Person 1: Like the rest of us, our four-legged friends also age and with that comes some of the same problems we all face when we’re growing old. Better’s Pet lifestyle and wellness expert, Jenn Fedal, tells Rhiannon the best way to care for our pets in their golden years.
Person 2: Thanks, Audra. No one wants to think about their dog getting old. No one wants to think about that but for every one year equals 7 human years. We’ve all heard that kind of rule of thumb for dogs. So, my question for Jenn today is when is a dog considered old?
Person 3: Well, you know, you need to have that – you need to approach that topic when your dog turns seven with your veterinarian. I know. And it is. You know especially for smaller breeds, they tend to have a longer life span so, really, 7 years old for, like, a Maltese or a Chihuahua is still relatively young. They’re still adults versus a Great Dane, let’s say. You know, their life span really is only 9 or 10 years so 7 is getting up there.
Person 2: So, what are some signs that your dog is getting old?
Person 3: Well, the typical; greying of the beard, they start to slow down. You may notice a little bluish color in their eyes which is a sign of cataract forming. They tend to start drinking more water. Their metabolism starts slowing down. So, they may start eating less food; their appetite is decreased a little bit. So, all of those are signs. They may start to lose their hearing, you know, just how we age. (Voice Overlapping)
Person 2: So, what can we do to make our aging dog more comfortable?
Person 3: There’s so many things. The first thing you can do is make sure they have a good bed. So, today, instead of bringing a bed, I brought a duvet cover because my aging dog loves nothing more than sleeping in a pile of dirty clothes. So with the duvet cover, you can stack it with whatever, dirty clothes, towels, an old bed – something to make it comfortable for them and make it just perfect for them.
Person 2: And that’s such a great idea.
Person 3: Yeah, I love that.
Person 2: What about nutrition for older dogs?
Person 3: Nutrition… You’re probably going to want to decrease their fat and intake and protein intake, because they’re slowing down. So they’re not burning that off is much as they were before.
Person 2: Go start putting on pounds.
Person 3: And they start packing it in. And you don’t want them to pack on the pounds because that will affect their joints, their hip, their knees and you don’t want to deal with that. So, lower fat, lower protein but a boost in glucosamine and chondroitin which is in anti-inflammatory.
Person 2: Okay.
Person 3: So, if they do have some, you know, problems in the hip area or with arthritis that will help them feel better.
Person 2: No.
Person 3: Yes.
Person 2: We want to make them comfy. Okay, so what about toys?
Person 3: Toys, you know, they still want to play with toys a lot of the time but pick a toy that’s not too hard because sometimes their teeth are more sensitive, their gums are more sensitive as they get old. So that has a little bit more gift to it. You can still stuff it with treats but it’s just a little bit softer. Their teeth can sink into it versus being so tough. You know, impenetrable.
Person 2: Okay, quickly grooming.
Person 3: Grooming… a lot of times my client -- my dog is just getting old and smelly. Keep them washed with a good smelling soap-free, detergent-free shampoo like Mango Tango. And then in between baths, spritz them down with a little cologne.
Person 2: Great idea. All great ideas. Thanks, Jenn.
Person 3: Thank you.
Person 2: Wonderful ideas today.
Person 3: Okay.
Person 2: Audra, back to you.
Person 1: Thanks a lot, ladies, and for great ideas from Jenn on training your dog, you can log on to www.bettertv.com and click on the links tab.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services