Older Dog Care - Tips for Senior Dog Health

By Emmy E Bill

 
It's never pleasant to think about, but dogs age faster than humans and older dog care will become necessary. Before you know it, your dog will be showing signs of age-but this isn't a bad thing; it just means that you're going to have to give him some extra special care. Dogs begin to show visible age-related changes at about seven to twelve years of age. 


There are several changes that occur and it is your job as an owner to be prepared for them. Some of the changes are unavoidable; others can be managed or treated with diet, medications, or other forms of therapy. Read the information and follow the steps below to help make your dog's adult life enjoyable!

1) Feeding the right diet. Size is used to determine when it's time to feed your dog a senior diet.
• Small breeds, less than 20 lbs-7 years of age
• Medium breeds, 21 to 50 lbs-7 years of age
• Large breeds, 51 to 90-6 years of age
• Giant breeds, 91 pounds or more-5 years of age

2) Be aware of common health issues that may arise. This may include:
• Deterioration of skin and coat
• Loss of muscle mass
• Intestinal problems
• Arthritis
• Obesity
• Dental problems
• Decreased ability to fight off infection

3) Prevent obesity. Dogs undergo changes in body composition that may cause them to put on body fat. This is most often caused by a slower metabolism. When it comes to older dog care and avoiding weight gain, feed your dog a diet that contains optimum levels of highly digestible protein to help maintain good muscle mass.

4) Focus on protein. Avoid "senior" diets that contain reduced levels of protein. Studies have shown that the protein requirement for older dogs does not decrease with age. Dogs need to maintain their muscle mass just like humans does.

5) Antioxidants including vitamin E and beta-carotene help eliminate free radicals that can damage your dog's body tissues and contribute to signs of aging. Foods that you purchase for your aging pet should contain high amounts of these compounds.

6) Regular veterinary exams are still important. This cannot be emphasized enough-routine care for older dog care is important for veterinarians to assess the presence or progress of chronic disease. Your vet can also give you tips to enhance your pet's life.
The main goal when feeding older dogs should be to maintain health and optimum body weight, slow or prevent the development of chronic disease, and minimize or improve clinical signs of diseases that may already be present. Keep an eye on your senior pet's health and ask a veterinarian about even the slightest concern.

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How To Care For Dog Paws In The Winter ?

By Alex Kelly 

With the weather getting colder it is advisable to think about protecting and caring for your dogs paws. Their pads are designed to withstand running and walking on different surfaces, but just as we would wear sandals on a hot beach or shoes in the snow their paw pads need looking after as well.

With the ice and snow possibly coming, the streets will be treated with grit and salt which can cause dry cracked skin and other irritations. Infections can also occur if the skin splits and is then walked on. Not only that but naturally a dog will lick and gnaw at the affected area, which of course means they will then ingest grit, salt and whatever else is on the streets, possibly causing vomiting and diarrhoea. Dryness is a big problem with dog pads. Naturally in winter we all need a bit more warmth, whether it's central heating or a cosy log fire is on these other factors can add to drying your dog's paw pads and add to the skin being irritated.

So start with trim the hair between their toes, this way they will have less chance of keeping salt crystals and wet mud particles in their pads throughout the day. Also long hair can cause your dog to have less grip on slippery surfaces.

Keep their nails trimmed as well. If they become too long they won't give your dog any grip which will force your dog to walk on his back feet. This added pressure on the back paws can make his toes spread which in turn allows more snow, grit etc to gather in between their toes creating balls of ice and dirt.
Foreign objects can become stuck in your dog's pads. Regularly check in between toes for thorns, small stones, bits of broken glass and other debris. This is something that should be done all year round.
Keep a towel and a bowl of warm water next to the front door for immediate paw rinsing and drying after walks.

There are many paw balm treatments on the market that should be applied weekly or as often as needed in harsh conditions. I would suggest doing it all year round as part of their grooming routine anyway. The balm should form a dense, barrier wax that creates a breathable bond with your dog's paws. There are some that have been developed for use with sledding dog's, it provides strong protection even in the most hostile conditions. Some are made from a blend of several food-grade waxes, then refined. Obviously check all ingredients in anything that you buy for your dog as they have a habit of licking their paws. 

You can use petroleum jelly but never use human skin lotions.
Massage their paws and pads to stimulate blood flow and relax their muscles and tendons. If you do it right they'll enjoy it just as much as you do when being massaged or manicured. Begin by rubbing between their pads and then rub between each toe working your way up their shins and legs.

Alternatively you could try and get your dog to wear dog boots. There are many varieties on the market that all offer great protection for your pet's paws. However, personally through trial and error, I've found that the rubber style boots, that allow your dog to feel and grip the ground below, are the easiest ones for them to get used to.

If in doubt, always check with a vet for the best treatments for your dog.

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How To Care For Pregnant Dog ?

By Kelly Marshall 

During their pregnancy, dogs go through the same highs and lows pregnant women go through. Their hormones are raging and their bodies undergo drastic changes. Like pregnant women, pregnant dogs should be given the same care and attention - proper diet, vitamins, and exercises.

Getting Your Dog Ready for Her Puppies
Unsupervised dog pregnancy might lead to complications or even a miscarriage. If you are not an experienced dog breeder, then doing a little research caring for a pregnant dog might be of some use to you. During your research, you could also come across helpful information that would help you care for your pregnant dog better.

Sometimes, it can be hard to tell if your dog is pregnant. The surest way to confirm if your dog is pregnant is to take her to a licensed veterinarian. Just by looking at your dog's abdomen and feeling it will alert the vet to the presence of growing pups. The vet can also estimate the due date of the pregnancy. Knowing when your dog is going to give birth to her puppies can help you prepare for the event.

Knowing when your dog is going deliver her puppies gives you ample time to prepare clean towels just for the event and to choose a place where your dog is going to whelp her puppies. As the event draws near, it is time to isolate your dog from other canines in the neighborhood or in your household. This is to prevent your dog from catching the herpes virus that is deadly for her puppies.

Nutrition
Though nature will take its course, your dog needs your attention and support during the birthing. She might go to her favorite spot, usually a cool dark place, where she can bring forth her "babies" privately. In the meantime, that she is on her way to motherhood, you play an important role as her caregiver.

Your dog's pregnancy will last for about three months - a little bit more or less. During this time, she should be fed properly. She should be given less fatty foods and more of organic and chemical-free foods and vitamins. Your veterinarian can provide you a list of healthy dog food for your pregnant dog. Her weight should be monitored if she is gaining the expected weight for pregnant dogs.

Exercise
Regular exercise is also a must in caring for a pregnant dog. During the early stages of pregnancy, regular or daily walks for the dog is strongly advised. However, in the final twenty days of pregnancy, strenuous exercise and outdoor exposure should be avoided.

Vaccination
Vaccination should also be avoided during pregnancy. Vaccination is allowed just before the breeding process. Her immunity will be passed on to the pups through lactation. If your dog is already on an on-going medication prior to pregnancy then you should definitely check with you veterinarian if it is safe to go on with the medication. Although most dog medicines are said to be safe during pregnancy, it is still wise to check first with a professional.

Another important thing you should be preparing for is where your dog is going to give birth. A large box big enough for your dog and her future puppies would do nicely. Make sure to line the box with newspapers and old towels for it is sure going to be messy when your dog gives birth to her pups. The newborn puppies should be staying in the box with their mum until they are about six weeks old, so make sure that it is durable and cozy enough for them.

If you follow these few simple steps and guidelines in a caring for a pregnant dog, which applies to all different dog breeds and types, then your dog is sure to give birth to newborn puppies safely and successfully.

Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find interactive dog toys, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.

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