5 Proactive Tips to Keep Senior Dogs Healthy
Art by Danny Osorno.
A few months back, I came to the realization that our oldest dog, Darwin, is now a senior dog. My vet tech brain kicked in and then, as I’m prone to do, my mind sprinted through all the worst-case scenarios. Once I was sufficiently panicked, I broke out a bottle of Wild Turkey to calm myself down. But the next day, I took a few breaths, came up with a plan and began to take action. I am determined to keep my beloved senior dog Darwin as healthy as possible with these 5 proactive tips to keep senior dogs healthy.
My Senior (Dog) Moment
When I had that unexpected moment of clarity, a light bulb started flashing urgently in my head:
Darwin is almost 8- a senior dog!
Now, I’m not clueless. I had been noticing his graying muzzle and face growing more and more gray but I didn’t connect the dots. I didn’t associate “increased graying” with “getting older”- prolly because he’s in good health and as active as he’s always been.
Jokingly, I began calling him my “Old Man Dog”, but I didn’t really mean it- until one day I did, until that day I did the math and realized Darwin is a senior dog.
Aside from a graying muzzle and face, he isn’t showing any other signs of aging. We are at the early stages of his senior years, which means that now is the time for that proverbial ounce of prevention…
To keep Darwin as healthy as possile for as long as possible, I’m following these 5 proactive tips to keep senior dogs healthy.
Art by Danny Osorno.
Some Common Senior Dog Health Conditions
Here is a list of some of the most common age-related health conditions senior dogs may face. While not comprehensive, this list does include some of the most common health issues seen by veterinarians when examining senior dogs.
- Arthritis
- Obesity/ Weight Gain
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Deafness/ Blindness
- Kidney Disease
- Immune System Weakness
- Cancer
Art by Danny Osorno.
That Ounce Of Prevention: 5 Proactive Tips to Keep Your Senior Dog Healthy
“Age is not a disease. Although senior pets may develop age-related problems,
good care allows them to live happy, healthy and active lives in their senior years.”
~ American Veterinary Medical Association
One of the most important ways you can keep your senior dog healthy is by being proactive. The following 5 proactive tips will help keep your senior dog as healthy as possible, whether that’s early detection and treatment of a current health issue or preventative steps you can take now to avoid illness in the future.
Proactive Tip #1: Senior Dog Wellness Exams:
Senior dog wellness exams are more in-depth and include expanded blood work panels. The sooner a health issue- such as diabetes and kidney or heart disease among others- can be diagnosed, the sooner proper treatment can begin. Early detection allows you to be proactive, which leads to a better prognosis and also improves your dog’s quality of life.
For these reasons the American Veterinary Medical Association and most veterinarians recommend at least two wellness exams a year for senior dogs so signs of illness can be detected and treated early.
If you have a senior dog, my best advice is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a senior dog exam. Then, based on his or her findings, talk to your vet and find out how frequently she or he recommends follow up exams.
THIS EDUCATIONAL POST ABOUT PREVENTATIVE CARE FOR SENIOR DOGS IS SPONSORED BY DR. HARVEY’S. I AM BEING COMPENSATED TO SHARE MY HONEST OPINION AND EXPERIENCES WITH DR. HARVEY’S PARADIGM, COENZYME Q10 SUPPLEMENT AND GOLDEN YEARS HERAL SUPPLEMENT FOR SENIOR DOGS. I ONLY SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT PRODUCTS THAT I PERSONALLY USE AND FEEL IS BENEFICIAL TO DEAF DOGS AND MY READERS. DR. HARVEY’S IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE.
Proactive Tip #2: Good Health Begins With Diet
As dog’s age, their nutritional needs change based on age, weight and any medical issues he has been diagnosed with. It’s best to talk to your veterinarian about your senior dog’s nutritional needs and to find out if a change in diet is warranted.
There’s a growing consensus among holistic vets that a low-carb, low-glycemic diet can help prevent or manage health problems such as obesity, diabetes and cancer- all common health problems in senior dogs.
I’ve chosen to feed Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm because it’s holistic nutrition that helps prevent or treat common health issues among senior dogs- and remember, my goal right now is proactive prevention!
If your vet doesn’t practice or isn’t open to integrative or holistic medicine, I recommend consulting with a holistic veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist for a second opinion about alternative, holistic food options for your senior dog.
To learn more about Paradigm, look here or check out the two posts at the end of this article.
Proactive Tip #3: Coenzyme Q10 Supplement
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound that helps generate energy in the body’s cells. Although a dog’s body produces CoQ10 naturally, production levels tend to decrease with age.
Since health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer among others have been linked to low levels of CoQ10, a senior dog is more prone to experience these serious health conditions due to decreased levels of CoQ10.
Fortunately, there are CoQ10 supplements you can give your dog, such as Dr. Harvey’s Coenzyme Q10 Supplement. Using this supplement is a great way to be proactive and help keep your senior dog healthy.
Each capsule of Dr. Harvey’s Coenzyme Q10 Supplement contains 30mg of CoQ10 and the correct dose is based on your dog’s weight. Just toss in the correct numer of capsules (there are directions on each bottle) and you can take an easy proactive step towards keeping your senior dog healthy!
Enjoy 10% off Dr. Harvey’s Coenzyme Q10 Supplement today with coupon code TGD1218!
Proactive Tip #4: Golden Years Supplement
Using holistic, all-natural herbal and whole food supplements are a great proactive step you can take to keep your dog healthy.
For senior dogs, you want to use a supplement created specifically for senior dogs and their unique needs, such as Dr. Harvey’s Golden Years Herbal Supplement for Senior Dogs.
Golden Years contains a combination of nutritious whole foods and herbs that have been traditionally used to help the body fight off disease, ward off chronic illness and help increase longevity.
In addition to all-natural healthy and healing ingredients, such as Alfalfa Leaf, Kelp, Ginger Root, Rosemary Leaf and, yes, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Golden Years contains high-levels of antioxidants, which is a great way to prevent oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals, where more disease-causing free radicals are present than antioxidants which disarm those potentially harmful free-radicals.
Adding Golden Years herbal supplement to your dog’s diet is a great way to prevent oxidative stress- and all you have to do is mix in the correct numbers of scoops into his food bowl!
Try Golden Years today and get 10% off with coupon code TGD1218.
Art by Danny Osorno.
Proactive Tip #5: Appropriate Exercise
The amount and type of exercise you should provide your senior pet is largely dependent on his health status, though environmental factors such as heat, extreme cold, etc.) and breed are important factors. I encourage you to talk to your veterinarian about a safe and appropriate exercise plan for your senior pet. Your veterinarian can provide expert advice based on your dog’s needs and health status.
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Very helpful tips. I have a senior dog. These tips will definitely help me.
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I like that you suggest taking your senior dogs in for wellness exams. My brother has been looking for ways to keep his dog as healthy as possible. I will send him this information so he can make sure to find an animal hospital to take him to.
Thank you for these reminders! As a Floridian if I see an animal left in a car at ALL I will usually call the non-emergency police line
I never knew that there are some supplements that your dog can take that will help its health. My dog is getting pretty old and is starting to show some signs of his age. I’ll be sure to take him to the vet soon so we can make a plan to keep him healthy and happy.