.As people get older, they often develop, or at least become more susceptible to, a variety of different health conditions that need to be taken care of in various different ways from medication to exercise. Dogs, it might surprise you to learn, are no different. They also develop illnesses and conditions as they age, many of which are identical to those that older humans have to face. Unlike humans, however, a dog can’t let you know that something is wrong. They can’t explain what they need or what’s hurting. So, it can be hard to spot health problems in older dogs. Read on for just some of the things that can plague an older dog. Then you can be prepared to help where you can.
Health problems in older dogs
Arthritis
Many dogs develop arthritis as they get older. Arthritis causes swelling in the joints, making them stiff and painful. Therefore, your dog might not want to be as active as they once were. Even daily walks might no longer hold any enjoyment for them. If you’ve noticed that your dog is reluctant to exercise, or that their legs are stiff when they do, arthritis might be the cause, especially if they are older.
Depending on how severe the arthritis is, treatments can range from pills to surgery. No matter what, making your home more comfortable for the dog (ensuring his or her bed is downstairs, for example), and reducing the length of walks can be a big help.
Tooth Decay
Although some owners do brush their dog’s teeth on a regular basis, the majority don’t. That means tooth decay can become a problem as they get older. If your dog suffers from tooth decay you might see they have trouble eating and that their breath is unpleasant (or more so than usual anyway). As well as being painful, if a dog can’t eat they will become malnourished and unwell.
A good, healthy diet from dogfoodcare.com will help to keep your dog’s teeth in good shape, but gently brushing them once a day can be extremely beneficial as well. If this is impossible, there are chews that your dog can eat that will help to clean the teeth somewhat.
Dementia
It’s true, dogs can develop dementia as they get older, resulting in them becoming very confused even in familiar surroundings with people they have known all their lives. This can manifest in pacing around and barking or even growing at people they have never shown aggression to before. They might not follow commands anymore, not because they are being naughty, but because they no longer remember what those commands mean.
Sadly there is nothing that can be done in terms of medication for a dog with dementia, but your love and care will help them during their last days. It’s also important to make sure your home is dog-proofed; they may forget their way around and that could become dangerous for them.
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