1300 489 873Over the years of having a dog in our lives we build up a great relationship with them as we grow old together. As with humans, the older our fur-friend gets, the more care and attention he needs. At some point we’ll begin to notice that our dog cannot walk as fast and long as before and also begins to reacts slower and needs much more sleep.
At What Age Does My Dog Count As ‘Old’
We all know the saying that 1 dog year counts for 7 human years. This calculation is outdated and wrong. In general you can say that the life expectancy for dogs has risen, because of advances in health based technology and dog owners having better awareness of their dog’s needs.
The conversion for dog years to human years is dependant on the size of the dog. This image below gives a good overview:
The orange line represents a small to medium dog, light brown represents a large dog and the dark brown represents an extra large dog
Signs of old age
Canines, just like us, see increased trouble with their joints, vision and their hearing as they get older. The bladder needs to be emptied more often and your dog might even become oblivious to this. As they become forgetful, in one moment your pooch had a plan to go outside and in the next moment he doesn’t remember why. Especially in the later years of his life, our fur-friend needs special care and modified exercise. Talk to your dog minder if you have a senior dog and discuss the special needs that your pooch has well in advance.
Exercise & Food
Just because your dog cannot chase after the ball anymore, cannot go for long walks or occasionally seems confused, it does not mean exercise is no longer required. Your pooch still needs mental and physical exercise. This can include searching for his favourite treat or going for a short swim on warm days. Swimming is a good way to gently move the joints. It is important to adjust everything to your pooches’ needs. Some older dogs do not like drastic change and love their daily routine and familiar surroundings. Some seniors have fun exploring new walking routes. Always make sure your fur-friend is comfortable and not pushed hard.
Remember to feed your dog at regular times to support good digestion. A special diet is also important; It is advisable to feed him food with lower energy levels and fat but higher nutrient levels. Consider adding a daily fish oil tab to their diet to promote good joint health.
