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Domestic and foreign experts have always held different opinions on "how to define the category of elderly dogs." Here we analyze based on the views of Professor Michel, President of the Royal Veterinary College of the United Kingdom, as evidence. Professor Michel pointed out through a series of surveys:

The total average lifespan of all types of dogs in the UK is 11 years and 1 month, and those dogs that die entirely due to aging and under the influence of normal factors can live an average of 12 years and 8 months, and dogs that can live to more than 15 years Only 8%.

From this, Professor Michel determined that dogs mature the fastest in the first year of life, and one year is equivalent to 21 human years; in the following years, the growth of dogs will slow down significantly, and with each passing year, the dog matures or ages. The degree is only approximately equivalent to 4 human years.

Finally, it is concluded that "the physical maturity of an 8-year-old dog is roughly equivalent to that of a human at 49 years old." The calculation method is: 21+ 7×4 = 49. Therefore, we can define that dogs over 8 years old begin to enter old age.

1

Signs of aging

Functional Aging: Weak eyesight puts you at risk of eye diseases. Common diseases include: cataracts; odor in the mouth, prone to gum disease; slow eating, anorexia, and picky eaters;

Coat condition: As dogs age, their absorption and digestive systems are not as good as before, their metabolism is reduced, and their coats are not supplied with nutrients, so their coats will be dull, dry, rough, hairless, and have loose skin. , no elasticity;

Mobility: The amount of exercise is significantly reduced, stumbling when walking, slow reaction, listlessness, weakness of limbs, muscle atrophy, unwillingness to move, poor sleep quality, sometimes waking up suddenly, barking for no reason, showing restlessness emotions;

Defection status: Prone to constipation, incontinence and other conditions, and prone to urinary tract diseases such as urethritis and urology;

Internal Diseases:Reduced immunity makes dogs susceptible to various diseases during this period, including cancer, liver and kidney failure, etc. If there are wounds, they are easily infected by bacteria, accompanied by uneven breathing, difficulty breathing, abnormal heartbeat, Cough and other conditions.

2

Common diseases

Heart disease: Heart disease is a disease that elderly dogs are susceptible to. As the body functions age, the energy output of the heart for blood will also decrease, and the circulation will not be smooth, which will easily allow water to accumulate in the abdomen and limbs. There are signs of edema and puffiness, which is also closely related to the dog’s lack of exercise and unbalanced diet;

The lungs, as an important organ for transporting gas in the body, will also be affected, causing water accumulation in the lungs. The difficulty breathing and uneven panting shown by dogs are all caused by this;

Diabetes: The function of the pancreas weakens, and a series of symptoms such as frequent urination and urgency, increased water intake, and weight loss occur. Especially for dogs with obesity, their weight will decrease significantly. These are all due to insulin. Symptoms of diabetes caused by reduced secretion and increased glucagon;

Cataracts: If a dog suffers from cataracts, the pupils will be cloudy, mostly milky or white turbidity, and the deep part of the eyes will be blue. They will be afraid of direct sunlight and may feel pain. In severe cases, they will deteriorate into grapevine. inflammation.

Chronic nephritis: Mainly caused by bacterial infection, which causes the kidneys to be unable to fully perform their detoxification function, allowing too many harmful substances to accumulate in the body. Over time, it will cause dry mouth, loss of appetite, and hair loss in dogs. Symptoms such as shedding and frequent urination.

3

Feeding and Care

Regular check-ups: As dogs age, owners should regularly measure them and check their bodies, including teeth, coat, defecation, etc.;

Keep moving: Dogs during this period cannot lack exercise, but strenuous exercise is not recommended, especially for dogs with heart disease. Owners can use a variety of toys to interact with their dogs; when the weather is bad, , don’t let them move outdoors;

Traveling:Due to visual and hearing impairments in elderly dogs, they are not allowed to go out for walks on their own;

Small and frequent meals: Considering that all functions of elderly dogs have deteriorated, especially the bite force and tooth loss are more serious, foods with high calories and high cholesterol should not be included in their recipes. , it is best to feed food that is easy to digest, easy to chew, and nutritionally balanced,

You can consult your veterinarian to take appropriate amounts of health food to enhance immune function. In addition, dogs should not eat too much at each meal. It is best to eat small amounts frequently. You can also choose to feed senior dog food that has passed the quality inspection;

Routine of work and rest: Due to the poor adaptability of older dogs, it is best for owners to maintain their dogs’ original living conditions, feed them at regular intervals, and create a quiet and comfortable environment for their dogs to ensure their rest. Quality;

Maintain hygiene: Older dogs have poor ability to take care of themselves, and their owners need to be patient and clean their bodies and living environment regularly;

Regular companionship: Dogs in this period are very sensitive psychologically. They are inattentive to many things and are prone to uneasiness. They need regular companionship and chatting with their owners (do not hit or scold them) to eliminate their negative emotions. Emotions, this can also effectively prevent their dementia;

Pay attention to deworming: Whether it is a dog or a cat, it is easy to be infected with parasites due to their body structure. Therefore, owners must not be careless when it comes to deworming.