#aging dog

The dog's tail is starting to turn white at the end.

I've pretty much relied on lots and lots of walking to keep Mango happy her whole life, but I'm having to face the reality that a two hour walk on the flat now wipes her out, and any kind of significant hill requires frequent breaks, so while I will still ferret out new Mango-friendly trails, I need other things to keep her life full. Just because she doesn't want to come walking with Rhu and I doesn't mean all she wants to do is sleep.

So what do you all do? She's never been into toys unless they have easy to retrieve food, she loves to sniff and she loves to snuggle. She doesn't like crowds and noise and she at best tolerates other dogs. Loves training. Things I have thought of:

Collect smells when I'm out with Rhu and he stops for a sniff. Yet to figure out how to collect the smell though, if anyone has suggestions

Snuffle mats (we do this already, big hit)

Pick up scent work again

Stop at random places and just let Mango have 15 minutes to sniff somewhere new

I'm conscious I don't need things to tire her out, but that I want her to still have fun low energy things in her life. She would just sleep all day without complaint, but i owe her more than that

Cali’s Village

It takes a village … to care for an aging dog. One of the things I like best about living in Missoula is the wonderful community I have here. I tell myself that it extends to Cali (and now Orly) as well; in truth, it’s their community, and the kind members are welcoming to me as well … Cali recently had some unfortunate medical news. She had had an ultrasound where the vet saw suspicious lesions…

For Christmas of 2005, I was gifted a beagle-basset hound mix puppy who had been born October of that year.

He didn’t get the best care. I was a kid and my mom didn’t educate herself, stuck with old ways. He was obese most his life, weighing 50 pounds when he was supposed to be 40.

Now he barely weighs 30 pounds. His health is declining now. He’s over thirteen years old. But he is still happy as can be. I wish I were more like him, just happy to be alive!

Do you have an older dog that is having trouble getting around? If so, then you’ll want to read today’s guest post. (Consideration was provided for the editing, review, and publishing of this guest post.)

Watching your dog age can sometimes be heart-breaking, to say the least. Obviously, where dogs age faster than humans, we tend to notice changes in their physical strength and agility. Like with people there is no instant cure for aging; however, there are methods and treatments available that can assist in keeping your dog mobile and stronger for longer.

The first tip would be to make sure your dog is not overweight. Slim dogs are far agiler than plump ones, and this applies to most animals. This would simply be a case of reducing the pet food given, to ensure they lose weight. This may cause your dog to be hungry, which initially could be difficult to cope with. However, for many pets, it’s the ideal solution. Senior dogs should be fed a good quality complete diet, and you can usually find diets and guides for your particular breed, Hills Dog Food being a fine example.

Frequent, gentle exercise would work in keeping your dog’s muscles in check, as well as their joints supple. Regular, short interesting walks would be recommended over long infrequent walks.

Sore joints and arthritis are common amongst older dogs and can cause intolerable pain which often results in euthanasia. Dogs will tend to reduce their mobility to relieve pressure on painful joints. There is a broad range of anti-inflammatory medications (i.e Metacam) which can help ease the pain and improves the function of the joints. You should try a different medication for 10 days or so until you find what is best for your pooch. It is entirely plausible that joints are the sole problem for your dog’s mobility issues, in which case this sort of medication generally helps.

Similar to medication, there are nutritional supplements which are known for working well for joints. If used for a few weeks, you should be able to see the improvements in your dog’s mobility. Synoquin is a well-renowned example, which works well over time.

Recently, practices such as acupuncture have been known to help dogs, although it is best to discuss these sorts of options in depth with your vet before considering the best course of action.

There are other forms of “alternative" types of treatment (homeopathy, crystals, etc.) However, some lack scientific proof as to their effectiveness.

Obviously, you would want to find whatever is best to keep your dog active and mobile for as long as possible. The most tested and proven methods are primarily recommended. It is hard to go wrong with healthy food quantity and good exercise. If you can afford the pet medication, it is available, and again it tends to work.

(Editor’s note: Always confer with your veterinarian before starting your pet on any new medication. Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), while often effective, can have side effects and your veterinarian can help you determine whether your pet is a good candidate for these medications or whether another form of pain relief is advisable.)

Aging Dog? Natural Tips To Treat At Home

Wow, what a year! Let me recap; January…Sold my house in PA, only took 3 months to sell. House hunting. February…Packing and house hunting March….Packing, Made offer on new house and offer accepted! House hunting. April…Wisdom teeth taken out, major downsizing and found new home for 2 out of 3 of my pets, very sad. Packing. May…Closing on PA house and RI house. MOVE!! June…Getting settled in new…