Question:
Hmm, I hate to admit it but my Tazie is getting pretty old, 11 years. He is still energetic and mobile, just not as much as before. He sleeps a lot and just likes to hang out.

What are some considerations for older dogs? We already have him on a senior food. He gets glucosamine every day, and he basically gets whatever he wants. Is there anything else we can do to make his life more comfortable as he gets older?


Answer:
Make sure that he has a bed made out of gold, buy him the softest mattress to go on this bed, and a collar with exactly 987 diamonds and he should be very happy

It sounds like you are doing a great job. I can't think of anything else he would need.


Answer:
Candice being an owner of 3 older dogs at the moment and losing a 16.5 yr old Golden this spring I think you are on top of things. The only thing other than what you are doing that I added to my dogs routine is leg massages. And on really damp days I will sometime put a heating pad (low setting) covered with towel under my older Boxer as she get kinda gimpy. She just melts when I do this. But I only do this when I am home as I am a bit afraid of electrical things like this when I am not. I have also been giving her Deramax, an antiinflamatory when needed as it works real fast. Best Wishes to Tazie and hoping for more heathy yrs for him. Brenda

PS: My dogs are 10 yr old Moose of a Pug, 9 and 7 yr old Boxer's.


Answer:
Thanks, Brenda. We are also hoping for many more years out of Taz...it's just so hard to watch them age.
I am very sorry to hear about your golden passing. Taz is also a golden...they are wonderful dogs. It sounds like your pooch had a long and happy life.
The leg massages are definitely something I can try. I give Taz massages every now and then but never on his legs. I will also try the heating pad. Thanks!
Our vet gave us an anti-inflamatory for Taz's arthitis called Tolfedine. He has only taken it a few times when he really needed it. Since we have put him on the glucosamine, he's been so much better as far as mobility.



Answer:
Great suggestions Brenda! My brother has a 12 yr old Boxer who is getting stiff lately.. she's on glucosamine already so I'll pass on the other ideas to them.


Answer:
I wish I had more suggestions. But my sheltie is only 5 and my pomeranian is 1 year. So I don't have much experience with older dogs. Well, I do walk 16 and a 12 year old shelties. All I know is that they get really good food that costs $64 for 20 pounds and they are taking glucosamine. I think she also has a heating pad.


Answer:
I have a 12 year old Corgi and a 12 year old Dobie. I give them both Cosequin. I also give Metacam as needed or about 3 to 4 times a week. The Metacam has been amazing for my dobie. She has arthritis in her spine and hips but most days you would never know it. Stairs are the hardest for her on bad days. I'm tempted to replace our outside steps with a ramp.


Answer:
Where do you get this glucosamine stuff?? My moms pom is getting old (12) and id like to help her out a bit. Shes my childhood puppers and i love her alot, so anything to make her a bit more healthier and comfy..thanks!


Answer:
I use human glucosamine pills by Weber Natural. They are available in most drug stores.
http://www.wnpharmaceuticals.com/pro...&id=539&cat=53

I use the human dose per pound and scale it down for my 80 lb. dog. He ends up getting one pill per day disolved in his food.


Answer:
Speaking of older dogs, I was shopping around for new foods for Lavander at a pet store and the sales assistant asked me how old she was and I said 7ish and she mentioned that Lavander should be on senior dog food?!? I read that JRTs can live up to 15 years so she's middle-aged right now. So when does a dog become a senior (I know that this probably varies in different breeds, from what I've read it seems that smaller dogs live longer than bigger ones in general) and when should the supplementation start?