Senior Care

As your dog ages their requirements change, whether that's thinking about a senior dog dietor adjusting schedules to fit around your older dog. This includes what toys they play with or activities they participate in. Your ageing friend may no longer be able to run and grab a Frisbee, or leap around playing fetch for hours on end, but that doesn’t mean that their urge to play has gone! Also consider that when dogs age, their sight and hearing may deteriorate, so when it comes to toys for older dogs it’s usually a good idea to get bright ones, which can also be scented, noisy or flavoured. Keep reading to find out the best stimulating dog toys for your older pooch. Toys for older dogs When your dog becomes older you may think that they’ll no longer want to play, or might not have the energy to play with you.

When our cherished pet is no longer in our lives it can be devastating, whether you are coping with the loss of a cat, the loss of a dog, or indeed any other pet. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. The loss of a pet is an incredibly sad time for owners. Whether they pass away naturally or are put to sleep at the vets, it’s always a stressful and upsetting time. If your pet has been unwell, or is very old and naturally approaching the end of their life, you may already have plans in place for their eventual passing. However, even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by external factors or by grief. If you’re struggling with the loss of a dog or cat in the immediate aftermath, always ask for help from a friend, family member or veterinary professional. What often adds to the trauma of the death of a pet is the uncertainty of how to handle their remains. Take some of the stress out of this period with this comprehensive guide on what to do when your pet dies and how to cope with the loss of a pet. What happens when a pet dies naturally? We usually associate the death of a pet with them being put to sleep at a veterinary surgery. But what happens when a pet dies naturally at home? If your pet dies at home, it may be difficult to handle their remains. You may wish to call your vet or another professional service, such as a company that can assist with disposal. Remember that such services may not be available on weekends or during national holidays. Following the death of a pet, their body may still show signs of what can look like life, such as the following: • Twitching, as a result of natural nerve spasms after death. • The release of air from the mouth when moved. • The release of bodily fluids and gas. These can all be quite upsetting for owners to witness, especially if they aren’t expecting them. They aren’t, sadly, signs that your pet is coming back to life. They are simply the natural bodily functions and what happens when a cat or dog dies naturally.

When we’re working out how old a dog is in human years, the popular opinion is to multiply their age by seven. While it’s true that one year for human development is quite different to one year for a dog’s development, the actual number of dog years to human years depends on several factors, such as breed and size. We all wish our canine friends could live as long as us humans do, or even longer if possible. But the reality is their life span is not the same as ours and many dogs are already full-blown adults by the time they are two years old. In this article we’ll show you the easiest way to convert dog years to human years to find out exactly how old your dog is. Why the most famous rule to calculate dog years to human years can sometimes be wrong? You’ve probably used the following easy-math rule for calculating how old your dog is: multiply their dog age by seven to get their age equivalent in human years. The formula was likely based on the fact that while most humans get to live until they’re 70, dogs live on average 10 years. However, this rule doesn’t always offer reliable results. The dog’s size and breed play an important part in their life expectancy, with smaller breeds usually living longer than larger breeds. Larger breeds live shorter lives, so they mature more quickly. Large and giant breeds are usually considered to be ‘seniors’ by the time they’re five, while medium-sized dogs won’t reach old age until they’re seven. Small and toy breeds reach seniority around the age of 10. How to calculate dog years to human? According to the UK Kennel Club, the general guidelines for determine how old a dog is are the following: • The first two years of a small dog’s life is roughly the same as 12.5 human years, while it’s 10.5 for a medium dog, and nine for large dogs. • Each additional year of the dog’s life is then multiplied by between 4.3 and 13.4 years, depending on the breed, to find their human age. Dog age calculator We’ve taken these guidelines and turned them into a visual, easy-to-use dog age calculator, so you can find your dog’s age in seconds. Make sure you choose the option that suits your pet (small breed, medium breed or large breed) and use the slider to find out the equivalent human age of your dog. What is the oldest dog in Britain? Britain’s oldest dog, a Jack Russell called Meg, reached the grand old age of 25 in November 2014 – that’s approximately 113 in dog years!

You may have noticed some grey hairs on your dog, or sensed that they’ve started to slow down a little – this is all perfectly normal as they approach their senior years. When does my dog become a senior? Just like us, dogs get older gradually - there’s no exact age that they become “senior”, but they can usually be considered to be of an older age between 5-9 years old. The age that your pet is considered to be “older” depends on what dog you have, as typically smaller dogs have a much longer lifespan than giant breeds. Large and giant breeds may show signs of ageing a little earlier while small dogs, who generally live the longest, may not become senior until they’re eight or nine. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise and medical history all play a part in how long a senior dog will live, but the important thing to remember is that your later years together could be some of your most rewarding. After all, you’re both wiser as well as older! Read our tips below on how to make the later years of your dog’s life some of their most rewarding. Home life

No dog owner wants to think about putting a dog to sleep, but it’s a decision that you may find yourself making towards the end of your dog’s life. Although heart breaking, dog euthanasia is sometimes the kindest option for your pet. It’s never easy having to put your dog down, but doing your research before the sad day arrives may help you to understand it all a little better. Should I put my dog down? It’s the decision no one ever wants to make, but if your dog’s quality of life is suffering with no sign of getting better, you may find the kindest option is to put your dog to sleep. It’s a very hard choice; on the one hand you want to spend as long as possible with your friend but, on the other hand, you want to make the right decision for them. You will normally have a bit of time to think things through, and we always recommend you talk to family and friends and consult your vet as part of the process. Whilst you and your family will be able to tell if your dog is acting out of character or seems to be struggling, your vet will have a good insight into how this will affect their quality of life. Consider your pet’s mobility, appetite, breathing, comfort, toileting habits, mental capacity, happiness and response to treatment. If you notice any of these failing, then seek further advice from your vet. Ultimately, the decision to put your dog to sleep will be yours, but remember that sometimes the kindest and most responsible decision is to let them go, especially if they will suffer if they keep going. Deciding to put your dog to sleep is hard for the whole family, especially children. If you can, try to sit down as a family and discuss the decision together, being honest about your reasons and what it will mean for everyone, including your beloved pet. Of course, it will be an upsetting conversation, and there may be tears, but try to focus on it being about what’s best for your dog – after all, you all want to do the right thing for them.

Is your dog seven years or older? It may be hard to believe, but he is approaching his senior years. And if he’s a large breed, he may reach his senior years even earlier. Like humans, dogs undergo physical changes as they age, causing their nutritional needs to change as well. That’s why it’s important to feed your dog the right food to nourish his aging body and mind. When choosing a dog food for senior dogs, consider the following factors: Activity Level Older dogs are usually less physically active than younger dogs, which makes them prone to gaining weight. Dog food for older dogs often has fewer calories to help older dogs maintain a healthy weight and ideal body condition. If your older dog is not as active as he used to be, you may want to consider a senior formula that has fewer calories than his adult formula to help prevent weight gain. Even if your dog has slowed a bit, you still want him to be strong and active. To help support mobility and strong muscles, dog food for senior dogs often has higher protein levels than adult formulas. In fact, increased dietary protein can actually help slow age-related loss of lean body mass and support a healthy immune system. Glucosamine is also added to senior formulas to help support healthy joints. Mental Sharpness As some dogs age, their brain cells may have difficulty obtaining the right amount of energy, causing their mental processes to change. Older dogs may also show less interaction with you and lower engagement in daily activities. Glucose The brain uses a tremendous amount of energy. This energy travels in the blood, and reaches the brain cells through glucose pathways. The problem is that some senior dogs may have difficulty absorbing glucose in the brain at the proper levels. As dogs age, their capacity to use glucose as an energy source decreases due to wear and tear in the cell. This leads to loss of basic cognitive functions. Purina set out to provide energy to the brain through a second pathway. After looking at hundreds of ingredients, we tested an alternate source of energy calledmedium chain triglycerides (MCTs),which enter the cell through an alternate pathway, to see if they could change the behaviour of senior dogs. Fatty acids in MCTs, sourced from enhanced botanical oils, are easy for your dog to convert into brain-friendly fuel that feeds the neurons and keeps the brain cells active. The results were even better than we expected. After only a short time consuming MCTs, dogs were making fewer errors and adapting to new situations faster.

Like puppies and adult dogs, senior dogs have unique needs. As they get older, their nutritional needs can change. But with the proper care and attention, your dog can enjoy healthy and happy senior years. Regular veterinary check-ups can help you anticipate, prevent, and treat certain age-related problems that may occur in your senior dog. Here are some things to keep in mind as your dog gets older. 1. Know the signs of aging. When a dog reaches the age of 7, he or she may start to show signs of physical and age related cognitive decline. You can find out the main signs of aging in our guide tophysical changes in your dog. 2. Your dog can benefit from specialised nutrition. Dogs have different nutritional needs as they age. That means dogs over the age of 7 can benefit from a food like PRO PLAN®BRIGHT MIND™ Adult 7+ that has been specially formulated to meet those needs. Supports healthy aging with key nutrients to promote a strong immune system, healthy teeth and joints. Enhanced botanical oils with MCT’s shown to promote mental alertness and sharpness Made with high quality chicken to ensure your senior dog loves and looks forward to each mealtime. 3. Help your dog maintain a healthy weight. Older dogs sometimes have a tendency to gain or lose weight. Make sure you’re following the recommended feeding instructions from the food’s packaging to ensure your dog is getting an appropriate number of calories for their age, weight, activity level and breed size. If your dog is showing noticeable weight gain or loss it is important to work with your vet to rule out any underlying health problems. 4. Make your home easier to navigate. For an older dog, stairs and slippery surfaces like hardwood or tile floors can be confusing or even dangerous. If your dog has trouble navigating these, try relocating their food, kennel and other necessities to a place that doesn’t require the use of stairs or slippery surfaces to access them. You can also add traction to stairs or hallways with rubber mats or carpet runners, which may help your older dog move around more easily. 5. Visit your vet regularly. Your veterinarian is your best resource for making sure your dog stays healthy. Make regular appointments for your dog, and, if in doubt, call your vet for advice about any issues or concerns you might have. With the right care and attention, you and your dog can enjoy all of your years together.

Dogs may experience the signs of aging at different times in their lives. In general, once a dog turns seven, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of physical decline. If your dog is aged seven or older, PRO PLAN®BRIGHT MIND™ Adult 7+ has been formulated to support healthy aging and your dog’s unique nutritional needs. If your dog is showing certain behaviours or characteristics, they may be experiencing physical decline. Visit your vet if you see any of the following signs in your dog. Hearing loss Dogs may lose some of their hearing as they grow older. Dogs with hearing loss may bark for no reason, or fail to come when they’re called. They may also ignore commands that they usually respond to. Vision loss Cataracts and other types of vision loss is a clear, physical sign that your dog is aging. If your dog has a white, hazy growth over the eyes, he/she may be developing cataracts, while other vision loss may look like confusion or disorientation. Tooth loss or soreness Some dogs have an increase in dental problems, including gum soreness and tooth loss, as they grow older. Oral discomfort can also result in decreased appetite or reluctance to eat. Weight gain or loss When dogs age, their metabolism may change, which can cause them to gain or lose weight even though they’re eating the same number of calories and getting the same amount of exercise. Changes in breathing As dogs age, the incidence of heart problems increases. Loud or laboured breathing or coughing could be a sign of this or other problems. Stiffness or limping Arthritis is common in older dogs, and can cause stiffness in a dog’s legs, shoulders or hips. Limping or getting up and down slowly may be signs of physical decline in your dog. If your dog is showing signs of physical decline, consult your vet. You and your vet can work together to help your older dog live life to the fullest.