or the nearest dog store, perhaps it’s time for you to look up a couple of senior dog recipes.

When cooking a dog recipe, pay attention to the special dietary needs of your dog. For instance, your senior dog might need to add more protein and calcium to their food. Here’s a video of a quick homemade dog recipe that contains some essential nutrients from turkey, chopped meat, and eggs. The entire recipe cost just $20 to $25 days, and can last for a couple of days. And if your pet friend responds well to it, perhaps you can include it in your dog’s regular diet.

It’s not difficult to make at all! Just combine, stir, and cook, and you can serve your senior dog with a healthy platter. Bon appétit, indeed!

Helping Your Dog With His Arthritis

It can be hard to see your dog in pain from arthritis
It can be hard to see your dog in pain from arthritis

There are several causes of arthritis in dogs. It may be caused by misaligned joints when the dog was born or by an unfortunate accident. As I mentioned before, it may also be the normal wear and tear of joints as your dog advances in age. Whatever the cause is, the pain and suffering usually will not be apparent until your dog grows old. At this point, you should immediately seek senior dog arthritis treatment.

There are several treatment options available for a dog suffering from arthritis, but it’s first important what happens to your beloved pet dog with arthritis. Unfortunately, not a lot of studies have been conducted explaining this. What we do know is that there’s not much difference between how humans’ and dogs’ joints deteriorate over time.

Arthritis is known to be difficult to detect in older dogs, but it’s even harder to identify if your dog is large. Dogs of large breed tend to resist pain, and won’t manifest their pain until it’s quite severe. The same problem holds true for overweight dogs, because it can be difficult if their pain is caused by their condition or arthritis. This is precisely why going to the vet is even more necessary if your dog is either of the two.

Helping Your Dog With His Arthritis

Your veterinarian has learned to be a very good judge of the subtle signs that dogs give to tell us that they are in pain. It may be just a worried look in their eyes when the veterinarian overly flexes their joints. Or you pet may withdraw its leg, or even growl or snap. You veterinarian will probably ask you to lead your pet around the examination room so he/she can observe its gait and locomotion. Over their career, vets get very good at that. The veterinarian may notice that the major muscle masses of your pet’s legs and spine have shrunken (atrophied) due to disuse. Your pet may wince when areas of it spine are palpated.

But the key tests your veterinarian will perform are x-rays. Depending on how subtle the changes are, it may take more than a single x-ray film. X-rays of advanced arthritic joints are very distinctive. If you look at the hip and spinal photos of Hannah, at the top of this page, you can understand the changes your vet will see. Most veterinarians will set these x-rays up in the exam room and point out to you the important bone changes that they are seeing. (Read more Here)

Once the vet determines that your older dog suffers from Arthritis, he will make sure that your dog doesn’t suffer from any other health problems that will make the condition worse, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s diseases, and diabetes.

Do not administer any drugs to your dog, unless the vet says so. The traditional medication for arthritis is Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDS, although it’s not as simple as just feeding it to your dog. NSAIDS can have serious side effects, especially to your dog’s digestive tract. Your dog might have diarrhea, characterized by dark-colored stool or worse, develop kidney problems.

There are several NSAIDs, but you should only choose the brand that your vet prescribes to you. Carefully follow the instructions of the vet regarding when to administer the drug, and what should be done before or after it. Observe any changes your dog might be going through before or after taking the NSAIDs. Most importantly, just let your dog feel that you’re there, and everything will turn out fine.

Beat Common Dog Ailments Like Arthritis

Common dog ailments like Arthritis are highly treatable.
Common dog ailments like Arthritis are highly treatable.

As dogs advance in age, most of them become less playful and active. While most dog owners easily attribute this change to their dogs’ personality changes as they grow old, these symptoms may in fact be a sign of arthritis or degenerative joint disease. One of the most common dog ailments, arthritis is found in one in five dogs.   As arthritis is most prevalent among older dogs, you might not realize that your dog is already suffering from this chronic pain condition. It is caused by a variety of reasons—from genetics to the lack of physical activity during your dog’s earlier years. Just like humans, arthritis is also caused by the wear and tear of the joints over time.

The signs of arthritis don’t come all at once. These changes take place over time, and most pet parents don’t realize the symptoms until later on. This is why you should pay careful attention to your dog’s disposition.  When your dog doesn’t move around and play as much as used to, you should already be put on guard. You might also notice that they don’t want to go up and down the stairs, and would limp at times.

Beat Common Dog Ailments Like Arthritis

The very first thing to do is take a trip to your vet. Let him examine your pooch to rule out any underlying medical problem such as broken bone, torn ligament, or cancer that could be causing Fido pain. By conducting several diagnostic procedures, your vet will find out the real cause and decide on the most effective management strategy. If your dog suffers from arthritis or a similar form of chronic joint pain, your vet will likely recommend pain medication. Try consulting your vet for any recommendation on specific foods that are especially made for both joint care as well as pain management.

In addition, although your dog is already slowing down, remember that he still needs exercise to keep him fit. A nice walk in the park or swimming can be both therapeutic. (Read more here.)

You are in the best position to observe the changes in your dog. Once the vet has recommended the appropriate foods and exercises for your dog, you can also help ease your dog’s pain by rubbing their muscles gently or taking them to a dog massage specialist.

Does your dog seem to be in pain lately? Perhaps a visit to the vet will finally settle once and for all if your dog has arthritis. Whatever the diagnosis may be, the most important thing is for your canine friend to get help and be comfortable, no matter what.