Senior Care

As our loyal companions grow older, it's not just their faces that begin to show a touch of grey. Their needs, behaviours, and health status often begin to change too. Recognising when your dog has transitioned into their senior years is crucial for providing them with the quality of life they deserve. But how do we know when our dogs have officially become 'seniors', and what does this mean for their care?

As your dog ages their requirements change, whether that's thinking about a senior dog dietor adjusting schedules to fit around your older dog. This includes what toys they play with or activities they participate in. Your aging friend may no longer be able to run and grab a Frisbee, or leap around playing fetch for hours on end, but that doesn’t mean that their urge to play has gone! Also consider that when dogs age, their sight and hearing may deteriorate, so when it comes to toys for older dogs it’s usually a good idea to get bright ones, which can also be scented, noisy or flavoured. Keep reading to find out the best stimulating dog toys for your older pooch. Toys for older dogs When your dog becomes older you may think that they’ll no longer want to play, or might not have the energy to play with you.

When our cherished pet is no longer in our lives it can be devastating, whether you are coping with the loss of a cat, the loss of a dog, or indeed any other pet. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. The loss of a pet is an incredibly sad time for owners. Whether they pass away naturally or are put to sleep at the vets, it’s always a stressful and upsetting time. If your pet has been unwell, or is very old and naturally approaching the end of their life, you may already have plans in place for their eventual passing. However, even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by external factors or by grief. If you’re struggling with the loss of a dog or cat in the immediate aftermath, always ask for help from a friend, family member or veterinary professional. What often adds to the trauma of the death of a pet is the uncertainty of how to handle their remains. Take some of the stress out of this period with this comprehensive guide on what to do when your pet dies and how to cope with the loss of a pet. What happens when a pet dies naturally? We usually associate the death of a pet with them being put to sleep at a veterinary surgery. But what happens when a pet dies naturally at home? If your pet dies at home, it may be difficult to handle their remains. You may wish to call your vet or another professional service, such as a company that can assist with disposal. Remember that such services may not be available on weekends or during national holidays. Following the death of a pet, their body may still show signs of what can look like life, such as the following: • Twitching, as a result of natural nerve spasms after death. • The release of air from the mouth when moved. • The release of bodily fluids and gas. These can all be quite upsetting for owners to witness, especially if they aren’t expecting them. They aren’t, sadly, signs that your pet is coming back to life. They are simply the natural bodily functions and what happens when a cat or dog dies naturally.

When we’re working out how old a dog is in human years, the popular opinion is to multiply their age by seven. While it’s true that one year for human development is quite different to one year for a dog’s development, the actual number of dog years to human years depends on several factors, such as breed and size. We all wish our canine friends could live as long as us humans do, or even longer if possible. But the reality is their life span is not the same as ours and many dogs are already full-blown adults by the time they are two years old. In this article we’ll show you the easiest way to convert dog years to human years to find out exactly how old your dog is. Why the most famous rule to calculate dog years to human years can sometimes be wrong? You’ve probably used the following easy-math rule for calculating how old your dog is: multiply their dog age by seven to get their age equivalent in human years. The formula was likely based on the fact that while most humans get to live until they’re 70, dogs live on average 10 years. However, this rule doesn’t always offer reliable results. The dog’s size and breed play an important part in their life expectancy, with smaller breeds usually living longer than larger breeds. Larger breeds live shorter lives, so they mature more quickly. Large and giant breeds are usually considered to be ‘seniors’ by the time they’re five, while medium-sized dogs won’t reach old age until they’re seven. Small and toy breeds reach seniority around the age of 10. How to calculate dog years to human? According to the UK Kennel Club, the general guidelines for determine how old a dog is are the following: • The first two years of a small dog’s life is roughly the same as 12.5 human years, while it’s 10.5 for a medium dog, and nine for large dogs. • Each additional year of the dog’s life is then multiplied by between 4.3 and 13.4 years, depending on the breed, to find their human age. Dog age calculator We’ve taken these guidelines and turned them into a visual, easy-to-use dog age calculator, so you can find your dog’s age in seconds. Make sure you choose the option that suits your pet (small breed, medium breed or large breed) and use the slider to find out the equivalent human age of your dog. Who was the oldest dog in the world? Who was the oldest dog in the world? Although many dog lovers will know of at least one or two dogs in their late teens or early twenties, it is rare to have verifiable records, such as from breeders or vets, to prove their age. One such remarkable case does exist though: according to Guiness World Records, Bluey, an Australian Cattle dog, lived a whopping 29 years and 5 days!

You may have noticed some grey hairs on your dog, or sensed that they’ve started to slow down a little – this is all perfectly normal as they approach their senior years. When does my dog become a senior? Just like us, dogs get older gradually - there’s no exact age that they become “senior”, but they can usually be considered to be of an older age between 5-9 years old. The age that your pet is considered to be “older” depends on what dog you have, as typically smaller dogs have a much longer lifespan than giant breeds. Large and giant breeds may show signs of ageing a little earlier while small dogs, who generally live the longest, may not become senior until they’re eight or nine. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise and medical history all play a part in how long a senior dog will live, but the important thing to remember is that your later years together could be some of your most rewarding. After all, you’re both wiser as well as older! Read our tips below on how to make the later years of your dog’s life some of their most rewarding. Home life

No dog owner ever wants to think about putting a dog to sleep, but it’s a decision that you may find yourself making towards the end of your dog’s life. Although heart breaking, dog euthanasia is sometimes the kindest option for your pet. It’s never easy having to put your dog down, but doing your research before the sad day arrives may help you to understand it all a little better. Should I put my dog down? It’s the decision no one ever wants to make, but if your dog’s quality of life is suffering with no sign of getting better, you may find the kindest option is to put your dog to sleep. It’s a very hard choice; on the one hand you want to spend as long as possible with your friend but, on the other hand, you want to make the right decision for them. You will normally have a bit of time to think things through, and we always recommend you talk to family and friends and consult your vet as part of the process. Whilst you and your family will be able to tell if your dog is acting out of character or seems to be struggling, your vet will have a good insight into how this will affect their quality of life. Consider your pet’s mobility, appetite, breathing, comfort, toileting habits, mental capacity, happiness and response to treatment. If you notice any of these failing, then seek further advice from your vet. Ultimately, the decision to put your dog to sleep will be yours, but remember that sometimes the kindest and most responsible decision is to let them go, especially if they will suffer if they keep going. Deciding to put your dog to sleep is hard for the whole family, especially children. If you can, try to sit down as a family and discuss the decision together, being honest about your reasons and what it will mean for everyone, including your beloved pet. Of course, it will be an upsetting conversation, and there may be tears, but try to focus on it being about what’s best for your dog – after all, you all want to do the right thing for them.