Understanding Your Senior Dog's Needs
At what age is my dog considered a senior?
Your dog is considered a senior at 7 years old. Whether small or large, when they're seven, we consider them a senior.
How often should I bring my senior dog in for a wellness exam, and how do they change?
We recommend seeing your senior dog at least twice a year, about every six months. As with puppies and adult dogs, we still recommend vaccinating them. Even old dogs and senior dogs can contract Parvo if they're not up to date on their vaccines. We want them up to date on their vaccines. Some things that may change as they become older include discussing the possibility of doing some blood work to ensure things are looking good.
As they get older, things can happen that we can't see, so it's good to check some blood work at least once to twice a year as well.
What changes should I make to my senior dog's diet?
As seniors, their food changes as they go from puppies to seniors. We want to make sure they have food that's good for supporting their joint health and easy for them to digest.
Brands like Hills, Purina Pro Plan, Eukanuba, and Royal Canin have senior-specific diets tailored for our older dogs. If they have any conditions, there are also prescription diets that can help them live their longest, happiest lives.
How can I help manage my senior dog's arthritis or joint pain?
With old dogs, we sometimes notice they're more painful. We have oral medications that they can take home, and this is where blood work comes into play to ensure they can handle these medications that help with stiffness or pain.
This is why we recommend doing blood work with their checkups every six months to ensure they are healthy enough to withstand medication. We also have injections and supplements that can help as well. We're happy to see them and make sure we're keeping these guys comfortable.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our veterinary services, we’d love to hear from you. Call (937) 358-8142 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your pet.