Month: September 2014

What are the current dog food trends for dogs-senior dog

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR CORN-FREE AND GRAIN FREE.

Grains contribute to a healthy and balanced diet that is beneficial to their overhall health. Understnding the broad dietary needs of your dog will help you make an informed decision  about what dog food you select.

Corn contributes to a balanced diet. A balanced diet will keep your og healthy and improve his life. Corn proides protein, enery, and linoleic acid, which is essential fatty acid for dogs. Ounce for ounce, corn has twice the level of aantidoxidants as an apple.

Raw Diet is Bad. I know many breeders who suggest that raw is better. A raw food diet is unhealthy for dogs, especially senior dogs. This diet may expose them to the threat of foodborne pathogens. Most importantly raw diets may not provide dogs with the complete and balance nutrition they need.

Omega 6 fatty acids are foubd in plant sources whereas Omega 3-fatty acids are typically found in marine sources. These fatty acids are important components of a dog’s diet and have avariety of biological functions , including promoting healthy skin,coat and immune system, and  helps to regulate inflammation.

The best coaching advice  can give would be to spend a little time reading the labels before purchasing food. Find out what the best food is for your best little guy.

LONG LIVE THE SENIOR Dog

How to Add Year’s to Your Pet’s Life

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Excercise and Older Dogs/Help your senior stay active

if your little guy is over seven years old,now is the perfect time to get him in a regular program of exercise.

Inside  your aging pet, just as with us humans, metabolism is slowing, organ function (brain function) is slowing, and the response to disease via the immune system is not what it used to be. In addition, seniors will urinate more often, and will need more frequent walks.  It is easy to watch our little ones sleeping. They look so peaceful and comfortable. They seem content to us. But the bottom line is this, a little exercise can improve quality of life and perhaps slow the progression of aging, including the advancement of arthritis.

Exercise stimulates all tissues as it increases blood flow. Tissues become oxygenated and toxins are removed from them easier.  Exercise  helps bowel function. This is especially important in older dogs. Without adequate use , muscles weaken  and atrophy.

1) Walking is excellent. Start with  10-15 minutes a day and then increase  to 1-2 hours, three times a week

2) Spend more interactive playtime with your older guy. more tug of war, more games of fetch. You both will benefit from this play.

3) Normally when your guy is sore-he will not want to move. Try glucosamine supplements

4) Watch the weight!!! I cannot emphasize this enough. If you have  to switch to light, or weight management, consider those. i supplement these with chicken or liver. Good nutrition is especially important at this stage of life.

5) If you haven’t already, get  your senior on a good vitamin and mineral supplement.

6) Finally a younger more active companion makes him want to get up and move.  Bella is Chico’s companion, She is now two years old and quite the energized pointer-non-stop. She loves to chase him and he is motivated to run.  I supervise  this play to ensure that my little guy does not overdo.

Separation Anxiety in Older Dogs

Older dogs , in many cases misbehave, not because they don’t know the rules, but , for many reasons, are unable to follow them.

Separation anxiety is one of the most common behaviour problems seen in older dogs. Your little guy will become anxious when he senses you are about to leave.  Often this same little guy will become destructive, barks or howls, may urinate or defecate.  When you do return he is exhuberant. Chico has decided to lay in front of the door when he senses that I am leaving.  Then I have to go into the treat and retreat mode.

Here are some tips to assist you in leaving without the guilt associated  with leaving.

1) Do not make a big deal about leaving or coming home

2) Teach your dog to relax

3) Change your departure cues ( I put my purse outside the door before leaving), such as the alarm going off-going to closet to get your shoes or coat

4) Associate your departure with something good. Give your dog a Kong filled with treats, or some other treat that will make him work-and not notice as you head for the door

5)  Break up your dogs day-if you will be gone all day-consider day care-perhaps not five days, but two or three days a week. Or you might consider a mid day dog walker

6) Crate your dogs-Dogs feel safe and covered

7) Lastly, as a last ditch effort-if all else has failed-you might look into drugs, such as Clomicalm. Just know that medication is not enough to alleviate the problem.

LONG LIVE THE SENIOR DOG!!!

 

Senior Care Kennels

I hate to spend even one night away from Chico and Bella because they are such a big part of my daily life. But sometimes for any number of reasons , you simply must put your senior dog in a kennel for one night or more. Before making a choice and dropping him off, there are a few things you should consider.

Has your senior stayed in a kennel before?  If this is his first time, he may find it harder to adjust in a kennel than a typical older dog. Seniors tend to be set in their ways and are accustomed to their daily routine, which includes being with you at home. If he has been in this kennel before, it will be much easier. Try daycare a couple of days before. He will see that you do return.

Does the kennel have special facilites and routines for seniors? Before selecting a kennel, take a tour. make sure the facility’s layout and design is senior-dog friendly.

  • No overly high barriers that he must step across
  • No long staircase that he’ll be expected to climb
  • Plenty of soft , cushy areas where he can rest
  • A senior only area where he can get away from rambunctious pups and aggressive adults

Is the kennel staff friendly? Many kennel workers are dog lovers by nature, however, as you know, caring for a senior can require more patience and knowledge.

You need to ask these questions while touring:

  • Does the kennel regularly care for seniors
  • Is the staff experienced with the needs and temperament of seniors
  • Has the staff received additional training to help them deal with the needs of seniors

How can you find senior care in your area? Start by asking friends and neighbors who have senior dogs? If they have had bad experiences they can share with you. Obviously that goes for good experiences as well. You can ask your vet  for suggestions.

You want to ensure that this is a good experience and if needed again, it will be easier to navigate.

long live senior dogs!11