Just like their masters, dogs have very specific needs nutritionally and care-wise in general when aging due to their system weakening and their less-active behavior. Old age in canines also sort of ’sneaks up’ as it does in humans, with a gradual process of systemic changes and decline. A dog that has lead a healthy youth, having been provided all necessary nutrients through dog diet and dog supplements, will be more apt to ‘ease’ into old age with fewer problems than a dog who has been denied basic care – even as early as the first days of life.

One major difference between the dog’s aging and a human’s aging process is that of course the canine life-span is significantly shorter, with the medium to large breeds living between eleven and fourteen years and the smaller dog breeds living even longer. You may have heard that one human life-year is equivalent to 7 dog years; this isn’t quite correct as dogs reach adulthood in the first two years of life. So the calculation is slightly different: the first two years of a dog’s life are near equivalent to 10.5 human years (each year) and then after the first two years of a dog’s life the near equivalent is that one human year is like 4 years for the dog.

You can tell when a dog is entering ‘old age’ by noticing some behavioral and health changes, and it’s important that the pet owner takes a pet into their home knowing that they will need to offer close attention to them for more than a decade so as to ensure they live as comfortably, healthy and happy as possible. Decreased interest in goings-on around the house or neighborhood is one of the first signs of aging, though it could also be that your dog is bored and not getting enough attention/change of scenery. Sleeping sounder and for longer periods of time is also an indicative quality of the aging canine, as is the observed difficulty getting up from said night’s sleep or nap.

As is the case in older humans, stiffness and aches need to be slowly worked out after a good rest. Making sure your dog gets ample exercise will help stave off this age-related stiffness. Temperature intolerance is also noted in aging dogs, where hot summer days or extremely cold winter days or nights when your pet used to run outside without flinching suddenly instill trepidation. Aging dogs are sensitive; however, they also can be non-sensitive too in the fact that loss of eyesight and hearing can make them appear disinterested and unaffected. Loss of these two senses is very common in aging dogs!

You will also notice changes in the fur coat of your aging dog, as just like human’s whose skin loses collagen with age the same affliction occurs in the canine and thus affects their ability to produce and maintain a healthy coat. With age all body systems deteriorate, in dogs you will see symptoms of the bladder and/or kidneys ceasing to function as well as other signs indicative of liver and heart-health decline. Immune system health also deteriorates with age, though ensuring that your dog had proper nutrition in the first few days (yes, days) of life can impact the rate at which their immune system breaks down in old age.

Supplements may be given to improve their collagen, either topically or to be mixed in their food i.e. flax seed oil. There are also dog supplements available that can help maintain their eye health, as well as any other organ that naturally deteriorates with time. Dog supplements used in addition to their core pet diet are widely available and quite necessary to be chosen and catered to your dog’s specific health and breed needs. Proper nutrition can help stave off the health problems that inevitably come with old age, if only for a few years. Adding a few years to your dog’s life is like adding a decade in the human equivalent, and who wouldn’t want to keep their best friend / companion as healthy and at peak vitality for as long as possible?

Editor’s Note: For this and many other reasons, a powerful supplement to consider is Poly-MVA for Pets. This unique supplement not only protects and maintains your pet’s health, but it will also support and supply energy as your family friend gets older. Help your pet live a long and healthy life by keeping them protected and supported with Poly-MVA for Pets. Learn more here.

Original URL: http://www.whypetsupplements.com/dog-supplements/information-about-aging-dogs.html

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