Elderly dog problems can take many shapes but one of the main ones focuses around the joints. If you have an older dog here are some problems to keep an eye out for and some things that you can do to prevent them.
One of the main problems with elderly dogs and even people is arthritis and joint pain. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, which in severe cases can be debilitating.
As a dog gets older is important to keep the dog in lean condition. Obesity will just contribute to arthritic pain.
Even though your dog may be a couple pounds overweight and it may not seem like a lot to you, remember that their joints are much smaller and not designed to carry a lot of weight.
As your dog ages their metabolism slows so it’s a good idea to feed a reduced calorie diet.
Another common condition in elderly dogs is eye sight loss. Many dogs will develop cataracts and may even develop blindness over the years.
In fact many dog owners may not realize a dog is blind or cannot see until they move the furniture. Dogs are very good at memorizing where objects in the house are.
So as long as objects are always in the same spot a dog will not run into them. It is only when you move furniture around that you may notice that your dog is having trouble seeing.
If you’re worried about elderly dog problems it is best to take your pet to the vet twice a year for complete physical exams. Remember that dogs age much faster than people, so twice yearly exams are a good idea.
