Grey Matters

There are many gentle therapies we can provide to senior dogs to make them more comfortable, strengthen weak limbs, and help guide the process of aging instead of reacting to it. A well-intentioned touch goes a long way towards creating comfort and vitality. With a bit of navigation, you can use these simple acupressure and neuro-lymphatic techniques to enrich your old dogs’ lives and your own as you gently create harmony in their aging bodies.

PEOPLE magazine took notice of senior beagle Wolfgang's journey from obesity to 5K ready, and so did we! Phoenix couple Erin McManis and Chad Schatz are passionate about helping dogs live their best, healthiest lives. In this blog, Erin shares the remarkable story of how they helped Wolfgang, and other dogs in need of major weight loss, reach their goals and become happier, healthier companions.   

From a three-legged Doberman to a visually-impaired pug, Jody Waters always opened her heart and home to the underdog—those who were neglected, abused or simply unwanted. She dreamed of someday buying property and opening a sanctuary for dogs who needed a safe place to call home.

Head-to-Tail, Snout-to-Tail, Wag-to-Woof, or by any other name, performing an at-home exam of your dog or cat weekly to catch problems early on is a MUST! Our dogs don't always tell us when something is wrong, so detecting a problem at onset and getting medical intervention may ensure your best friend gets to spend more days by your side! Doing home exams also gets your senior pooch comfortable with the human touch, making for a much better patient at the vet and grooming shop when you get him used to being touched all over.

When dogs enter their twilight years, they may have some difficulty adjusting to age-related limitations. As pet owners, it’s up to us to help them adjust. One of the easiest ways to do this is to revamp your backyard into a senior-friendly area.

Life with a senior dog is different than one with a puppy, but that doesn’t mean our hearts aren’t just as full. Older dogs are every bit as capable of bonding and providing unconditional love as younger pups. Read on for a few ways to bond with your dog that are suitable for senior dogs regardless of their energy level.

In part two of this blog series, we’ll provide a follow up to the overview of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), including prognosis, treatment and management of and management tips. For more information on symptoms and diagnosis, read Part 1 of our CCD blog series.

In part one of this blog series, we’ll provide an overview of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), including definition, symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis. This information was provided by Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice as part of their educational pet disease series and has been republished with permission. 

Dr. Kipp Chapman, DVM, of Philadelphia Animal Hospital has been in veterinary practice and surgery for 20 years. We spoke with Dr. Chapman to get the 411 on questions veterinarians get asked most regarding nutrition.

When it comes to keeping your pet healthy, one of the questions veterinarians get asked most is, “What should I feed my dog?”

The age your dog becomes a “senior” depends on how big your four-legged friend is. Smaller dogs are considered seniors when they’re about 11, while larger-sized pups reach senior status by the time they’re 8.