Feeding Habits
In old age digestion gets impaired. The diet for aging dogs should be light but
nutritious. Quantity of food per meal should be reduced and frequency of feeding may be
increased (keeping the daily food quantity intake the same). Clean and fresh water should
always be available. It is not advisable to make any sudden changes in diet. If a new type
of food has to be fed, it should be mixed with the current type and the quantity may be
increased gradually.
Light Exercise
An aging dog cannot walk as fast as he used to, the distance covered during the walk
should be reduced and stop for rest during the walks. Staircases and tiring games should
be avoided since the heart will also not be as strong as it used to be. Activities should
only be reduced and not stopped completely.
Comfortable Bed
As dogs grow older they tend to sleep for longer periods, making sure that the beds are
soft and warm will make him more active when he is awake.
Constipation & Diarrhea
A direct consequence of reduced exercise and intake of fibrous foods. Consult your vet for
the cause.
Impaired Hearing
All the organs and senses of the body are affected by old age. The sense of hearing which
otherwise is really sharp in dogs is also affected by old age. If the sense of sight is
'OK' you should make hand signals to communicate with him.
Impaired Eyesight
Quite often we may have seen pets bumping into chairs and other household items while
walking about, this is due to impaired vision in old age. During this period the dog
smells his way about as well as he can. To avoid hurting him it is better not to change
the position of household items and other important landmarks ( place of feeding bowl,
sleeping etc.).
Old age suffering cannot be avoided but can definately be made less painful by care and
co-operation. Since body resistance is also lowered infections are easily contracted.
Skeletal degenerative diseases are common in aging dogs. Regular brushing of the dog's
coat will activate the skin glands and act as a massage for the loosening muscles.
Last but not the least do not neglect the old dog.
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