Anyone who owns an older dog knows just how special they are and how much we want to care for them so that we continue to enjoy each other's company.
This article explains specific tips for arthritis weight loss and diabetes.
Dogs enjoy widely differing life span depending on their breed, the size and the lifestyle.
A Great Dane may only see 8 years, while my beautiful boxer cross lived to 16 ½ and recently I saw a foxie which is reputed to be 27 years old.
There are things we can do to ensure your dog lives a happy life to its full potential.
1.
Exercise.
The obvious one is that your dog needs a walk every day.
This is so important for dogs, they love it.
Sights, smells other dogs and new people to pat them.
Try varying the route you take, they too love variety in their lives.
If you have access then the beach or a lake is perfect, even old dogs feel like puppies again when they smell the fresh air.
Swimming is fantastic exercise for them.
2.
Diet.
Just like you a dog needs a good diet to be healthy.
Take your vets advice.
Do not give dogs junk human food.
Its not really a treat for them it just makes us feel good in some weird kind of way to watch a dog eat human food.
3.
The bottom line is if you don't want your dog to have human problems such a s diabetes and obesity don't feed it like a human.
They are far less likely to be demanding and annoying to visitors if they have clear boundaries about what and when they are feed.
4.
Dogs don't just get fat, we make them fat.
This extra is a huge strain on their heart and their joints.
5.
If you have a pickup, take care about your dog jumping out.
The landing places massive stress on their leg, hip and spinal joints.
Remember when you were a teenager? You could run and jump easily, but in your late thirties and certainly for forties you became more cautious and wouldn't jump down any longer to protect your knees.
You dog is the same.
If you stop the high jumping before they injure themselves then they are less likely to get arthritis.
Start your dog at a young age on an arthritis blend of minerals, glucosamine MSM and fish oil.
They will be active for years beyond expectations if you do this simple thing, and dogs love fish oil, its also great for their coat.
Make sure your dog is insulated from the cold with their bedding.
This is also a simple way to stave off arthritis.
Just imagine how your bones would feel on a cold floor.
Its easy to tell if a dog is cold.
They curl up in a tight ball.
When they are warm they stretch out and relax.
This is also good for their muscles.