Even if you live in hot and sunny climates such as Arizona, Florida and California, the temperatures can dip and get below freezing at night. If you live in colder spots throughout the country, you and your dog may have to battle the rain, ice and cold. During the winter season, many dogs feel the cold as much as their … Read More
Could Your Dog have Diabetes?
Did you know that canine diabetes usually occurs in senior dogs who are seven years or older? That approximately 1 in every 160 dogs has diabetes? That the rate of dog diabetes has tripled since 1970? Diabetes is very prevalent in dog owners as well. More than 29.1 million people or 9.3% of Americans have diabetes with the largest percentage … Read More
Is Your Older Dog Experiencing Behavior Problems?
The other day I went to visit a friend’s mother in a nursing home. When we were growing up, this woman was so sweet, always baking us cookies and other goodies when we came home from school. That is why I was so alarmed by the change in her behavior. She was combative, anxious and disoriented. Unfortunately, she was recently … Read More
Does Your Senior Dog Have Cataracts?
As we age, we tend to lose our near vision causing us to be forever looking for our reading glasses! This is due to a hardening of the lens in our eye, also referred to as nuclear sclerosis. More commonly it is called presbyopia, which literally translates into “old eye”. This occurs in older dogs as well causing their eyes … Read More
6 Common Ailments In Senior Dogs
As we get older, you often notice your pace slowing down, your bones start to creak, minor pains can become major, and any added weight can result in diabetes or circulatory problems. Hopefully, you stay in shape and eat a healthy diet to minimize the risks of developing serious illnesses and complications as you head into your senior years. As … Read More
How to Keep Your Older Dog From Aging Too Fast
Beauty counters are filled with creams, wands, and magic potions to help keep us younger looking. However, what’s more important than looking younger is feeling younger, so that no matter your age, you feel healthy and happy. The same holds true for our dogs. As dog owners, we want to do everything we can to help our older dogs feel … Read More
Does Your Dog Have Dementia?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 67 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops dementia, a disease that affects more than 5.3 million Americans. Although we often think of people getting dementia, we rarely think about senior dogs getting dementia. In dogs it is called cognitive dysfunction disorder (CDD), a disease related to the aging of a dog’s brain. Unlike the … Read More
Does Your Dog Have Arthritis?
My dog used to jump up on my bed, happy to lick my face and cover me with kisses first thing in the morning. We could play “fetch” for hours as my dog eagerly lunged for a frisbee or endlessly caught a ball. When I announced “dinner” he used to be at his food bowl in a flash. As we … Read More
What is Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?
Although hip dysplasia can occur in cats, dogs and humans, for the purpose of this article we will focus on dogs. According to the ASPCA, hip dysplasia is an inherited disease that occurs when a hip joint is improperly formed. Because the hip joint is loose, the dog’s leg bones move around too much causing pain. It is one of … Read More