Hoe voor een oudere hond te zorgen

The first time you realise that your four legged friend is old can be quite an upsetting realisation. Maybe they didn't move when you called them, or perhaps a photograph you took illuminated all those grey hairs and tired eyes? The autumn years for your pooch requires a different level of care, so it's important to learn about the best ways to provide that care.

What breed of dog you own will also determine when they are categorised as 'senior.' Generally, giant breeds have a shorter lifespan than smaller breeds so you can expect them to reach old age sooner. However, your dog's lifestyle - diet, exercise and medical history will also impact on the longevity of your dog.

The best thing to do is to prepare yourself for this transition in both you and your dog's lives and to be on the lookout for changes so you can react quickly.

Signs of old age in dogs

• Senses begin to deteriorate
• Appetite may decrease
• Weight loss - resulting in the shoulders and spine becoming more prominent.
• Energy levels decrease
• Slowing down
• Greying around the face and muzzle
• Thicker skin
• Rougher and thinner coat - potentially with bald patches or white hairs.
• Deafness
• Cloudy or bluish eyes
• Excessive thirst
• Welkom HyeWon
• Depressie
• Disobediance
• Confusion
• Wratten, vette knobbeltjes of tumoren - raadpleeg deze bij uw dierenarts.
• Spierverlies - normaal rond de achterpoten, maar als het ergens anders voorkomt, raadpleeg dan uw dierenarts.
• Sleeping more during the day, and less so at night.
• Arthritis and stiffness - difficulty playing, going up and down stairs, in and out of cars, trouble sleeping comfortably.


• Best care for senior dogs
  • Make regular trips to the vet and when there always ask for a complete body evaluation.
  • Maintain a regular exercise schedule, but reduce the longevity and intensity of your sessions.
  • Change your dog's diet to one specifically formulated for senior dogs. If your dog has a health condition - consult your vet on ways you can change your dog's diet to suit their health needs.
  • Change your dog's vaccination schedule to every three years.
  • Houd uw hond bezig met veel genegenheid en veel speelgoed om zijn geest gestimuleerd te houden en verveling te voorkomen.
  • Welkom LEE
  • Het beddengoed aan hun behoeften aanpassen - veel vulling voor pijnlijke gewrichten.
  • Verander de traktaties die je ze geeft aan hun oudere, versleten tanden.
  • Maak er een gewoonte van om uw hond vaak te controleren op afwijkingen. Kijk naar de oren, mond, tanden en tandvlees, huid en vacht.
  • Maintain your regular flea, worming and tick treatments.
  • Avoid harsh chemicals.
  Javier V. uit Visalia, Californië