A few decades ago, Old Golden Retrievers were known to live up to 16 or 17 years. However, nowadays it’s common for these dogs to pass away at the young age of 11 or 12. As such, Golden Retrievers are considered elderly when they reach 8 years old. In this article, we will discuss the signs of aging that pet owners should look out for and suggest changes that they might need to keep their dogs happy. We will cover topics such as food, ramps, bedding, and veterinary checks. Additionally, we will provide essential health information on topics such as sore joints, eyesight, hearing, and cancer risks.
Observing your canine grow older is arduous for every proprietor. Regrettably, it is an inescapable facet of existence. Senior dogs necessitate distinct care compared to juveniles. They confront numerous difficulties. Analogous to us, they encounter reduced vitality, amplified soreness, and enhanced susceptibility to afflictions and contagions. In this article, we examine the aging progression in Golden Retrievers, what to anticipate, and provide guidance on how to tend to your mature pooch.
Do you own a senior Golden Retriever that is showing signs of slowing down? If so, let’s explore ways to enhance your furry friend’s comfort during their golden years.
When is a Golden Retriever Officially Elderly?
Smaller dogs have longer lifespans compared to larger dogs due to their slower aging process. In the past, Golden Retrievers could live up to 16 or 17 years, however, nowadays their average lifespan is shorter, ranging from 10 to 12 years. This decline is attributed to their higher susceptibility to cancer compared to other breeds.
An official classification of old age for a Golden Retriever is reached at approximately 8 to 9 years old, which can be equated to 61 to 68 years old in humans.
Signs That Your Golden Retriever Is Getting Old
Signs that your dog is getting older consist of:
- Increased fatigue
- Difficulty getting around
- Stiff joints and arthritis
- Cloudy eyes
- Incontinence
- Lumps or other skin issues
- Hearing loss
- Slowing down
- Sight loss
- Gaining weight
- Coat losing condition
- Bad breath
- Drooling
- Greying around the face and muzzle
- Muscle atrophy
- Cognitive dysfunction
Aging dogs typically undergo many of these alterations but caution should be exercised in disregarding them as some could indicate a medical issue necessitating attention from a veterinarian.
Caring for an Old Golden Retriever
As your Golden Retriever reaches old age, there will be certain lifestyle modifications that will be necessary for their well-being. As a responsible pet owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your senior dog receives specialized care and appropriate lifestyle changes.
Veterinary Care
Visiting the vet twice a year for a comprehensive check-up is recommended for senior dogs. During this appointment, the veterinarian will conduct a detailed physical examination of your Golden Retriever, which includes checking their teeth, and inquiring about any possible alterations.
Different diagnostic assessments, such as a blood test, urinalysis, fecal flotation, and chemistry screening of the liver and kidneys, are conducted to identify and manage any health concerns. Certain illnesses are more common in elderly dogs.
- cancer
- diabetes
- arthritis
- heart, liver and kidney diseases
Be watchful for any signs of weight loss or gain, decreased appetite, heightened thirst, or mobility issues in your Goldie in between your biannual appointments.
Grooming an Old Golden Retriever
As dogs age and lose mobility, self-grooming becomes challenging. To promote a healthy coat and skin and relieve pressure, it is advisable to brush your geriatric Goldie. Moreover, this routine provides an opportunity to keep an eye on any abnormal lumps or bumps. When brushing, exercise care as older dogs have more sensitive skin.
Keeping your Golden Retriever clean and healthy involves giving them a bath. In case of mobility issues, it is advisable to take them to a groomer who can carry out the task without utilizing a bathtub. To avoid potential injuries, make sure to trim their nails every one or two months.
Inspect your Goldie’s toe pads for an excess amount of fur as it may result in slipping. In the event that you have slick flooring, you can either put rubber matting down or consider utilizing non-slip dog boots or socks, provided that your furry friend will tolerate them!
Old Golden Retriever Dental Care
Maintaining good dental hygiene is extremely important, particularly for an aging Golden Retriever. It is necessary to brush its teeth on a regular basis, while also being mindful of any unpleasant odors, bleeding gums, or broken teeth. Providing your dog with safe chew toys is also crucial. During your pet’s routine checkups, your veterinarian will inspect its teeth as well.
Exercise
It is essential that dogs exercise regardless of age. Older Golden Retrievers are at risk of gaining too much weight, which can result in severe health issues. While younger dogs can withstand 30 to 40 minute walks, it is advised that owners of elderly Goldies split their walks into two shorter sessions lasting 15 to 20 minutes each.
Pay attention to any signs of changes in your dog’s behavior such as increased tiredness, difficulty breathing, or coughing. For older Golden Retrievers suffering from joint conditions or arthritis, swimming is a great form of exercise. It’s important to consult with your veterinarian about your dog’s exercise regimen. If walking causes pain, your vet may suggest the use of pain medication or hydrotherapy.
Old Golden Retriever Diet
As Golden Retrievers age and become less active, their nutritional needs evolve. For senior dogs, it’s important to provide a well-rounded diet that’s low in calories in order to accommodate their slowing metabolism and decreased exercise routines. Additionally, protein and fat should remain in the diet in moderate amounts, while fiber intake should be increased.
You could opt for feeding your aging dog their usual food, but in reduced portions, or consider feeding them senior-focused dog food that is specifically designed for their nutritional needs. Several reputable brands offer senior dog food that is low in calories and thoughtfully balanced to provide your furry friend with the nutrients they require.
Including glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate in your dog’s diet is beneficial for their joints. In order to prevent any digestive issues in your Golden Retriever, slowly transition to the new food by gradually incorporating it over a span of seven to ten days. It is important to adhere to the recommended feeding instructions.
Although dogs typically receive two daily meals, it is recommended to provide your dog with smaller and more frequent feedings. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian regarding an appropriate diet plan for your Golden Retriever, particularly if there are preexisting ailments like obesity or joint problems.
BONUS: How to Choose the Best Dog Food
In an ideal world, all dog food would be created equal. Instead, dog owners are presented with an overwhelming array of options, all claiming to be the best dog food on the market. Wading through these choices to find a dog food brand that is healthy, affordable, and appealing to your pet is often frustrating. We’ve compiled expert advice to help you narrow down your options.
What Makes a Dog Food “Good”?
Most individuals opt for either dry kibble or canned wet food for their dogs. Even though these products may not be enticing to us, they provide all the essential nutrients required by dogs to maintain their well-being. The production of high-quality commercial dog foods is meticulously controlled and evaluated by veterinary experts. Therefore, what exactly constitutes these dog foods?
Contrary to cats, dogs are not considered as strict carnivores. Though meat comprises the bulk of their food intake, canines are capable of deriving essential nutrients from grains, veggies, and fruits. These non-meat components are not mere fillers but serve as significant sources of fiber, vital vitamins, and minerals. A well-balanced canine diet must comprise meat, grains, vegetables, and fruits. The most excellent dog diets contain prime quality versions of these elements that are suitable for your pet’s digestive system.
Dog Food Nutrition
To ensure your dog receives adequate nutrition, it’s vital to select a dog food brand that meets his specific dietary requirements. Although most commercial dog food brands are formulated to meet the minimum nutritional guidelines for dogs, it’s crucial to keep in mind that each dog may have unique nutritional needs.
Dogs require a wide range of nutrients in different quantities over the course of their lives. The nutritional needs of a puppy are different from an adult dog, which is why it is a good idea to feed a puppy formula or an “all life stages” food to your young dog. If you are unsure about the differences in nutritional requirements between puppies and adults, the Merck Veterinary Manual lists the recommended nutrients for dogs, along with the recommended amount by weight and age. Large breed dogs and puppies have different nutritional requirements than small breed dogs and puppies.
Dog Food Myths and Misinformation
There are plenty of dog food myths and misinformation about dog nutrition on the Internet. You can sort through it by following one simple rule: check your sources. Many well-meaning individuals make claims about dog nutrition without backing them up with scientific evidence. As you do research, always check to see if the information is supported by a credible source, like a veterinarian, canine nutritionist, or scientific study. It never hurts to be skeptical, either. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
There are a lot of questions about dog food that includes grains or animal byproducts, as well as those that are pea-free. If your vet has identified that your dog has a food allergy caused by grains, you may want to switch to a grain-free diet, but for most dogs, grains can be a good source of nutrition. Similarly, quality animal byproducts like organ meats and entrails provide plenty of nutrients and aren’t the same as hooves, hair, floor sweepings, intestinal contents, or manure. If you have questions or concerns about your dog’s food, it’s always a good idea to speak with your vet.
How to Read a Dog Food Label
Identifying a high-quality dog food from a substandard one can be accomplished by scrutinizing the label, which can be challenging due to the small font size and the cumbersome handling of bulky dog food bags in stores. Unfortunately, labels can also be deceiving, as described by the Merck Veterinary Manual. The Food and Drug Administration mandates that dog food labels should contain eight essential pieces of information, and certain states may have their own specific labeling guidelines.
- Product name
- Net weight of the product
- Name and address of the manufacturer
- Guaranteed analysis
- List of ingredients
- Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)
- Statement of nutritional adequacy
- Feeding guidelines
Product Name
The name of the product provides substantial information about the contents within the packaging. The word “beef” denotes that the product must contain at least 70 percent beef. However, “beef dinner,” “beef entrée,” or “beef platter” necessitate only a minimum of 10 percent beef content. “With beef” requires at least 3 percent beef content, and “beef flavor” implies the addition of beef in minimal amounts (less than 3 percent) for taste. The same rule applies to other ingredients such as “chicken.”
Ingredients
The quality and origin of ingredients cannot be determined from the ingredient list on dog food labels. To create more balanced distribution, some manufacturers separate different types of corn, such as flaked, ground, or kibbled corn, and list them separately, resulting in a lower ranking of corn in the ingredients list. Meat is another complex ingredient because whole meats contain a significant amount of water weight, so the actual meat content is lower than it appears. In contrast, meat meal, although sounding less desirable, has a higher meat content than whole meats since there is no water weight to affect the evaluation.
Although the list of ingredients may not indicate the caliber of the components, it does reveal the contents of the edibles. This is of particular significance for canines requiring distinct dietary prerequisites or having allergies, it is also advantageous for owners seeking to provide their dogs with particular fiber, protein, and carbohydrate sources.
Choosing the Best Dog Food
You are in charge of deciding what dog food is the best fit for your pet. Since you spend the most time with your dog, it is your responsibility to determine their well-being. If your dog’s stool is healthy and consistent, their appetite is good, and they are thriving in terms of energy and fitness, it is likely that their current diet is sufficient.
During this process, your veterinarian can be a great asset to you. They possess extensive knowledge about pet nutrition and have access to research and resources which are not available to pet owners. Your vet can assist you in filtering your choices and will be eager to resolve any query that you may have regarding your dog’s food.
