With this in mind, we’ll answer some of the most common questions people ask about their senior canines. This article will help clarify some of the strange behaviors you may be noticing in your aging pooch.

“Is It Normal For Older Dogs To Eat Less?”

Generally speaking, yes. A lot of older pets seem to lose their appetite as they age. One of the reasons is because they are less active. Because they are burning less energy during the day, their caloric requirements are lower. Hence, a sluggish appetite.

If your pooch is losing weight and still eating much less than normal, have his veterinarian examine him. This will help rule out diseases or health issues that may be contributing to his loss of interest in food.

“Does My Senior Canine Need More Frequent Veterinary Care?”

When your dog reaches his twilight years, consider taking him to the veterinarian every six months for checkups. Preventative care becomes more important than ever as your pet’s immune system becomes less effective. The vet can perform a physical examination, dental exam, and rectal exam. He or she can also test your pooch’s eyes to identify signs of cataracts or glaucoma.

Other tests may include blood work, a urinalysis, thyroid test, and a blood pressure test. The earlier health issues are identified, the more effectively they can be addressed.

“Why Does My Older Pooch Ignore Me?”

The most common reason canines become less responsive to their owners is a loss of hearing. It usually happens gradually, but most owners remain unaware of the problem until the hearing loss is severe. By that time, it often seems as if the dog is completely unresponsive to the point of defiance.

First, have the veterinarian test your pooch’s hearing. That way, you’ll have a better idea regarding the severity of the loss. Then, develop hand signals that will allow you to communicate with your canine. Lastly, have patience with him.

“Why Does My Senior Dog Have Constipation So Often?”

Older canines experience constipation for a couple of reasons. First, they’re less active. Second, their dietary needs are changing because their metabolism is slowing down. Take your dog for a daily walk and increase the level of fiber in his meals. Doing these two things will improve his bowel function.

“My Canine Is Usually Friendly. Why Is He Snapping More?”

There may be several concurrent reasons your senior canine snaps more often than he did in his youth. If his hearing or vision is lacking, he may be startled by your approach and react by snapping.

Also, it’s possible that he is experiencing joint pain; arthritis is common in older dogs. If he is feeling pain in his joints, he may be less capable of retreating from circumstances he finds irritating. As his stress level increases, his tolerance level declines. The result? Snapping.

“My Older Dog Seems Senile. Is This Possible?”

Yes. It is possible. Just as elderly people may experience short or long-term symptoms of senility, so too, can canines. It is called cognitive dysfunction. You may notice your dog behaving as if he is confused or has lost his memory. His sleep patterns might change; he may fail to recognize family members; and he might become steadily less active. Make an appointment with his veterinarian. He or she may be able to recommend medications or dietary changes that will reduce your pooch’s symptoms.

Canines are similar to people in many ways, one of them being the manner in which they age. Recognize the signs of your senior dog’s changing needs and take steps to accommodate them. Doing so will help him remain comfortable throughout his remaining years.

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Commercially available flea medicines for dogs often have warning about using the product on pups less than eight weeks of age. Capstar is an exception as it can be used as early as four weeks. Though it kills all adult fleas on the dog, Capstar does not kill flea larvae or eggs. However, killing the biting fleas on a pup with a one time dose of Capstar allows the owner to them remove flea eggs by frequent bathing of the animal.

Bathing is the best flea control for very young puppies. A small amount of Dawn dish liquid or any other mild soap will kill fleas. It is not necessary nor recommended that commercial flea shampoos be used on very young dogs.

By bathing the pup and then combing with a fine-toothed flea comb, the owner can kill biting fleas and also remove flea detritus. The area where puppies are kept must also be treated and bedding washing in hot water frequently. Fleas can survive immersion into water but the dish soap allows water to overcome the flea’s defenses.

Mixing 50% water with 50% Dawn liquid is the preferred method for keeping puppies flea free. Apply first on the dog’s neck all the way around the neckline to keep fleas from fleeing to the puppy’s face and ears. Then apply the mixture along the dog’s spine and wet the animal with a gentle spray of warm water to create a lather. Massage gently for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

Mixing the water and dish soap is the key to killing the fleas. Avoid wetting the pup before applying the mixture to prevent giving the fleas time to protect themselves from water.

Once your pet is two months old you can start him on what will be a lifetime regimen of protection against fleas. A monthly application of topical flea drops will kill any fleas that jump on the pet out of doors and will keep those fleas from making a home in your carpet and furniture, too.

Fleas multiply rapidly and are amazingly adaptive. They create new generations of fleas so rapidly that in a years time it’s possible for fleas in your location to become resistant to the flea drops you are using. By changing brands from Advantage to Frontline Plus to Revolution or k9 Advantix once a year you will keep the fleas confused and they won’t have a chance to fight back against your flea medicine for dogs.

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After acknowledging the presence of cancer in your furry friend, the next step towards battling the disease head on is to explore the possible treatments that are available. The treatments to be considered should match the exact condition, stage of the disease and comfort level of your pet and the extent to which you, as pet owner, will allow a particular treatment to progress.

Your vet is armed with the proper knowledge and skill and is in the perfect position to handle the situation. He or she may be able to prescribe the proper tests, medication and treatment options for your dog. Treatment options should be able to answer questions like: what is the best treatment, up to what extent can the cancer be treated, how much pain would your pet suffer during the course of the treatment, how long the course of treatment will take.

Cancer in dogs might be a little bit more complicated than we think. For instance, there are some breeds that are more susceptible to certain cancers than others. It is important to be vigilant and to take notice of your dog’s behavior and appearance. As a dog owner, it is essential that one recognizes that he plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of his beloved pet. This includes the realization that one can only do so much, and only up to a certain extent when dealing with his pet’s health. Only when this limitation is realized will one be able to properly address the needs of his sick pet. When one suspects that his pet has cancer, it is not the time to play doctor or play God. These are one of the things that are better left in the hands of the experts.

Certain cancers respond well to specific treatments. As with cancer treatments for humans, there now a number of treatments that you can choose for your beloved animal. All these developments, of course, are courtesy of modern science. Available treatments range from the more traditional treatments to some newer methods that involve the use of cutting-edge technologies. Methods change with the changing of the times. People and medical experts are now more open to the idea of combining natural ways of healing and conventional medicine. The result is a myriad of solutions that range from holistic, natural, to the more cutting-edge, technological, alternative methods of treatment.

As with any medical condition, it is always wise to leave serious conditions under the professional eye of medical practitioners. The same is true in both humans and animals.

At any rate, the prevention of any disease is always better than having to search for the cure. Your pet’s vet is the perfect person for the job as he possesses the necessary experience and knowledge to diagnose the specific problem and administer treatment.

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The best dog grooming is normally achieved by following a vet’s suggestions. Some people prefer doing it a home with the appropriate tools while others feel it more comfortable to take the pet to a professional groomer.

A healthy coat comes with good frequent brushing, and most dogs really enjoy this kind of grooming. Here you’ll have to adjust the brushes to the dog’s coat type. Thus, thick-haired dogs require daily brushing to prevent hair matting and tangling. The rest of the grooming is a lot easier if the pet’s fur is kept in a good condition by daily brushing. Medium-haired dogs need weekly brushing only, while short-haired breeds raise almost no problems in terms of brushing. We ought to emphasize the importance of good brushing during the shedding season.

While brushing is a joy, nail trimming is a nightmare. The gentlest of dogs will not like you handling his paws, which makes nail trimming challenging for most pet owners. Finding the best dog grooming for the matter means avoiding the pet’s fear of pain, since this will make things a lot easier. A professional groomer or vet technician should be entrusted with nail trimming at least once a month, and you may also learn a thing or two from them.

Bathing is another harsh time for pets and owners. Animal behavior is certainly unpredictable and while some dogs love water others will jump out of the tub the moment they get the chance. Although a monthly bath is enough, you can bathe the animal weekly if the smell bothers you. Besides the elimination of the bad smells, the best dog grooming and bathing will eliminate parasites that hide in the hair such as flees and ticks. Special shampoos are used depending on the case, and occasionally, the vet may have to give some recommendations too.

Get more facts about Pet Grooming including locating a dog grooming salon in your neighborhood. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

Some natural ingredients in high fiber food for dogs include fruits and vegetables such as apples and sweet potatoes, whole grains, cereals, rice, the hulls of soybeans, beet pulp, and corn products.

You’ve probably heard of the importance of fiber in our diet but many pet owners don’t realize the impact it can have on their dogs. Problems like obesity, constipation, and anal gland disease are all often treated with a high fiber diet, which is said to reduce the risk of colon cancer. High fiber ingredients are usually lower in calories and will cause your dog to feel fuller longer, but without the added calories that contribute to weight gain.

Switching to a higher fiber food for your dog will help create larger, bulkier stools, which may not be exactly pleasant when it comes time to clean up the yard, but it just may help to put extra pressure on the anal glands, helping to solve the common but also irritating problem of anal gland disease. Anal gland disease may include abscessed, impacted, or infected anal glands, which are the two sacs just inside the opening of the anus that secrete fluid. Bulky stools can help to ease constipation as they put pressure on the inside of the intestines as they pass through the digestive tract, stimulating the entire process.

Although helpful and healthy, it’s important for pet owners to ensure their dogs aren’t getting too much fiber, which can have adverse health effects like excessive flatulence and diarrhea. Also, getting too much fiber can affect the way a dog’s system absorbs vital nutrients they need to thrive.

Three of the Best Choices When It Comes To Dog Food With High Fiber Content:

Based on consumer opinion, ingredients, and cost, here are three of the top brands of dog food with high fiber content:

- Royal Canin: Averaging around $20 for a six-pound bag and $74 for a 33-pound bag, Calorie Control CC 26 High Fiber Dog Food from Royal Canin Veterinary Diet contains 18.30% crude fiber. With natural ingredients designed to promote weight loss while adding fiber, this variety from Royal Canin will require a prescription from a veterinarian for purchase.

- Doctors Foster and Smith Adult Lite Dog Food Chicken Brown Rice Formula: This food contains 13% crude fiber, reduced calories, and has whole grains including barley and brown rice, fruits like apples, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots. A five-pound bag averages $10 and the 23-pound size is $35.

- Hill’s Science Diet: Averaging around $14 for a small, 5 pound bag and $50 for the 40 pound size, Adult Lite Dog Food from Hill’s Science Diet contains 18.5% of crude fiber thanks to ingredients like whole grain corn that’s been ground, soybean meal, and soybean mill run. This high fiber food also contains added vitamins and minerals.

Before taking matters into your own hands and changing to a high fiber food for your dog, ask your pet’s veterinarian for their advice and recommendations. Pet owners often make the mistake of misdiagnosing their dog’s symptoms, inadvertently doing more harm than good. Ask a professional before switching food and when making the change, do so over time to keep your pet’s digestive health operating at its optimal level and with as little disruption as possible.

Disclaimer: This article’s content is opinion only and is simply meant to provide the reader with general information. Nothing in this article should be looked upon as being medical advice. Always seek your veterinarian’s opinion before altering your dog’s diet in a major way.

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Your dog’s behavior, longevity, happiness, physical condition and overall well-being are completely determined by what goes in their jaws. In other words, what you feed them. Dogs, just like humans, have specific nutritional needs. And to complicate matters, dog nutrition and their requirements vary from several aspects, like breed, age, weight, physical alertness, fitness levels, and so on. The big commercial dog brands that cost you tens of dollars a bag may do wonders for your Labrador but can entirely be wrong for your Beagle. Knowing things about dog diet doesn’t require you to be a specialist in canine diet, there are just essential concepts that are valuable to take note of.

The healthy nourishment that is contained in branded dog foods and supplements should preferably come from the correct ingredients and in the appropriate proportions to call for a complete bio-chemical response for absorption, assimilation, transport, and emission to take place. This complete activity is carried out by cells inside your dog’s body. To be able to function ideally, the bodily fluids that immerse the cells ought to be externally controlled day by day, with preferably no less than a very small number of point variations in its percentage. The perfection of the complete digestion process is commonly and simply recognized as the correct dog nourishment. And vets know best.

The proteins, carbs, vitamins, fats and minerals, collectively called nutrients, work as the fuel, which in turn are changed into energy. The amount of energy produced determines how much heat is made. This internal energy will in turn determine your pet’s capacity to control his own body heat, which is critical to a healthy life. Everything your dog does from running to sleeping and living a lengthy and healthy life is determined by the fuel (dog nutrition) you provide and the goodness the body makes out of it.

Feed your dogs a well-balanced food and healthy treats – formulated by a vet you trust. What he or she ingests in his or her mouth is his/her primary source of nourishment. Good dog nourishment can not only be bought in your supermarket or in a neighborhood pet store. You can now buy top quality premium dog food formulated by vets online – delivered right to your home whenever you need it.

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