Senior Dog Health Problems
More than 50% of older dogs will suffer from cognitive dysfunction, and at least 80% of senior dogs will suffer from arthritis. Did you know that the most common senior dog health problems are the same health problems that senior humans suffer from?
From arthritis to blindness, and even dementia/cognitive dysfunction, it’s important to know the signs and start on routines that will prevent or slow the onset of these terrible age-related ailments.
Simple changes such as the addition of vitamin supplements, a supportive bed, a balanced diet, and daily exercise can help keep our dogs as healthy as they can be. However, some of them will still suffer age-related health problems.
Arthritis
80% of senior dogs will suffer from arthritis. One of the first signs of aging for our furry friends is typically stiffness in their joints. Just like us, many of our furry family members will develop arthritis as they age. The most common form of arthritis in dogs is Osteoarthritis, also called Degenerative Joint Disease.
A lifetime of playing and adventures can take a toll on their hips and joints. Along with keeping them at a healthy weight with a high-quality diet, it is important to include supplements that come optimized for hip and joint health.
Alpha Paw Hip and Joint Chews contain turmeric, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin, and MSM. All are natural anti-inflammatory ingredients that will help keep your senior dog wagging into its golden years.
Adding a comfortable, supportive bed will do wonders for your four-legged senior buddy. Their joints need extra support as they continue to age and, a flimsy bed cannot offer that.
A Luxury Memory Foam Dog Bed from Alpha Paw is the perfect option for a long-lasting, ultra-supportive bed for your senior dog.
The beds come with gel-infused memory foam and fluffy bolsters and are machine washable covers for any unexpected accidents. Your dog is guaranteed to be supported no matter its favorite sleeping position.
Incontinence
As our canine companions age, so do their bladders. Unfortunately, just like senior humans, many aging dogs will suffer from incontinence. Even the most diligently potty-trained pup may start having accidents as they get older.
While a simple bladder control issue seems minimal, it is not. It could be a sign of an underlying condition and we recommend a visit to your veterinarian.
In the meantime, there is no reason to let newly occurring accidents impact your life. Schedule more potty time with your aging dog, and keep some durable pee pads handy. Consider using our Magic Pee Pads to help with the accidents.
The Magic Pee Pads come with odor-blocking carbon technology that neutralizes odors on the spot. Place them wherever your dog is prone to accidents. Each pad has a sticky tape backing to guarantee that the mess never goes anywhere else.
Obesity
Just like humans, if dogs don’t exercise on a regular basis and continue eating more than needed, obesity will strike. In 2013, Obie, a dachshund, became famous for all the wrong reasons. He had an extreme weight problem.
He was a Dachshund who weighed an eye-popping 77 lbs. A normal Dachshund weighs about 35 lbs. Thankfully, nowadays, Obie is down to a normal weight and aging at a very healthy weight.
Aging dogs with teeth issues won’t have a problem with the dog food, and pet parents take comfort in knowing the dog food is healthy!
Losing Their Senses
50% of dogs older than 11 will suffer from Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). Additionally, many aging dogs will suffer from hearing loss and blindness.
Just like humans, as dogs age, nerve degeneration and other functions slow down. That causes their brains to work differently as well as other vital parts of their body.
Like their human counterparts, dogs’ eyes can develop cataracts. So, it’s important to visit the vet and get a checkup when your dog shows signs it may have trouble with its vision.
Hearing loss is common in older dogs so have their hearing checked on a regular basis.
Sadly, as they age, many dogs will experience Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, which is very similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Dog older than 11 have a 50% chance of developing it.
Cancer/ Growths and Tumors
Sadly, at least 25% of dogs, seven years or older, will experience some form of cancer. The disease is still all too common in dogs and if you think your dog may have it, visit the vet immediately.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to spot the signs as different cancers will cause different symptoms. Fortunately for growths and tumors, they’re easy to spot.
Thankfully, most of the time, many of the growths are benign. That said, don’t put off a visit to the vet if you spot a new wart, moles, or fatty tumor on your fur buddy.
While we can’t examine our pets every day, we can be more aware of their bodies when we are grooming them. Brushing their hair, trimming their nails, and even playtime can be opportunities for belly rubs as well as a general pat-down for lumps and such.
Kidney Disease
One of the worst senior dog health issues is kidney disease. A urinalysis test can reveal early kidney changes.
Loss of appetite, increased thirst, and the need to pee are signs your senior dog may be suffering from kidney disease. Early detection and medication can treat the disease but there is no cure.
Final Thoughts
Dogs’ lives are much shorter than humans, and in the short time we have them, we should do our best to make their lives the best they can be! Do you have an older fur buddy? How are they doing? Share your thoughts in the comments!
