Bringing your family dog home for the first time is a moment that stays with dog owners for the rest of their life. From their first outing outside the sanctuary of your backyard to returning home from work one evening, only to find that your new bundle of fluff has made your favorite pair of slippers their new chew toy – you will create memories together that you will both undoubtedly cherish.
However, just like any other great family pets, there will come a time when you’ll start to notice that your puppy is no longer a puppy anymore and has started the inevitable journey toward senior hood. Dogs are often considered seniors when they’ve reached five or six years old, and while aging is no big deal, there are several significant indicators that your dog is not the energetic pup they once were.
One of the most significant clues is the development of age-related health problems, such as arthritis, incontinence, sight loss, deafness, and obesity, which can cause them to require more medical attention. Watching your dog age can be challenging, so I’ve listed some of the most frequently occurring health issues below to ensure your pooch makes the most of its golden years.
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Canine Hip Dysplasia
Although it is more common to see symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs of one to two years, signs can appear from as early as a couple of months old to the later years of a dog’s life. Hip dysplasia in dogs (CHD) is a degenerative disease that causes the ball and socket of a dog’s thigh bone/pelvis not to fit together correctly or the muscles in the area to develop poorly.
Spotting the signs of hip dysplasia in dogs can be difficult since the disease can develop alongside others, but the most common symptoms are as follows:
- Displaying less energy.
- Hind legs appear lame.
- Motion difficulty, like rising, running, jumping, or climbing stairs.
- Stiffness or limping.
- Loss of muscle mass on the hind legs and many more.
If left untreated, the disease can cause other complications, such as osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, so it is essential that you consult with a professional as soon as possible if you suspect your dog could be suffering from any of the above symptoms so that they can advise you of the next course of action.
Learn more about canine hip dysplasia by consulting your veterinarian or reading online articles about its prevention, causes, treatment, and symptoms from the team over at Native Pet. As well as producing specialized supplements, chews, and toppers for pets of all ages, their website is full of valuable learning materials to help pet owners give their furry companions the best quality of life – consider checking their website out for more information.
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Incontinence
Cleaning up after your pets have an ‘accident’ can be a nuisance at the best of times. As your furry companion approaches senior hood, these ‘accidents’ can become more frequent and unpleasant. As your pet ages, its muscles, nerves, and organs begin to deteriorate, which makes it more challenging for them to control its urges for extended periods; therefore, it is essential that you regularly check them for any dampness or soiling.
Depending on how bad their incontinence is, these issues might be able to be controlled by over-the-counter medications. However, like most health issues, incontinence can be a symptom of other underlying problems which might not be able to be countered by prescription, so it is always best to talk to a professional once your pet starts displaying signs of incontinence to ensure nothing more sinister is afoot.
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Issues With Joints And Arthritis
Issues with joints and the development of arthritis are one of the most common health issues in elderly pets. One in five dogs suffers from joint issues or arthritis, making it one of the easiest (and most recognizable!) health problems that can affect your sweet senior. Typically, the condition affects the joints that bear the most weight, which can give your dog trouble getting up or down the stairs, make it more challenging to play ball games, and much more.
Some of the most easily identifiable symptoms of joint issues or arthritis are as follows:
- Lameness in one or more limbs.
- Stiff, sore, or swollen joints.
- Difficulty going up or down the stairs.
- A change in gait.
- Reluctance to get in or out of a vehicle, and much more.
Fortunately, unlike other health issues on this list, joint problems and arthritis can be easier to treat by changing your pet’s diet, giving them prescribed medications from your local veterinarian, enrolling them in physical therapy, which can help soothe any pain they might be experiencing and make their golden years a more pleasurable experience.
