Show some respect for old dogs

THERE is a general thought that one year of a dog's life is equal to seven of a human being. This assumption is based on the simple arithmetic that the average life span of a dog is ten years and the human average is seventy. That leaves me with about eight years to look forward to.

The reality is slightly different. There is quite a large variation of expected life span between different breeds. Small dogs tend to live longer than larger breeds. Great Danes, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds and St Bernards, for instance live to about ten. Bulldogs even less, usually about eight years. Toy dogs and small terriers can be expected to live to the comparatively ripe old age of fourteen to seventeen. There are, of course dogs which live longer than this but they are the exception rather than the rule.

When a dog grows older it undergoes many changes to its body. There is a reduction in the amount of muscle which makes it less active. Arthritis is common, making the dog move stiffly and it has difficulty in rising to a standing position. Because they don't exercise as much there is a tendency to develop overgrown claws. These will need extra trimming. Constipation is another problem that the inactive dog experiences.

Exercise should be given more often but the distances must be reduced. A little and often is much more beneficial than a long, extended walk. The older dog is not able to regulate its body temperature and so in summer it is advisable to keep him out of direct sunlight. In winter a coat should be provided to help him to conserve his body heat when he is out for a walk. Any cuts or bruises take much longer to heal. As the years take their toll there is a general decline in the senses of taste, smell sight and hearing. Feeding patterns should be altered because of the reduced activity levels. If they are not, the dog will pile on weight which will be an extra strain upon its heart and its joints. An older dog's metabolism slows down considerably and so it does not require as much food as it had in its younger days. This fact is now appreciated by the food manufacturers and there is now available a large selection of foods for the older dog. They are much lower in energy and consequently give the dog all the nourishment is needs without laying on fat.

As a dog gets older, it shows much less interest in its surroundings and is quite happy to spend long periods of time simply doing nothing. It won't do your dog any good, nor will he appreciate it, if you insist on playing with him at these times. Just let him flop if he wants to. Don't alter his daily routine too much as older dogs don't take kindly to change.

A dog's teeth should be kept in good condition by regular cleaning to prevent the build up of tartar. The older dog's teeth start to show signs of wear and by the age of sixteen the small teeth at the front of the jaw have practically disappeared. The regular use of fluoride chews helps to keep the breath smelling sweet. Discharges from the eyes and ears increase with age and so more regular cleaning is required.

Bitches which have not bee spayed are still able to come on heat. They may not come on quite as often as they get older but there is no such thing as the menopause in the canine world. It goes without saying that every precaution should be taken to prevent an elderly bitch from producing a litter.

Old age is not a disease and should be treated with gentleness and thoughtfulness. Its much the same in humans. I wish someone would tell my grandchildren.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.