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Section: Overview
Old age happens to the best of us – even our dogs. And as our dogs enter into the golden age, they may have specific needs or problems that must be addressed. The aging process brings about a gradual decline in a dog's physical and sometimes mental abilities. Becoming aware of these issues allows an owner to provide the best possible care. Not all dogs age at the same rate. Generally, smaller breeds live longer than larger dogs and mixed breeds usually live longer than pure breeds. A general guideline as to when a dog might be considered geriatric may be based on the dog's adult weight. Small dogs (under 20 pounds) are considered geriatric between 9 and 13 years old. Medium sized dogs (21 to 50 pounds) are considered geriatric between 9 and 11 years old. Large breed dogs (51 to 90 pounds) are considered geriatric between 7 and 10 years old.
Your dog's breed and size determine when he enters his senior years. You can't hold back the clock, but there are many things you can do to help keep him healthy and active as long as possible.
As pets age, questions about vaccinations arise. Common questions are which vaccine does my senior dog need and how often should he be vaccinated. Unfortunately, the absolute answers to these questions...
As your pet ages, taking an active role in grooming becomes even more important. Older pets often groom less, may have trouble cleaning those "hard to reach places," or may develop skin conditions that...
A regular exercise routine is an essential part of any dog’s healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition, grooming and regular visits to your veterinarian are equally important. As a dog ages, exercise tolerance...
The proper diet is important in the care of an aging dog. However, there is no best food to feed a geriatric dog; that depends on the specific problems or nutritional requirements of each animal.
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