Senior Dogs
The following article was written by PAW volunteer
Lynne Keffer. It was inspired by Pixel, a wonderful
mature dog. Please share this article with folks
thinking about adding a canine or feline to their
family. It's also valuable reading for anyone with a
mature pet.
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Ask anyone in animal rescue and they will tell you
that kittens and puppies are usually the first animals
to be adopted. Even when people want animals past the
potty-training stage, and seek out slightly older
ones, the senior cat or dog is usually the last to be
considered for adoption, if she is considered at all.
Many people claim they are afraid the dog won't bond
with them, or will have a personality "set in stone."
They fear losing the animal just as they are getting
attached to him, while the other side of that coin is
understandable reluctance to face large vet bills
right off the bat.
There is some basis in fact for all these fears and
misunderstandings. However, perhaps because of such
apprehension, there is nothing so rewarding of
adopting an older dog or cat into your life and heart.
It has been found that many of these animals, who
prefer stability in their older, more sedentary lives,
earnestly seek out their owners for companionship and
love. Everything they relish about life they get from
their human companions. They have little desire to be
off exploring with their canine housemates, or running
about until they are exhausted.
Senior pets and senior citizens share many lifestyle
similarities, and senior dogs can be a blessing for
those folks with less active lifestyles. Older dogs,
in most cases, require less exercise than their
younger counterparts. This is not to say that senior
dogs (or senior citizens!) should not get exercise,
only that they more than likely will be happy with a
nice stroll around the block rather than a vigorous
game of fetch.
Other benefits of having an older dog are that they
are long past the chewing stage, have often outgrown
other destructive behaviors, and tend to be
housebroken.
The overabundance of older animals in shelters and
rescue groups results from the fact that dogs and cats
are living a lot longer than they used to, thanks to
several factors: improvements in veterinary diagnosis
and treatment of diseases, better nutrition, more
awareness among owners of the benefits of spaying and
neutering, and responsible owners keeping their
companion animals inside instead of allowing them to
roam. The downside to all of this is that older
animals are considered more expendable than their
youthful counterparts. They are often given up by
thoughtless owners who no longer want to bother with
them because they are old.
Dogs, like people, age in different ways. It is said
that certain breeds, like the Schipperke from Belgium,
mixed breeds in general, and small dogs, tend to live
longer lives. The larger the dog, generally, the
faster the dog will age. But these are just broad
guidelines. With proper care, it is not uncommon for
many dogs to live to be 14 or 15.
As dogs age, they require some additional care, and
your older adopted friend will be no exception.
Special attention should be paid to her dental
hygiene, skin and coat, which tend to become more dry,
nutrition, and joints and muscles. Older dogs can
benefit from a twice-weekly gentle go-around with a
piece of gauze on their teeth and gums.
And senior dogs generally require less protein, to
take any stress off their kidneys, and possibly less
fat, if they are less active or are putting on weight.
Senior dogs enjoy a gentle rub, and massages can ease
their older bones and tenderly stimulate their
muscles. It also gives the owner an opportunity to
check for suspicious lumps. Older dogs, especially
short-haired ones, appreciate a nice sweater in the
winter, a warm and cozy place to sleep, and all older
animals should be carefully watched in the warmer
months to see that they don't succumb to heat.
You can help keep your older companion animal healthy
by keeping his weight down, through good nutrition and
the proper amount of exercise; keeping his teeth clean
(next to obesity, periodontal disease is the one most
commonly seen in the vet's office, and can lead to all
manner of additional health problems); getting him to
the vet for regular check-ups; being observant about
symptoms that might indicate a health problem and
getting prompt and appropriate veterinary attention.
Be alert to signs of distress such as labored
breathing, coughing and muscle weakness.
None of the health problems associated with aging
should discourage adopters from considering an older
dog or cat as a companion. With some extra care and
vigilance on the part of the owner, a senior companion
animal can bring a great deal of joy and pleasure to
your life.
Some helpful web sites for those interested in
adopting an older dog include:
http://www.srdogs.com/index.html
and
http://www.seniordogrescue.org/
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For more Dog Tips about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at:
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
www.paw-rescue.org
P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768