Dog Wellness - 8 Dog Ageing Signs

We often hear parents say they wish they had held their child more because as they look back, although their child is only six years old, they are not small babies anymore and the time seems to have passed so rapidly.  Pet owners often say the same thing, as their little puppy is suddenly a full grown adult dog at two years old. It is common knowledge that dogs age faster than humans and therefore dog wellness knowledge when it comes to ageing dogs is one of vast importance.

Dog wellness due diligence is to be aware of the five main signs your dog is ageing. What is important to know first is that dogs do not all age in the same way and at the same pace.  Much of the pace depends on their up keep.  A properly fed, exercised, loved and well socialized dog will likely age better with a stronger body and mind. However, they do age and seeing the signs ahead of time can make the difference between a well, gracefully ageing dog or a sick ageing one.

8 Signs Of An Ageing Dog

Stiffening joints and arthritis.  These the two most common dog ageing conditions.  It is likely your dog will be less interested in joining in the fun of playing ball or going out for a run.  He may seem reluctant to  partake in much activity.  Cold wet weather will contribute to his discomfort.

Doesn't recuperate at a normal pace.  When your dog doesn't recuperate from injuries or illnesses as fast it's can be a sign his ageing years are setting in and his physical health is changing.  At seven years of age the bones begin to lose density making it harder to heal.  If they are already exercising less muscle is losing mass and cartilage is wearing thin.  It is often at this stage that signs of arthritis begin to show.  An ageing dog's immune system also weakens which is why it is so important what he is fed in young life.  

Ensuring your dog has a strong immune system from the beginning and throughout his young life is a dog wellness practice that should not be ignored. Natural pet health care
is the best way to ensure your dog is living on the wellness side of life to make him strong for his ageing years.  A raw diet is a part of this with ingredients that keep his immune system strong on a consistent basis.  Using natural holistic medicine for illnesses as often as possible is another way to keep your dog from toxic damage and adds value to your dog's health.

Loss of hearing.  Although usually at a slow pace, loss of hearing takes place as the nerve cells begin to deteriorate.  Take note if you have to call your dog more times than normal or if you find you are calling him and he is not coming at all.

Loss of Vision.  At some point the eye lens becomes cloudy and although this does not cause major vision loss, sometimes cataracts can develop causing vision loss.

Cognitive Dysfunction is a common ailment of ageing dogs, which has a huge impact on their daily life and you’re as a pet owner as well.  Dog wellness due diligence is recognizing and properly handling this situation for your ageing dog.  People he knows well will suddenly feel like strangers to him.  He may also become nervous for no reason which can be a sign he has suddenly forgotten where he is.

Irritability and Less Tolerance sets in and shows itself in your dog when he has less patience for screaming kids jumping around him.  Good dog wellness practice means making sure your ageing dog has a quiet place he can retreat to when faced with this type of situation.  Make sure the kids know not to disturb the dog when he is in his quiet spot.  Another common time he may show less tolerance is at feeding time.  He may become more pushy.  Just make sure he still knows your the boss but help him out by feeding him a quicker pace, with no training involved.  In other words, consider leaving out making him work for his meal.

Decreased Activity means your ageing dog's metabolic rate is slowing down.  This is of course after you have checked for any injuries or physical discomfort that may also be causing less activity.  There can be other reasons for this so if you notice this in your dog your need to have it checked out immediately.

Weight Gain is a common factor of an ageing dog.  Senior dogs require anywhere from 30 to 40 percent fewer calories. Dog wellness practices means ensuring you switch your elderly dog to a senior appropriate diet, with the appropriate amount of calories for his age.  Neglecting this practice will result in obesity.  Remember that ageing dogs also exercise less so they are not able to burn the calories they used to. Amend his diet to suit is ageing lifestyle. 

A good dog wellness practice is dental hygiene but many pet owners are still not aware of how utterly important it is to brush their dog's teeth.  The value of this simple, no cost, procedure is not only good for his teeth and gums, but also valuable toward the health of his major organs.  This is because bleeding gums and tooth decay cause bacteria that travel through the blood stream and damage major organs, including the heart. If a dog's major organs and heart have taken on strain throughout his young years there won't be much left by the time he starts ageing, causing him to age with greater risk of serious illnesses. Dog dental care three times a week is a dog wellness practice that adds great value to the way your dog's body will handle ageing.

Help your dog age gracefully and happily by implementing strong dog wellness practices from a young age, utilizing natural pet health care and a raw diet to sustain his health, making him strong for his senior years.  Be aware of changes in your dog's behavior that can signify ageing, keeping an eye out starting from seven years old.  Make the necessary changes in his life to assist him through his senior years to give him the ease and support he needs and deserves.