When I ask the owners of older pets how the pets are doing, I often hear in reply "He’s getting old. He’s slowing down and not very active anymore." I have to remind them that old age is not a disease. This "slowing down" that they are referring to is usually a sign of a chronic disease that is painful but has gone undetected. Old age is blamed for this disease, and so the pet suffers, usually in silence, not knowing that things could be different. (Excuse me while I step onto my soapbox for a moment then.)
And haven’t they earned the right to be cared for properly in their golden years? Didn’t they entertain us when they were puppies (even if they did chew up a few of our favorite shoes)! Didn’t they alert us when strangers approached the house? Didn’t they sleep near us, comfort us, and otherwise show us unconditional love? Don’t we owe it to them, for all those good years, to care for them in their old age as best we can?
I’ve heard it referred to as "old dog-itis" but old age is not a disease.Many diseaseas can cause your pet to "slow down" as he ages, but the aches and pains associated with deteriorating joints are from arthritis, not "old age". Arthritis can happen at nearly any age and 1 out of every 5 dogs has it. And there are so many things we can do to ease those aches and pains! There are a variety of pain medications, proper nutrition, joint supplements, weight loss, acupuncture, and physical rehabilitation to name a few. Don’t let your old dog suffer another day just because he’s old. Old dogs are the best, and they have earned the right to live as pain free as possible!
And haven’t they earned the right to be cared for properly in their golden years? Didn’t they entertain us when they were puppies (even if they did chew up a few of our favorite shoes)! Didn’t they alert us when strangers approached the house? Didn’t they sleep near us, comfort us, and otherwise show us unconditional love? Don’t we owe it to them, for all those good years, to care for them in their old age as best we can?
I’ve heard it referred to as "old dog-itis" but old age is not a disease.Many diseaseas can cause your pet to "slow down" as he ages, but the aches and pains associated with deteriorating joints are from arthritis, not "old age". Arthritis can happen at nearly any age and 1 out of every 5 dogs has it. And there are so many things we can do to ease those aches and pains! There are a variety of pain medications, proper nutrition, joint supplements, weight loss, acupuncture, and physical rehabilitation to name a few. Don’t let your old dog suffer another day just because he’s old. Old dogs are the best, and they have earned the right to live as pain free as possible!
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