Spring 2017 Saber Tails 33
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
thing they can nestle into and where they can have a built
in pillow. We also have raised beds our dogs absolutely
love. But arthritis has afflicted our oldest and at the end
of an active day, she has trouble throwing her leg up over
the wall. Putting down some flat Temper-Pedic-style beds
has allowed the dogs to have options to fit their different
daily comfort needs.
S
lippery floors can be tough for older dogs to navigate
as they begin to experience stiffness. If you have tile
or hard wood floors, you might consider adding area rugs
or runners in areas frequently navigated by your older
dog. If you have slippery floors, you need to be especially
vigilant with keeping toe nails trimmed as long toe nails
exacerbate any traction issues your dog might already be
having.
A
s your dog continues to age, eyesight changes are
also common. Dogs who know the layout of their
homes well can hide eyesight issues for a long time. If you
move any furniture, watch your dog carefully the first few
days to see if they are having any difficulties navigating
the new configuration in their living space. While normal
as part of the aging process, changes in eyesight should
be discussed with your vet. Eyesight changes can lead
your pup to experience more fear and timidity, especially
in unfamiliar places.
H
ome accessibility is imperative because older dogs
can be injured much more easily than flexible, mus-
cular, active young dogs. Slips on the floor or an awkward
landing coming off the couch can lead to painful leg and
back injuries.
A
nother place where injuries can easily occur are in the
car. Jumping in and out of the car can be even more
awkward that jumping off items in the house. It’s also
best to buckle up your dog while traveling by car of have
him in a crate. We’ve all experienced the sudden stopping
situation in traffic where our dog flies forward onto the
floor board. This could be very dangerous for our older
companions.
Exercise
Y
our older Peeb has most likely slowed down a bit, but
will still need and appreciate regular exercise. Mod-
eration is key, but exercise will help keep your dog’s appe-
tite stimulated, will help keep muscles and bones strong
and gives your dog something to look forward to. Most
older dogs will be more appreciative of time to sniff in-
stead of straining at the end of the leash. If you do have
an old speed demon, it’s important that you control the
tempo. Don’t let your older dog go too fast or too slow.
They can overdo it easily in their enthusiasm
Temperature Control
D
ogs become more sensitive to temperature swings as
they age. They will appreciate a warm, dry place to
snuggle up when the temperature plummets
in the winter and might find it more difficult
to stay cool in the summer. Older dogs (like
older people have a more difficult time regu-
lating their temperature).
Grooming
K
eep it simple and quick! Sacrilegious as
it may be, I shave my two oldest girls.
They hate being on the grooming table. They hate be-
ing brushed, combed, de-tangled, having their toe nails
trimmed. My oldest has always hated being groomed
and has battled me from day one. It’s no surprise that she
despises it even more now that she has arthritis. Cricket
was a dream on the table as a young dog. But over the last
couple of years, she has started fussing anytime we hit a
tiny mat that needs to be pulled. Has she become more
sensitive to pain in her advanced years or simply less tol-
erant. No way to know for sure, but she’s given us three
litters and 18 babies. If she doesn’t want to be groomed
any longer…she won’t be.
H
owever you do your grooming, it remains a very im-
portant activity for your aging dog. Grooming pro-
vides private time when you can
assess the general health of your
old friend. This is your opportu-
nity to check for unexpected wear
and tear, find signs of a problem
before it advances too far and be-
come familiar with the stages of
aging so you will be able to recog-
nize changes when they are occurring.
B
rush teeth every month to check for signs of decay.
Watch for signs that your dog’s mouth is beginning to
be painful. If your older dog stops wanting to eat kibble
or crunchy treats but will eat soft food, there might be a
problem with his mouth or teeth. Give your dog things
to chew on such as Greenies, Hooves, Antlers and Bully
Sticks which will help naturally keep plaque and tartar
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