This article by one of our favorite holistic veterinarians, Dr. Karen Becker, helps us predict our dogs' lifespans and targets several ways to help ease your dog through his senior and geriatric years. Dr. Becker recommends three main strategies, explained in greater detail in the article, to care for dogs seven and over:
__Provide physical and emotional comfort
__Provide high quality dietary protein (according to Dr. Becker, dogs actually need more protein as they age, not less).
__Provide daily exercise, socialization and mental stimulation
As Dr. Becker says, "...dogs don't just don't suddenly die when they reach a certain age. They grow older in stages just as we do, but at a tremendously accelerated rate compared to humans." Our responsibility as pet owners and pet caregivers extends well beyond the roly-poly puppy stage, and although it might be more difficult and time-consuming, we owe it to our loving pets to help them age gracefully, don't you think?
It's hard to believe that handsome me is officially in the senior category at a trim and fit 32 pounds and about 7.5 years young.
Is your pooch a senior or geriatric? The information on the chart below may surprise you.
The medical community and pet parents differ on ages for seniors and geriatric pets.
Chart developed by Dr. Fred L. Metzger, DVM, State College, PA. – Courtesy of Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, 4th Edition Graphic courtesy of Mercola.com/Healthy Pets
Tell us your stories, tips and tricks for easing your pet into her senior years—we'd love to hear them!
__Provide physical and emotional comfort
__Provide high quality dietary protein (according to Dr. Becker, dogs actually need more protein as they age, not less).
__Provide daily exercise, socialization and mental stimulation
As Dr. Becker says, "...dogs don't just don't suddenly die when they reach a certain age. They grow older in stages just as we do, but at a tremendously accelerated rate compared to humans." Our responsibility as pet owners and pet caregivers extends well beyond the roly-poly puppy stage, and although it might be more difficult and time-consuming, we owe it to our loving pets to help them age gracefully, don't you think?
It's hard to believe that handsome me is officially in the senior category at a trim and fit 32 pounds and about 7.5 years young.
Is your pooch a senior or geriatric? The information on the chart below may surprise you.
The medical community and pet parents differ on ages for seniors and geriatric pets.
Tell us your stories, tips and tricks for easing your pet into her senior years—we'd love to hear them!
6 comments:
I have always kept my dogs 2-3 pounds overweight - that way they have some reserves to fall back on if they get sick - it has worked as all my dogs have lived between 16 and 20 years.
Wow! 16-20 years is quite a record, and that sounds like a good tip to us. I've heard the same for humans—once they get past a certain age, it's best to keep a bit of extra fat reserve in case one gets sick.
That is interesting Bocci. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
You look fabulous, Bocci, and we really enjoyed the article. Thank you ☺
Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly
Being ALMOST 9 I (Frankie Furter) hate to think what is coming fur ME... I still THINK like a pup though.
awesome...
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