National Pet Awareness Month

October is National Pet Awareness Month and serves as a great reminder for dog owners to take their canine companions in for annual veterinary checkups. Much like their owners, pets need regular screenings and preventative medication to keep them happy and healthy. Routinely bringing your pooch to the vet will also increase the likelihood that you can catch any ailments or injuries before they become a more considerable problem.

Consistent visits to your vet can also help prepare you for common conditions experienced by dogs at certain ages. Such information can give you the knowledge needed to identify any behavioral changes that are signs of an age-related disorder. Most owners are diligent about their puppy’s health, but many take a less active role in the health of their older dogs. Aging canines suffer from some of the same ailments as their owners. Arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease and a lowered immune system are just some of the conditions experienced by our older dogs.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul reminds owners to keep an eye on aging pets to help prevent problems. After all, our dogs can’t tell us how they’re feeling, so it is our responsibility to keep an eye on them and make the effort to provide them with the best care possible!

Nutrition for Senior Dogs

As your canine companion grows older, it is important to keep a closer eye on their exercise and eating habits. Older dogs have special nutritional needs that must be met by proper feeding and care. Keeping your mature dog fit and lean will enhance their lifespan and increase your pet’s quality of life!

For your canine to maintain a healthy digestive system, include prebiotics in their diet like dried chicory root. The digestion of these prebiotics produces short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which serve as an energy source for intestinal cells and beneficial bacteria. (It’s a good thing, I promise!)

To protect your senior dog from damage caused by aging, provide antioxidants in their food like Vitamin E or Selenium. You can also include vitamins like L-carnitine in your pet’s diet which can regulate their blood sugar and convert fat to energy. Always be sure to check the nutritional labels of your pet’s food to ensure the product will meet the needs of your senior dog.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul urges senior dog owners to take the extra time required to provide their older canines with proper dietary nutrition. If you have additional suggestions for keeping your senior dog healthy, please share them on the comment form below!