The Geriatric Older Dog Overview

Writen by Moses Chia

Dogs mature and age at much different rates, usually according to size and breed. It is commonly held that dogs live 7 years for every year that we man does. However, this serve as only a rough guide when converting and calculating your dog's age as dogs grow up very rapidly in their early years and then slow down.

For example, a 1 year old dog is comparable to a 15 year old kid, at age 6, he is comparable to 40 years old in human terms. By 12, it is consider a geriatric dog and is equivalent to an 80 year old man.

It is generally believed that the smaller the dog breeds, the longer they live. Small breeds such as Terrier and Poodle may not slow down until 13 or 14 and could live to 17. On the other hand, larger breeds such as Great Dane and Wolfhounds rarely live pass 9 years.

Diet

A healthy diet for the older dog should be senior food that are formulated with low in fat and salt for a healthy heart, lower calories to help combat obesity since they are less active, lower protein to help the kidneys and liver, and higher fiber for the bowels to prevent constipation.

A switch to a specially formulated commercial diet for the older dog will usually perk him up. If you have no clues about your older dog's diet, you should consult your vet for advice.

Medical attention

You'll probably find that your older dog needs more medical attention than before because this is the time where age-related problems start to kick in. If possible, try to make more than just an annual visit to the vet and keep vaccinations up to date. A yearly geriatric screen, including blood and x-ray would also be useful to keep a closer eye on his health.

Patience

Patience is a key factor on your part when you deal with your beloved dog as he grows older. More often than not, he will develop age related problems such as tooth decay, periodontal diseases, vision impairment, hearing loss and also less active than before.

In any case, try to give them more time and understanding because they are not in their prime anymore. With enough love and care, older dogs can still continue their enjoyment of life well into old age.

Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels. ~ unknown dog

Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining.com. He provides more helpful information on dog obedience training, dog training book reviews and dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

Get A List Of Dog Breeds And Choose The Right Dog For Your Household

Writen by Ruth Bird

Breeds of dog differ in many ways: body size – Chihuahua to Bernese Mountain Dog. They differ in proportion like the Pit Bull to the Greyhound. They differ in head shape, ear shape, coat length and texture and in colour. Get a book and study a list dog breeds.

Much of their physical traits matched the need for the function of the original breed. Do not rely only on the dog breed pictures. There are many directories of breeds of dogs. Buy one, or go to the library and borrow one.

Today, behavior is even more important.

Too often prospective dog owners select a breed based on its physical trait and not its character.

The toughest guard dog is of no using if it falls asleep at the front door. Dogs enjoy as many breed behavioral traits as they do physical traits. Don't be surprised by this.

Dogs are prone to act in certain ways that are dictated by their genes. Not all dogs will act the same within a breed, but most will.

There is one behavioral trait that is present in all dogs. Their love towards their owner/master.

You need to first analyze why you want a dog, before you select a dog. If you have kids you need to find out the breed that is good with kids. But, do not forget, you also need to teach your kids how to behave with a dog. A dog is NOT a stuffed emotionless toy. It is a living creature with emotions. Also, please, do not make kids take responsibility for a dog. It is an adult job to do that.

If you are basically older in years, well you will not want a breed that needs lots of exercise. Or, a breed that may pull your arm out when walking.

The size of a dog needs to be considered. If you have a huge dog and a small kid, they could bump heads and the child get hurt and that being no fault of the dog.

Choosing a breed entails more than looking at pictures. Check out the breed profile. Talk with owners of the same breed in the same circumstances as you. Meet some "live" dogs of the kind you are looking at.

Study the history of the breed. It will show you what molded that breed to be what it is today. For instance, an old breed of dog that was bread to dig out vermin will end up digging up your yard...it is in the genes!

A sheep herder may end up nipping a little in the heels.

Also, check into the more modern breeds. There are some amazing new "oodle" dog breeds. These new "oodle" dogs are great for dog allergy sufferers.

Make sure your energy levels match.

And all that being said. Look for the surprises. For instance, the greyhound race dogs make amazing pets for seniors, or those who do not partake in lots of activity. They make great apartment dogs. They love to sleep in the day, often curled up on a couch or pillow. They do NOT crave activity or exercise. They are trained to perfection and they are loving dogs. Go figure. Just when we think we have it all figured out.

So you see, do not just run out and get a dog. Get the right dog for your household. Train that dog and you will have a friend and family member for life.

Ruth's passions are people and pet health. She is very active with dog therapy visiting. She has two certified therapy dogs that visit in Senior Health Care Centers. Her Dog Blog: http://www.happypetstop.com/blog Her Dog Therapy Visiting site: http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm