November celebrates senior pets with two different recognition events: Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month and National Senior Pet Month. We love all this attention on senior pets. Here are the reasons why senior dogs are great, and why you need a senior dog in your home. Plus, we have tips on how to keep them happy and healthy with our NEW DOWNLOADABLE tip sheet!
What age is Senior Dog Status?
At what age do you consider a pet to be senior in age? The answer is not as easy as you think. For dogs, being at senior age status is different based on dog breed. For example, a small dog like a Chihuahua would be entering senior years at age 8 as they can live to 12 – 14 years old. But for larger dogs like a Great Dane, their senior life begins around 4 as they may only live to be 8 – 10 years old.
Do you know how old your dog really is? There is a recent study to illustrate this, and we wrote about it. Check out the article: “How Old is Your Dog?”
FACT: A dog is considered senior when they reach the age of 5 or 6 for large breed dogs; and 6 or 7 for medium breed dogs. Small and toy dogs have a longer life span, so age 8 for a small or toy breed is considered senior. While there are many dogs that live well into their teens, overall the average lifespan of a dog is between 10-13 years. Have a dog older than that? Consider those years a bonus!
One thing is for certain: no matter how old your dog lives, it’s never long enough. So be sure they enjoy these senior years!
Do you have a senior dog? If so, you might want to get this FREE downloadable tips sheet on “Caring for Your Senior Dog!”
Now that you know what a senior dog is, and when they become one. Here are a few reasons why we love our senior dogs:
8 Reasons Why Senior Dogs are Awesome!
- With Age Comes Wisdom. Senior dogs are already house-trained. This, by far, is the best benefit. No worries about house training as they already know the drill.
- Understanding of Good Dog Behavior. Senior dogs most likely will understand basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “down.” They won’t jump on your friends or your children, because they know how to be “good dogs.”
- Great for Active Lifestyles. Older dogs know how to walk on a leash. This is unlike puppies who need to be trained to walk on a leash. Training puppies on leashes is a big job, especially exhausting is how much they pull you. Your senior dog walks with you, not against you.
- Activity Level is Less than Younger Dogs. As said before, those senior dogs are active and can walk or run with you. Often with senior dogs, a smaller walk is just fine by them. Puppies are full of energy and can run for miles whereas your senior dog is likely content with just walking outside for a few blocks.
- They Love Sleep Too. Older dogs know when it’s time to go to bed AND they know when it’s time to wake up. In fact, they may keep on sleeping as you must get up. This means if you enjoy sleeping through the night, an older dog is for you. Puppies, on the other hand, wake up a lot because their bladders are smaller.
- Senior Dogs are Lovable. Senior dogs love the attention too! And the best thing is they sit still while you give them the attention they need. Puppies often have wiggles, making it harder to snuggle.
- Leave Your Shoes at the Door. Yes! Keep your best shoes intact! If you have a puppy, you know they love chewing things up, especially shoes. Senior dogs know the difference between your things and their things.
- You Could be Saving Their Life. Often puppies and younger dogs are adopted faster than the senior dogs in shelters. The reality is you are giving senior dogs final years of happiness and extending their lifespan.
4 Tips to Keep Your Senior Dog Young
We are all looking for the fountain of youth. Unfortunately, there is not one for us, nor is there one for our fur-babies. However, you can do things to keep them as healthy as possible. The goal is to have them live longer and stay more active and pain free. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t assume your dog is “just getting older.” If you notice they are exhibiting something different, don’t overlook it. A trip to the veterinary clinic will determine if it is something that needs treatment. It’s better to go and find out what it is, then delay action and it becomes even worse.
- Keep your pets mentally and physically active. Regular walks, play time, and loving time are all good for physical and mental well-being. Be sure to keep them active as much as you can all year long.
- Keep those regular veterinary checkups in rotation. Early detection and prevention help your pet live a longer life and the key to that is working with your veterinarian to stay on top of any health problems they might have before it becomes an issue.
- Add a joint supplement like Glyde™ Mobility Chews to your pet’s diet. There are a variety of joint supplements out there. Not sure what to look for? Read what ingredients you should have in your joint supplement.
ADOPT A SENIOR DOG
Often people think a senior dog means a less healthy dog or there might be a problem with the dog. This is an inaccurate assumption. Sometimes situations change, causing dogs to be put up for adoption. A family’s lifestyle can change, an addition of a baby, the loss of a family member, needing to move away or a whole other list of things can mean that unfortunately, the dog can’t go with them. Then they land in the adoption center. These are still great dogs with lots of love to give. Consider adopting a senior pet next time you are thinking about an addition to your family. And celebrate the senior pets in your life.
THANK A SENIOR DOG
If you have a senior dog, be sure to take this time to analyze their health and keep them healthy. Sometimes we get used to our dogs and miss certain tell-tale signs. If you notice your dog isn’t moving as much as they used to, you may want to check them out. Because we love our senior dogs and we always want to thank them for the joy they bring to our lives! We all know the best thing about dogs is how they impact their lives. The worst thing about dogs is they don’t live nearly long enough. Let’s make sure they are happy and healthy for as long as they can be in our lives. Keep them active and happy on Glyde Mobility Chews!
Glyde is the best joint supplement to combat the signs of arthritis in dogs, one of the leading reasons dogs slow down. Glyde uses all-natural ingredients to promote healthy joints so your dog can do everything they want to do. With these three powerful ingredients, the proven formula is what makes us different:
Most joint supplements will have Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate, so be sure to check the levels in whatever you purchase. You often need to give twice the amount to equal what is in one Glyde chew. This is what makes us different.
Remember there is a puppy still inside your beloved senior dog. Age is just a number, thanks to the help of Glyde™ Mobility Chews.
Do you have a senior dog? If so, you might want to get this FREE downloadable tips sheet on “Caring for Your Senior Dog!”
Find out more from the AAHA about caring for senior dogs with this resource: “2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.”
