A dog is considered older when it is 7-10 years old, for sizes less than 10 kg, and 6-8 years for those weighing more than 10 kg. As he spends less and his metabolic rate changes, your four-legged friend will require special attention and different needs. Protecting your health means monitoring the health of your teeth. To avoid tartar buildup, it is possible to purchase toys for your dog that fight the appearance of dental plaque, as is the case at Zoomalia, which offers them. This may seem trivial, but it is nevertheless necessary to pay attention to the tartar because ” It acts as a support for the development of bacteria that then migrate to other organs. […] If your dog is prone to lime, annual descaling is recommended. Troveau explains, before continuing. Prevention will avoid exposing your dog to a risky and painful intervention as much as possible Remember to clean his eyes well as dirt and bacteria can build up.
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Food, an important point for the health of your older dog
This is the key point in caring for your senior dog. The latter will already need a diet adapted to the metabolism because it will be less efficient. ” He spends less, loses muscle, and struggles to digest. So he should eat high-quality foods rich in omega, which are easy to digest, low in phosphorous, and low in calories. Truffaut reveals. To make sure he is provided with all the nutrients he needs, feel free to ask your veterinarian who will be able to advise you on the type of food to give him. Due to its age, your dog will also need more water than before. His kidneys, less efficient than before, require more in order to protect them (the kidneys) and to promote the filtration of water and potential bacteria.
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Monitor osteoporosis and promote age-appropriate physical activity
Because of less intense physical activity in addition to being overweight, your senior dog may be prone to what’s called locomotor arthritis, that is, at the joint level. To relieve her and prevent her from severe suffering, it will be necessary to provide her with a diet rich in vitamins D, E, C and omega 3 because her cartilage will become more fragile. Also, he will need to make an effort in order to monitor his weight. Obviously, the activity you propose to him must be adapted to his abilities and limitations.
While walking, he will also have to be stimulated in order to keep his cognitive abilities at the right level. Games, pedagogical exercises, all means are good to “spoil all your senses”. ” This stimulation is also possible on a daily basis at home thanks to clever toys such as the educational bowl or the burial mat. Truffaut is recommended. As you understand, with a lot of love and attention, your older dog will need to be accompanied during his day to day life so that his needs are met.