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Senior Dogs - Senior Dog’s Arthritis Pain?
Canine aging is a natural process in dogs. The dog organism undergoes morphological and physiological
changes and can also intervene in behavior. Like us, dogs undergo certain changes in behavior and actions
when they reach a certain age. These changes are conducive to behavioral problems.
Dogs of any age, breed, or gender can develop behavioral problems throughout their lives. Is your old dog restless? Have you noticed that your old dog is anxious or hyperactive? Behavior problems in older dogs is very common and cannot be ignored. Therefore, we should pay attention to their education and socialization as a means of prevention. Such training is necessary in addition to providing basic care to protect the health and quality of life of animals.
Dogs of any age, breed, or gender can develop behavioral problems throughout their lives. Is your old dog restless? Have you noticed that your old dog is anxious or hyperactive? Behavior problems in older dogs is very common and cannot be ignored. Therefore, we should pay attention to their education and socialization as a means of prevention. Such training is necessary in addition to providing basic care to protect the health and quality of life of animals.
Senior dog: behavior changes
Senior dog: behavior changes
As dogs age, their bodies undergo many physiological and morphological changes that affect their
metabolism, behavior, and appearance. It's no secret that dogs age faster than we do. All varieties have
different life spans. In general, small dogs reach old age at about 7 years of age. Larger varieties age
at 5 to 6 years of age.
Does your senior dog pace back and forth and get winded and restless? Senior dogs may suffer loss of sensory acuity and progressive deterioration of brain function. These can all lead to symptoms of the cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which can be compared to Alzheimer's disease in humans. Senior dogs are more likely to develop health problems because of their weakened immune systems. Senior dogs undergo physical changes in a similar way to humans and suffer from a number of diseases that negatively affect their senses and behavior. They may not be able to see as well as they used to, or their once-keen hearing may be a little dull. Senior dogs may become more sensitive and more susceptible to pain. As a result, senior dogs may become more aggressive, nervous, fearful or anxious.
In addition, the metabolism of senior dogs may be significantly reduced, so they may be very lethargic and easily worn out. But even though senior dogs are clearly not as energetic as they used to be, that doesn't mean they don't need to exercise, burn energy and have fun. If a senior dog does not exercise at all, then boredom and stress can promote the development of inappropriate behavior, which in turn can damage its health and lead to a range of behavioral problems.
Does your senior dog pace back and forth and get winded and restless? Senior dogs may suffer loss of sensory acuity and progressive deterioration of brain function. These can all lead to symptoms of the cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which can be compared to Alzheimer's disease in humans. Senior dogs are more likely to develop health problems because of their weakened immune systems. Senior dogs undergo physical changes in a similar way to humans and suffer from a number of diseases that negatively affect their senses and behavior. They may not be able to see as well as they used to, or their once-keen hearing may be a little dull. Senior dogs may become more sensitive and more susceptible to pain. As a result, senior dogs may become more aggressive, nervous, fearful or anxious.
In addition, the metabolism of senior dogs may be significantly reduced, so they may be very lethargic and easily worn out. But even though senior dogs are clearly not as energetic as they used to be, that doesn't mean they don't need to exercise, burn energy and have fun. If a senior dog does not exercise at all, then boredom and stress can promote the development of inappropriate behavior, which in turn can damage its health and lead to a range of behavioral problems.
My senior dog is acting strange: what to do
Have you noticed a change in your dog's behavior pattern? Such as altered gait, altered posture, easy
disorientation, disturbed sleep cycles, always forgetting where the water bowl is, or an increase in some
aggressive and destructive behaviors, as well as compulsive repetition of certain behaviors. Do the
following changes and symptoms of cognitive dysfunction that can occur in senior dogs match your dog's
behavioral changes?
Confusion/Spatial Disorientation
Get lost in familiar places
Unable to get around or over an obstacle
Unable to get around or over an obstacle
Relationships/Social Behavior
Become withdrawn and disinterested in caressing, interacting, and greeting others.
Become overly dependent and clingy
Become overly dependent and clingy
Activity—Increased or Repetitive
Always stare at or bite at an object
To pace or wander without direction
Always using his tongue to lick you or other objects
Vocalizes more
To pace or wander without direction
Always using his tongue to lick you or other objects
Vocalizes more
Anxiety/Increased Irritability
More irritable, always restless
Separation from family can be very stressful
Separation from family can be very stressful
Sleep-Wake Cycles/Reversed Day-Night Schedule
Very sleepy during the day
Poor sleep quality at night, always wake up in the middle of the night
Poor sleep quality at night, always wake up in the middle of the night
Learning and Memory—Work, Tasks, Cues
Demonstrates an impaired ability to work or perform tasks
Sometimes seems unable to recognize familiar people and dogs
Shows decreased responsiveness to known cues for obedience, tricks, sports and games
Seems unable or slower to learn new tasks or cues
Sometimes seems unable to recognize familiar people and dogs
Shows decreased responsiveness to known cues for obedience, tricks, sports and games
Seems unable or slower to learn new tasks or cues
Dog behavior problems: prevention
If you notice any of these symptoms in your senior dog, seek veterinary help immediately. A professional can
verify your dog's health and perform the necessary tests to determine if there are any health issues that
may be causing behavioral problems. This can include treating a contributing medical condition, maintaining
a consistent routine, reducing environmental stress factors, introducing enrichment activities, changing
diet, and recommending specific supplements and medications when appropriate. Your senior dog should be
surrounded by a positive environment and receive ongoing appropriate care to prevent and treat behavioral
problems.
Work With Your Vet
Keep Your Dog Lean
Keep Training Your Dog
Consider Medications
Massage your dog regularly
Apply heat therapy to your dog
Work With Your Vet
As we have seen, many times what appears to be a behavior problem may actually turn out being a medical
issue. Once your dog's medical problems are addressed, you may see a change in behavior for the best. Senior
dogs benefit from twice-a-year wellness exams so issues can be caught early.
Keep Your Dog Lean
Obesity has many disadvantages for senior dogs. Your dog might need to be switched to a diet that is
designed for senior dogs. A senior dog diet should be rich in vitamins E and C, and high in omega-3 fatty
acids. Veterinarians like to see physical and learning exercises paired with a senior dog’s diet because it
keeps them mentally and physically active.
Keep Training Your Dog
Keep your senior dog's brain sharp by engaging him in brain games and don't forget about training sessions.
Training and food puzzles may keep your dog's mind busy. Rotating toys on a weekly basis, food puzzles, and
foraging opportunities helps too.
Consider Medications
Your veterinarian might also decide that your dog could benefit from psychoactive medications and dietary
supplements, which may reduce some of the effects of the disorder. If your dog checks out well in the health
department, but likely has some level of cognitive dysfunction, consider asking your vet his opinion about
trying out a drug known as L-Deprenyl. Also known as Anipryl or selegiline hydrochloride, it can be
beneficial.
Massage your dog regularly
A good massage can relax your dog. When massaging, apply gentle pressure from the back of the neck to the
entire spine, around the ears, and at the base of the paws. Senior dogs also like to have their heads
stroked. Massages can help dogs bond with their owners and make your dog feel loved, safe and comfortable.
In addition, massage improves flexibility and circulatory system.
Apply heat therapy to your dog
Many senior dogs suffer from joint problems. Especially in cold, wet weather, pain symptoms can be
exacerbated, making it harder for senior dogs to walk, run or climb stairs. While medications can help ease
the discomfort, many veterinarians also recognize that heat therapy has numerous benefits for dogs. Heated
brace is a good way to provide safe and uniform heat. Heat therapy combined with brace helps to evenly
distribute weight and eliminate pressure points while relaxing muscles and promoting mobility.
Heat therapy can also be an effective way for dealing with separation anxiety. Senior dogs, in particular, become anxious when left alone for long periods of time. This pressure usually produces physical changes, such as muscle tightening. Using a heating brace increases blood flow and relaxes muscles. Soothing comfort also helps ease stiffness and anxiety.
Heat therapy can also be an effective way for dealing with separation anxiety. Senior dogs, in particular, become anxious when left alone for long periods of time. This pressure usually produces physical changes, such as muscle tightening. Using a heating brace increases blood flow and relaxes muscles. Soothing comfort also helps ease stiffness and anxiety.
Many of the health benefits come from applying heat to uncomfortable areas of the senior dog's body. This is mainly because heat increases blood flow, bringing fresh nutrients and oxygen to sore muscles or injured joints. The flowing blood also removes toxins from damaged body parts. The flow increases because the heat causes the blood vessels to dilate.
The safe temperature provided by heating brace also helps with muscle soreness, as it causes body tissues to become more elastic. It relaxes muscle spasms and relieves pain. The use of heat therapy usually lowers blood pressure. For senior dogs, heating brace is a very convenient and effective therapy tool worth using.
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