Although nobody wishes to contemplate their dog aging, it is an unavoidable aspect of existence.
Eventually, all dogs will be regarded as seniors.
As people age, they tend to experience more health issues, limited range of motion, and dental ailments.
Eventually, a chronic condition will develop in most elderly dogs, causing them to exhibit less playfulness and activity compared to their younger selves.
There are several actions you can take to make your dog’s transition into their senior years more manageable.
To ensure your dog’s last years are enjoyable, it’s important to maintain their exercise routine, provide them with proper nutrition, and be vigilant for any health issues.
We have compiled all the relevant information you may require to ensure optimal health for your German Shepherd as they grow older.
When is a German Shepherd officially elderly?
The classification of a dog as “elderly” cannot be determined by a specific age as it varies significantly based on factors such as genetics, diet, exercise habits, and general well-being.
Some dogs may exhibit behaviors that suggest they are older than their actual age if they suffer from numerous health issues, whereas some dogs can continue to behave like young pups even in their later years.
According to the UC Davis Book of Dogs, dogs are typically categorized as senior at approximately eight years old, but the individual aging process may vary significantly.
When determining whether your dog is classified as a senior, it is suggested that you consider factors such as age, behavior, and physical appearance.
How to tell if your dog is elderly
The notion that greying of a dog’s hair and muzzle is a reliable sign of aging is actually inaccurate.
The genetic makeup of a German Shepherd plays a significant role in the greying of their hair, similar to many other dogs.
The greying of your German Shepherd’s coat may start as early as three years old or as late as 15 years old.
Whether or not your dog is elderly cannot be accurately determined by it.
Nonetheless, there exist alternative indicators to determine if your German Shepherd, or any other canine, is aged.
One can spot that their German Shepherd is no longer as lively and dynamic as they used to be as a good indication.
Preferring a leisurely stroll over running or brisk walking, and opting to relax at home instead of engaging in play.
A common sign is when there is difficulty in standing up or lying down due to stiffness and slow movement.
Your dog may be entering old age if you notice hazing or cloudiness in their eyes.
Health issues
As dogs grow older, they may display signs of aging like arthritis and dementia.
Your dog may show signs of aging as a result of developing these diseases or disorders, which can be taxing on them.
If your dog experiences these conditions at a younger age, they may exhibit signs of old age earlier than other dogs.
Consider scheduling a regular veterinary check-up for your German Shepherd if you suspect they are entering their senior years to rule out any prevalent age-related illnesses.
Caring for an old German Shepherd
It’s important to make changes to your dog’s care routine once you start noticing signs of aging. Elderly dogs require specific care different from that of puppies or adult dogs.
Make sure to take your dog to the veterinarian for regular checkups.
Dogs that are in their prime are less prone to developing disorders than their elderly counterparts.
If identified early, numerous disorders including arthritis can be easily managed. For instance, the advancement of arthritis can be decelerated considerably when detected at an early stage.
It is important to primarily care for your dog’s hips and elbows.
The elderly German Shepherd is commonly affected by arthritis, which may cause some of them to completely lose mobility in their hind legs.
Dental health
If you haven’t already, it’s recommended that you start taking care of your pet’s dental hygiene.
The prevalence of dental ailments in aged dogs can adversely affect their overall well-being.
If your dog experiences dental discomfort, he will often lose his appetite and stop eating.
Becoming underweight can have a significant impact on their health due to this setback.
The health of numerous dogs deteriorates once they experience dental issues.
In this situation, the most effective remedy is prevention. Regularly cleaning your dog’s teeth and utilizing a plaque-preventing breath spray can greatly assist in this effort.
At times, it may be imperative to have your pet undergo professional cleanings at the veterinarian’s clinic.
Due to the fact that anesthesia can cause negative reactions in elderly dogs, cleanings are typically minimized.
Nevertheless, the most knowledgeable individual regarding your pet’s specific circumstance is your veterinarian, and they can guide you in determining the optimal approach.
Exercise
Encouraging senior dogs to get the exercise they require is critical, despite their tendency to slow down.
Health issues are more likely to occur in dogs that don’t engage in physical activity.
For the majority of German Shepherds, a quick stroll around the neighborhood should suffice.
It is advisable to consult with your veterinarian regarding the impact of your dog’s health issues on their exercise requirements.
Toys & training
As dogs age, toys can prove to be especially beneficial for them.
Frequently, dogs require additional motivation to engage in physical activity during this stage of their life.
In this regard, the appropriate toys can function properly.
Puzzle toys can help keep the mind of the German Shepherd engaged due to their high level of intelligence.
By playing with these toys, your dog’s mental and physical health can be enhanced.
Acquiring new skills and knowledge can also contribute to this matter. One can always learn new things no matter how old they are.
Special accommodations
As your dog gets older, it will be important to make adjustments to meet its requirements.
Having hip problems is common among numerous elder German Shepherds, therefore, ramps and dog stairs serve as very useful aids.
A raised food bowl may also be beneficial for a dog that experiences joint issues.
It is important to give special consideration to your dog’s resting place.
Giving your dog a plush and comforting bed can assist them in achieving relaxation and avoid feeling discomfort in their joints.
Considering purchasing some carpets would be a wise decision for those who own hardwood flooring.
Older dogs often struggle to move around on hardwood floors due to their slippery surface. The use of mats and towels can provide them with the necessary grip to walk without slipping.
BONUS: How to Choose the Best Dog Food
If the world were perfect, every dog food would have the same quality. However, dog proprietors have to deal with a plethora of choices, all boasting to be the finest in the market. Searching for a dog food brand that your pet likes and is budget-friendly while being healthy is usually a vexing task. To simplify your options, we have gathered professional recommendations.
What Makes a Dog Food “Good”?
Dry kibble or canned wet food is the typical diet for dogs. While they may not interest humans, these processed foods offer the necessary nutrients for dogs to maintain their health. Veterinary specialists have subjected the best commercial dog foods to strict regulations and testing. Therefore, what ingredients comprise these dog foods?
Contrary to cats, dogs are not exclusively carnivorous. Although meat is their primary food, domesticated dogs are able to obtain essential nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. These non-meat sources are not just additives, but a beneficial inclusion of crucial vitamins, minerals, and fiber. An ideal dog food should incorporate meat, grains, vegetables, and fruits. The most exceptional dog foods comprise top-grade components that are suitable for your dog’s digestive system.
Dog Food Nutrition
To ensure your dog’s health, the ideal food should cater to its nutritional requirements. Although commercial dog food brands usually have the necessary nutrients that dogs need, it’s crucial to note that each dog may have different nutritional needs.
Throughout their lifespan, dogs need various nutrients in varying amounts. To meet the unique nutritional needs of puppies and adult dogs, it is recommended to opt for “all life stages” food or a puppy formula for younger dogs. In case you’re uncertain about the dissimilarities in nutritional requirements between puppies and adult dogs, you can check out the Merck Veterinary Manual, which enumerates the suggested amounts of nutrients for dogs categorized by age and weight. It’s important to note that small breed dogs and puppies, as well as large breed dogs and puppies require varied nutritional needs.
Dog Food Myths and Misinformation
On the internet, you can find a lot of false beliefs and untrue information about dog nutrition. To navigate this, you only need to do one thing: verify your sources. People who mean well may state things about dog nutrition, but they do not have scientific proof to back them up. Therefore, while researching, always ensure that the information you come across has support from reputable sources such as scientific studies, canine nutritionists, or veterinarians. Additionally, it would be wise to be doubtful since anything that seems too good to be true likely is.
There are frequent queries about different kinds of dog food, such as grain-inclusive or grain-free dog food, pea-free dog food, and dog food that includes animal byproducts. If your dog has a grain allergy, you may want to opt for a grain-free diet with the help of your veterinarian. However, most dogs can benefit from the nutrients found in grains and quality animal byproducts, such as organ meats and entrails, which are often more nutrient-rich than the muscle meat that humans eat. It’s important to note that regulated byproducts do not consist of hooves, hair, floor sweepings, intestinal contents, or manure. If you have any concerns about your dog’s food, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your vet, as with any pet-related issues.
How to Read a Dog Food Label
Decoding whether dog food is good or bad can be achieved by scrutinizing the label. This can be challenging due to the small font and the inconvenience of managing large bags of dog food while shopping. Moreover, the labels may not be completely reliable, as the Merck Veterinary Manual points out. The FDA mandates that dog food labels disclose eight critical details, and state-specific labeling mandates may also be applicable.
- 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
Simply reading the product name provides information on the contents of the container. For instance, if the name includes “beef,” it must compose of minimum 70 percent of the product. However, if the product name is “beef dinner,” “beef entrée,” or “beef platter,” the quantity of beef required drops to a minimum of 10 percent. “With beef” only mandates 3 percent beef content, while “beef flavor” suggests that the product has less than 3 percent of beef to provide flavor. The same principle applies to other named ingredients such as “chicken.”
Ingredients
The quality and origin of the ingredients used in dog food cannot be determined from the ingredient list, as some manufacturers may divide ingredients into smaller categories to even out distribution. This can result in corn appearing lower on the list even if it is a major ingredient. Meat is also a complicated ingredient, as whole meats contain a significant amount of water weight, causing the final percentage of meat to be lower after processing than its initial appearance. Meat meal, on the other hand, may sound less appetizing, but it actually contains more meat than whole meats because there is no water weight to affect the calculations.
The list of ingredients provides information on the contents of dog food, though not necessarily on the quality of such ingredients. This is vital for dogs with specific dietary requirements or allergies, as well as for owners who would like to provide their pets with particular forms of protein, fiber, or carbohydrates.
Choosing the Best Dog Food
You, as the owner, have the ultimate responsibility of determining the best type of dog food for your pet. Since you are the one who interacts with your dog on a regular basis, you can assess whether or not the food they are consuming is appropriate based on their bowel movements, activity level, fitness, and appetite. If these factors suggest your dog is in good health, it is safe to assume that their current food is satisfactory.
Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dog’s food.
