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Would Your Dog Benefit From An Orthopedic Dog Bed?

By Valerie Goettsch

Just like with us humans and the type of beds we prefer, what makes a comfortable bed for your dog can depend on his age, health, and personality.

Dog beds provide warmth, comfort and a safe haven for your pet. If you have an older dog, especially one with arthritis or hip dysplasia, you may want to consider getting him an orthopedic dog bed.

What Are Orthopedic Dog Beds

Orthopedic dog beds are built to protect and provide added comfort for aged dogs, those with arthritic joints, and dogs that are overweight.

They provide maximum support and are typically constructed with medical-grade orthopedic egg crate foam cores and sometimes box-springs. There are even gel-foam beds that conform to your dog’s shape.

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Caring For Your Senior Dog

Your senior dog has given you many wonderful years of companionship. Don’t you owe it to him to make sure his later years are easy and comfortable?

How do you know if your dog is approaching his golden years? Different breeds of dogs mature at different rates, but a good rule of thumb is the larger the dog, the faster they mature.

Based on this, if your dog is seven he is probably experiencing, or at least approaching, his senior years. When your dog hits this stage in his life it’s important that he receive the right amount of exercise, nutrition, and veterinary care.

Signs of an Aging Dog

How does your dog show the signs of age? A healthy senior dog will most likely have a decrease in energy level. He may nap more, or become tired more easily. Your senior dog may also be stiff after play or upon getting up after a rest.

How do you know the difference between normal wear and tear and arthritis or an injury? If your dog loosens up after mild activity he’s probably just showing some signs of age. Dogs who seem to feel worse as the days go on should be seen by a vet to rule out other possibilities. (more…)

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Senior Dog Food – What Should You Feed your Senior Dog?

Aside from dogs that have developed a special condition such as diabetes, or heart or kidney disease, older dogs do not necessarily require special senior dog food.

Obviously, very old dogs that have difficulty chewing because their teeth fall out or break easily should be given moist foods, or dry food that has been moistened. But if your dog’s teeth are in shape, dry dog food – fed dry – is recommended. Not only does the abrasive action of eating dry food help to keep teeth clean and gums healthy, but calorie level is easier to regulate.

Older Dogs Require Less Food

Older dogs require smaller portions at mealtime to accommodate their less-active lifestyle.

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Muffy Faces a Diabetic Challenge

The classic early warning signs were all present when I brought my canine companion of twelve years into the veterinarian’s clinic. Muffy was lethargic, unsteady on her feet, drinking large amounts of water, and experiencing incontinence for the first time in her life. I knew something was seriously wrong.

After blood work and a physical examination, the veterinarian said that Muffy had developed type-two canine diabetes. After a brief discussion, we decided to try and regulate her blood sugar level with diet modification and insulin twice daily.

At first, it was rough going. Weekly checkups revealed Muffy’s sugar levels continued to bounce from one extreme to the other. Determined not give up, I monitored her urine samples at home for sugar content and adjusted insulin injections as necessary. Gradually, we began to see improvement.

After just a few months Muffy was once again her frisky self. You’d never know by watching her race about that she had a serious health problem. A special diet, proper amounts of insulin and regular exercise have worked together with Muffy’ s routine veterinary care to turn the tide. As a result, I can look forward to many more happy years with my little dog.

Diabetes is a Growing Health Issue for Pets

Wyoming veterinarian Mary Flitner, who recently moved her practice to New Mexico, received her D.V.M. degree at Colorado State University and an award for excellence in large animal surgery in 1997.

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