As the years go by, pet parents start to notice their pups lagging behind on walks. They can’t keep up with the younger dogs and become less inclined to exert themselves. Aging is a natural process that can limit your dog’s physical activity.
As the years go by, pet parents start to notice their pups lagging behind on walks. They can’t keep up with the younger dogs and become less inclined to exert themselves. Aging is a natural process that can limit your dog’s physical activity.
Just like humans, our furry companions often experience mobility issues later in life. Many pets develop arthritis, which makes it painful to navigate stairs and furniture. All of a sudden, owners might notice their senior pet bumping into the coffee table or tripping over objects left on the floor. Stiff joints, visual impairments and other disabilities are all normal parts of the aging process.
Any pet parent can tell when a pup is approaching their senior years. They look a bit gray in the snout, and long hikes through the woods become increasingly difficult. But these aren’t the only signs of old age. Senior dogs might begin to act peculiar, often staring at blank walls or howling at odd hours of the night. In some cases, this could signal the onset of cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
In their puppy years, dogs need plenty of stimulation and attention. As they age, it’s even more important to maintain your dog’s cognitive health. Like humans, dogs can experience cognitive decline in their later years, and you might notice they’re more lethargic and less prone to excitement. While all dogs tend to slow down a bit in their senior years, there are ways to prevent cognitive issues—like cognitive dysfunction syndrome—from affecting them. One of the main ones is through their diet.
Senior dogs are at risk of developing a range of health problems as they age. Mobility problems are especially common as dogs grow older, whether caused by arthritis, fatigue or a more serious problem like hip dysplasia. But another less-discussed problem that can impact not only mobility but overall wellness is muscular atrophy.
If a senior cat is part of your family, you’ve treated them to a lifetime of love and happiness, particularly around the holidays. However, it can be difficult to determine what the best gift for your senior cat is. Another toy? Their favorite treats, again? This year, consider going outside the box and giving your feline friend the gift of a healthy and agile body.
Throughout their lives, we expect our dogs to remember a lot of things. They learn the location and layout of our homes, we teach them commands and tricks, and they remember their favorite toys, places, humans and even words! However, because dogs can’t speak, it’s not as easy to know what’s going on in their heads, or if they’re starting to have trouble remembering things.
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