Preventative Tips and Creative Ideas for Increasing your Dog’s Life

by: Melissa Fisher

full article here

A lot of times we get into a rut with our relationship with dogs as they age.  We walk them less, stop teaching them new tricks, and don’t go out and explore new places as much together. With this comes a significant decline in mental and physical ability.  As dogs age they can develop  literally overnight new fears and disorders such as Cognitive dysfunction Syndrome which is equivalent to our Alzheimer’s.   Sometimes its a sudden fear of thunder, or develop anxiety, even have aggression towards other animals.  You might see them become clingyer and less social.  The good news is there are measures we can take to prevent this. We need to stretch them mentally and physically.  The more we teach and interact with them the more you we are able to control some of the reactions they may face when their older.  Here are some important tips on how to create a long, happy, balanced life for your dog.

1. Get out and explore the world together:  Dog boredom and depression happen too often in too many dogs.  Try changing directions on your daily walk, go for a hike, or enjoy a relaxing picnic together under a shaded tree after visiting the dog park.  You’ll never get a complaint out of him; seeing and sniffing new things is always exciting.

2. Socializing: is crucial in their development.  You can make  play dates with your friends dog as one idea.  Another would be to hire a pet sitter (good idea!) to play with him once a day while your at work.  This way he can build lasting relationships other humans and dogs. They learn new things and get plenty of exercise.

3. Examine your dogs environment at home: Are there new things your dog can discover? One suggestion would be to rotate new toys in.  Have specific toys just for certain occasions.  The toys will remain exciting to them and they will always feels new.  For example if your leaving town have a specific toy that is only allowed for the time he shares with his pet sitter.  Older dogs work best with high contrasting color toys so they can see them better.  Also keep in mind softer toys work best for older dogs.  Its gentler on their jaws and teeth.  Another fun suggestion would be to hide and sprinkle a bit a his food out in the yard.  So he has to sniff and hunt for his meal.  To start;  just sprinkle a bit in a relatively small area of the yard.

4. Teaching him a new trick: is a great way to keep his mind occupied; thus strengthening their brains and building their confidence levels up.  There are many tricks you can teach them that don’t require you to spend long lengths of time teaching.  To name just a few; bow, play dead, cover their eyes with their paws, shake, crawl, kiss or  hug.  By just taking 1 hour out of your day you can make the world of difference to your dog.

5. Grooming: is another way to bond with your pet.  Petting and brushing is not only relaxing to them but is quite therapeutic to our health as well.

6. Nutrition and Diet: The book titled “Why dogs die young and what we can do about it” suggests changing their food periodically, seasonally if you will just like the way a wild wolf would have different food seasonally, and also the way we would do.  Also, decrease their food intake.

7. Most importantly… Let love be your guide; get out there, be creative and have fun!   The bond that you share together will continue to grow stronger and your dog will thank you.  He’ll repay you with a long healthy life.  With less illnesses and medical procedures down the road. He’ll continue to reward you with many years filled with laughter, kisses, hugs, and smiles.

Here’s a list of health problems that you may witness on your dog, and what to do when you do witness them.  You can read the entire article and see the list here.

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• sign: abdominal pain or hardness
• possible causes or conditions: blocked bladder, severe constipation, pregnancy, intestinal problems, pancreatitis, peritonitis
• what to do: consult vet immediately

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• sign: changes in eating or drinking habits
• possible causes or conditions: stress or a variety of disorders
• what to do: consult vet; if dog hasn’t eaten for 24 hours, see vet asap

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• sign: coughing
• possible causes or conditions: allergies, upper and lower respiratory diseases, lung parasites, foreign bodies, heart disease, heartworm, abnormal windpipe
• what to do: add water or fiber (bran, pumpkin) to food, or add petroleum jelly to food with vet’s OK.  If condition persists, visit vet.

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• sign: dark residue or foul odor in ears, or dog shaking head or scratching ears
• possible causes or conditions: ear mites, ear infections, inhalant and food allergies, foreign objects trapped in ear
• what to do: consult vet within 24 hours

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• sign: diarrhea
• possible causes or conditions: stress, change in diet, food allergy, intestinal infection or parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, parvovirus, coronavirus
• what to do: if symptoms persist for more than a few days or are severe, accompanied by signs such a s weakness, vomiting or lethargy, consult vet at once

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• sign: difficulty breathing; wheezing
• possible causes or conditions: same as coughing, plus heart problems
• what to do: consult vet immediately

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• sign: difficulty urinating: blood in urine
• possible causes or conditions: urinary tract infection or irritation; stones, tumors
• what to do: consult vet immediately

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• sign: excessive scratching or licking
• possible causes or conditions: fleas, mites, skin disorders, allergies, wounds
• what to do: check for and eliminate fleas.  Relieve itch with cold, wet towels.  Otherwise, consult vet within 24 hours

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• sign: excessive thirst and urination
• possible causes or conditions: diabetes, kidney or hormone disorders, uterine infection, high blood calcium
• what to do: give plenty of water.  Consult vet within 24 hours

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• sign: foul breath
• possible causes or conditions: dirty teeth, gum infection, abscesses, mouth tumors, foreign object between teeth
• what to do:brush dog’s teeth and feed dry food.  If symptoms are severe or persist, consult vet.

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• sign: inflamed eyes or eyelids
• possible causes or conditions: eye infection, allergy, injury, glaucoma, corneal ulcers
• what to do: consult vet immediately

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• sign: loss of appetite (anorexia)
• possible causes or conditions: stress, gastrointestinal or other disorders
• what to do:if dog hasn’t eaten for 24 hours, see vet as soon as possible

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• sign: loss of balance or coordination; weakness
• possible causes or conditions: injuries, blood loss, brain or spinal trauma, poisoning, inner ear disease, tumors
• what to do: consult a vet immediately

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• sign: pale gums and mucous membranes
• possible causes or conditions: anemia, heart disease, septic shock
• what to do: consult vet immediately

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• sign: sneezing; runny nose or eyes
• possible causes or conditions: cold or upper respiratory system infection, allergies, foreign object in nose, nasal mites or tumors
• what to do:if problem persists for more than a few days or if dog stops eating, consult vet immediately

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• sign: vomiting
• possible causes or conditions: food allerigies, intestinal problems, stres or many other disorders
• what to do:if symptoms persist for more than a day or are severe, accompanied by signs such as weakness, diarrhea or lethargy, consult vet immediately

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• sign: weight loss
• possible causes or conditions: may indicate many different disorders
• what to do:consult vet for diagnosis within 24 hours