Two physical exams per year for older dogs

At around 8 years old (which is relatively young for all large breeds), your dog’s health and nutrition needs every 4 to 6 Perform fine-tuning once a month. In older pets, it is important to check weight, muscle tone, joint mobility, diet, supplementation regimen, and exercise habits at least biannually.

An in-depth examination of your pet's body can help you detect changes in your dog's health early so that treatment, including appropriate lifestyle changes, can begin immediately. Routine examinations allow your veterinarian to see changes in the previous physical examination report and this current physical examination report, so as to better solve the problem.

Ask your veterinarian to perform blood tests to check the health of your pet's internal organs to ensure you catch possible problems early. There is also a blood test you may want to consider that measures inflammatory fat.

Take steps to keep your dog physically comfortable

If your dog seems unwell, it is important not to assume that the discomfort is due to age. You want to make sure she's not in pain, so a trip to the vet is normal. In most cases, the earlier a health problem is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight and physically active can help manage arthritis and degenerative joint disease. Massage therapy, swimming exercises, and acupuncture can also have huge benefits for dogs later in life.

Supplement (health product) mix

There are many nutritional supplements that can be added to your dog’s diet to help maintain a healthy body, such as:

1. Glucosamine sulfate, MSM and eggshell

2. Omega-3 fats (fish oil and krill oil are both available)

3. Coenzyme q10

4. Super green foods such as spirulina and astaxanthin

5. Natural anti-inflammatory formula (herbs, proteolytic enzymes and nutrients)

6. Mushroom essence (immunity must be paid attention to in old age)

Tip: Supplements should be adjusted and matched according to age and current condition, do not supplement blindly!

Also, talk to your veterinarian about Adequan injections, which can quickly stimulate joint fluid in pets with arthritis. Regular massage can help keep your older dog's muscles strong and reduce the sagging that occurs with age. The massaged muscles are looser, which makes it easier for your pet to move comfortably.

Massage can also promote blood circulation, promote lymphatic drainage and reduce joint stiffness. If your dog has hearing or vision issues, use safe, nontoxic scent cues, such as essential oils, to help him find his way. You can consider purchasing a car-specific dog seat to make them more comfortable while riding in the car.

Feed high quality eggsWhite Food (Diet)

Contrary to what many pet parents and even veterinarians believe, older pets need more protein than younger pets, and quality is what matters most. The more digestible and absorbable the protein is and the higher the water content of the food, the easier it is for aging organs to digest.

Most of the healthiest foods for pets, regardless of age, are the same, unprocessed, and natural - and this includes animal meats, which should be the foundation of your healthy dog ​​diet. Foods that are not dehydrated or processed are the most easily absorbed by the body.

Regardless of your dog's age and weight I recommend that you avoid commercial pet foods that contain a high percentage of fiber. The presence of fiber in commercial pet foods represents a healthy additive to consumers, much like fiber added to human food. But the fiber in commercial dog foods is often just a cheap filler ingredient.

Make sure your dog gets exercise every day

Older people and even older dogs still need daily exercise to maintain good health and a resilient physique. While older dogs can't exercise or compete as well as younger dogs, they still need regular walks and other age-appropriate physical activity. There are three types of intensive training that can also be of great help to aging dogs:

1. Passive movement (PROM) exercises are beneficial for both incapacitated and healthy pets.

2. Balance and proprioception (spatial orientation and movement) exercises help older pets stay flexible while also encouraging improved balance and physical stability

3. Targeted strengthening exercises are designed to exercise the large muscle groups that help with standing, walking and running (muscle training)

Provide your dog with opportunities for socialization and mental stimulation