Author: Dorothy

What to Do in Case of Seizures in Older Dogs

Keeping calm is so important

A seizure is generally associated with a human condition since a person commonly suffers from it. But did you know that dogs share this disorder too? Yes, that’s right. In fact, a canine seizure is quite a common occurrence just like that of a human’s. This happens due to various factors.

Now, when you find your older dog suffering from seizure, it may already be a symptom of a serious illness or a result of other conditions. Witnessing your pet experience this can be really scary, especially if you don’t know what to do while it happens. That said, here is a simple guide of what to do in case of seizures in older dogs.

What to Do in Case of Seizures in Older Dogs

Witnessing your dog experience a seizure can be a frightening thing. The important thing to do is simply remain calm. Do not try to grab the tongue; it is an old wives’ tale that you can swallow your tongue during a seizure. Most likely you will get bitten or injure your dog if you attempt this. Clear the area around your dog and make sure there are no loud noises or flashing lights around. Keep children and other dogs away from the area where your dog is seizing. Calmly talk to your dog and pet him gently staying away from the head. It is debatable whether this does anything but some dogs seem to be comforted by their owner’s reassuring presence after the seizure. If possible time the seizure to see how long it lasts. If it lasts more than four minutes, if this is your dog’s first seizure, or if the seizures recur then seek immediate veterinary care. (Click here to read more info on canine seizures)

While the onset of seizure cannot be controlled, most dogs know when something is wrong with their bodies and can sense if something is about to happen. Your pet will either run to you for comfort or hide somewhere else, suddenly becoming nervous or agitated. When your dog seeks comfort from you, be sure to pay close attention to him as you’ll never know the exact moment the seizure will happen. It may be a few minutes or a few hours before it takes place.

That is why it’s important to know what to do in case of seizures in older dogs, especially if your beloved old pet is suffering from seizure for the first time.

Mistakes You Should Avoid in House Training an Older Dog

Training older dogs is different, but not impossible!

House training your dog so you won’t have to clean after accidents is one of the most important responsibilities of any dog owner. The process might be a little difficult but is really rewarding. You won’t have to deal with these accidents inside the house and you’ll have more time for yourself and your dog. However, housetraining an older dog becomes a greater challenge because some bad habits have been around for quite some time and eliminating them would mean devoting a lot of time and effort and without any assurance that there would be any difference.

Despite of its difficulty, house training an older dog isn’t something you can’t do. All you need is the patience and determination and you’re good to go. There are, however, some mistakes you should avoid in house training an older dog if you wish to succeed in your endeavors. It is truly crucial and pivotal that you stay away from these mistakes because a single one might mean the failure of your house training efforts. Here are two of these common housebreaking mistakes.

Mistakes You Should Avoid in House Training an Older Dog

The first conclusion one comes to when having trouble with a dog eliminating outside instead of in the house is we didn’t get the dog outside in time.  This can in fact be the problem but many times there is a very common mistake made that most people aren’t even aware of.

Your dog’s nose is a big part of the decision making process in most things done in a day.  This includes where the dog bathroom is located.

If your dog has made a mistake in the house and it hasn’t been removed properly, your dog still smells it.  Even if you can’t see it or smell it, your dog does… the smell part anyway.  Seeing is not one of a dog’s best attributes. (Click here to learn more about these mistakes and of the ways you can avoid them)

House training an older dog is no easy undertaking but it offers you the benefit of not having to deal with accidents inside the house. There are several different strategies you can employ in house training an older dog but be sure to know about the mistakes you should avoid in house training an older dog in order for your house training efforts be a success and experience all the rewards of owning a properly house trained older dog for a pet.

Housebreaking an Older Dog Using the Umbilical Cord Method

Older dogs should be housebroken, too.

Any dog owner would want to eliminate the accidents that the pet is causing inside the house. Young dogs aren’t that much of a problem for you but having an older dog for a pet will certainly make the process of housebreaking your pet much more difficult. Most adult dogs have not been given any housebreaking prior to your ownership so you’d literally have to start from the basics. And though it is not entirely true that you cannot teach old dogs new tricks, housebreaking can be a little more difficult as compared to housebreaking a younger dog.

There can be a time that no matter how extensive your efforts might be, your dog will not seem to learn and stop having accidents inside the house. If you don’t seem to be having any progress with it, you could try housebreaking an older dog using the umbilical cord method and see the amazing results.

Housebreaking an Older Dog Using the Umbilical Cord Method

1. Put a 6 foot leash on the dog and tie it to your belt. The dog is connected to you (umbilical cord). He goes where you go.

2. When it is not possible to keep the dog tethered to you on the leash, he should be placed in his crate. (Except for overnight, a dog should not be crated for more than 3 to 4 consecutive hours. Many working people find it necessary to hire a pet sitter to give the dog an afternoon “break.”)

3. Take the dog outside every hour using the verbal cue “want to go out?” in a happy high pitched tone when you get to the door. (Click here to learn the steps on how you can housebreak your older dog using this method)

A lot of dog owners give up all hope when their older dogs just don’t seem to have any progress with their housebreaking. Most would completely yield and make do with the little accidents inside the house or would let go of their pet. This is not advisable and there are several ways that can help you in housebreaking your adult dog, the umbilical cord method for an instance.

Housebreaking an older dog is really difficult but it is not impossible as long as you have the patience to do it. It often involves several steps which you have to follow very closely. Housebreaking an older dog using the umbilical cord method is one of the easiest and most effective housebreaking techniques out there that you can use to your advantage.

Do Senior Dogs have Special Nutritional Needs?

It is normal for an aging dog to undergo different physiological changes. You may notice that your older dog is now getting slower than before. You may see that his appetite changes drastically. He used to love eating practically anything. But now, he seems to have lost interest in food.

These changes may give you a lot of stress. That’s why it’s important to be aware of what these changes are so it will be easier for you to tend to your pet’s needs effectively and keep up with his eating habits. Now the question is: do senior dogs have special nutritional needs?

Two veterinarians explain this here:

“Seniors and geriatrics generally need lower-calorie diets to help prevent obesity — a huge problem in seniors — and higher-fiber diets to improve gastrointestinal health,” Metzger says.

“Probably the most important thing for a geriatric dog is that their energy requirement gets lower,” Nunez says. With a slower metabolic rate, older dogs are more likely to become overweight or obese.

In that case, foods labeled “multi-stage” would be acceptable for puppies, adults, and seniors. “You make some compromises when you do the ‘multi-stage’ diets,” Nunez says. “So they’re my second choice. But some people just can’t separate the foods. The puppy will get into the senior diet, and the senior dog will get into the puppy food.”

Metzger tells WebMD that when it comes to snacks, you should serve your senior dog healthy, low-fat, low-sodiumtreats. Although many dog owners think of bones and milk biscuits as snacks, there are alternatives. “Vegetables are great,” Metzger says. “Most dogs like carrots and apple slices.” But avoid grapes and raisins because they’re harmful to dogs. (Click here to read more)

Watching your senior dog live through the last stage in his life is not easy. It’s hard to see your beloved pet during his last years, especially when his organs are starting to shut down. But death is a natural part of life, for both humans and animals, and there is nothing you can do about it.

So while you can’t prolong your dog’s life, you can still make his remaining days with you happy and memorable. Now that you know the answer to “do senior dogs have special nutritional needs?” the best thing you can do is provide proper diet, nutrition, care and medication for your aging beloved pet. After all, nothing beats a healthy dose of tender loving care from his owner.

Home Remedies For Dog Ailments

Seeing your dog get sick can be stressful since you can’t help but worry about his condition. While it is important to seek the presence of a veterinarian and the medical help he can give, there are things you can do to treat your dog at home. There are simple and easy to prepare home remedies for dog ailments that you can use to make your pet feel better.

This can be done when your dog is not suffering from a serious illness and veterinary assistance is not immediately required. Not only can it save you from time and money, it can also help relieve your beloved dog from any pain or discomfort. So here are some simple home remedies that you can give to your pet.

Home Remedies For Dog Ailments

 Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been used to cure skin and coat problems in pets. The vinegar should be sprayed or dabbed on affected areas. Its best applied twice daily until the skin condition gets better.

Benadryl

It’s important to consult the vet before giving your pet human medication such as baby aspirin or bendryl. If the medication is given in the wrong amount or in combination with other drugs, it causes adverse side effects and may even be toxic.

Baby Aspirin

Baby aspirin shouldn’t be used on puppies as it can be toxic to dogs weighing 2 lbs or less. In most cases aspirin is used to relieve symptoms of joint pain, arthritis and fever.

Pepto Bismol

Several pet owners consider giving their pets Pepto Bismol to treat diarrhea, vomiting and indigestion. Although the treatment brings relief in some pets, it cannot be used in all dogs. (Click here to read more)

It feels good to know that you can take care of your dog at home just by using home remedies. Just how your mom provides you with reassurance and home treatments when you’re sick, you can do the same for your pet. If you don’t have any idea how to prepare home remedies for dog ailments, you can always conduct your own research to learn a few tips from the expert.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you no longer need a veterinarian for your pet. This is just a mere alternative to save you from getting too much stress. Remember that routine vaccinations and proper medication as well as balanced diet are also needed to keep your dog happy and healthy.