I always thought I was a good pet parent. However, after my journey to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT), I learned that I could have been a better pet parent. Just like anything in life, we can always strive to be better, and the lessons I learned during my journey have helped me be a better pet parent. I want to share my knowledge and lessons with others to help their dogs age better.
Weight Management is important. If one dog gets a treat, other dogs don't need to have one...or swap out for a healthy snack. Humans and animals alike are best at a health weight. While one dog was losing weight, I felt sorry for the other dog not getting treats, so both ended up with treats. As a result, one dog ended up gaining 8 lbs and becoming a 9/9 on the body composition score. The ideal score is 5/9. Healthy weight is important to allow dogs to be as mobile as possible. It also lowers the risk of health related issues such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, heart disease, breathing problems, back problems, and certain types of cancer, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Keep your dogs moving. If mobility becomes an issue, modify it if needed. As the saying goes "motion is lotion". One mistake I made was when one dog was unable to walk very far, I quit taking both dogs on walks. This resulted in decreased overall mobility, weight gain, and decreased cardiovascular endurance. There are a few options I could have done. The first, shorten the walks in a controlled environment. If Meena got overstimulated, she would often pass out. Short walks with little outside stimulation would have been better than nothing. The other option, is letting her walk as far as she could, and then put her in a cart to provide her some mental stimulation and change of environment.
Take your dog to the vet regularly. I grew up in the 80's and 90's when vet visits were for emergencies only. When I became a pet parent, I did not realized my dogs needed regular vet visits. If I had taken my dog to the vet regularly, we might have caught the heart murmur and heart issues before it was too late. It may not have saved her, but learning about it and managing it could have improved her quality of life.
Recognize the signs of pain in your dog. During Meena's last week, she was shivering all the time. It was February and she had been shaved, so I assumed she was cold. It wasn't until days later that I realized it was a sign of pain. Dogs cannot communicate with us and they often mask their signs of pain. Pet MD has an extensive list here, but here is the short list: muscle spasms/twitching, panting, excessive licking, holding their heads down, restlessness, and change is sleep patterns.
Pets can age well. Age is just a number. With proper mobility, regular exercises, healthy weight, and mental stimulation, your pet can age well. I used to think that as dogs get older, they just slow down and eventually lose their mobility. However, I have learned that is not the case. Dogs are living longer and happier lives with proper care and support.
Canine Rehab can help your dog age well. We address areas of mobility, weight management, as well as physical and mental stimulation. We also help in areas of pain management and provide education to pet parents to help them improve their pet's quality of life. Contact us to see how we can help your dog age well!
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