Young pups are adorable little balls of fur so full of energy that you can never get enough of them. But as they grow older, they become less energetic. With it, your responsibility towards them also increases. Thus, it is crucial to know when they need you.
You need to be aware of the signs of ageing of your dog, so you can keep them in check and ensure they do not get sick. Here are five telltale signs your dog is getting older.
5 Signs Your Dog is Ageing
Loss of Hearing to Some Extent
The first sign of ageing is weak hearing senses. As you watch your dog age, he may develop a more sedate personality. You may notice that he does not seem to hear as well as he used to. Some dogs just do not seem to listen to us anymore. It is especially true of older dogs who have developed health problems that affect their hearing ability.
If your dog has poor hearing, it can also be difficult for him to understand commands like sit or stay when someone calls from a distance.
Dental Disease and Smelly Breath
One of the most obvious signs is smelly breathing and dental disease.
If you notice that your dog has bad breath, it could be because he has had a dental disease for a while. Therefore, you need to be more careful about their regular teeth cleaning routine as they age. Dogs can have bad breath due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If you see this problem developing in your dog, it is time to visit the vet.
Low Metabolism
As a dog ages, it loses muscle mass and becomes more prone to weight gain. It is because their metabolism slows down with age, and they gain weight without any effort on your part. It is one of the most common signs of your dog ageing.
The best way to prevent weight gain from ageing is by ensuring you feed your dog a healthy diet and make them exercise regularly.
Get Out of Breath Often
Older dogs can get out of breath easily if they work for a long time. They feel trouble getting up and down stairs, so they may need short breaks in between to rest. If your dog is getting out of breath quickly, it may mean that he is getting older.
Weak Vision and Cloudy Eyes
When you look into your dog’s eyes, you will notice that there are times when they seem to be cloudy. It is natural for his eyes to lose their lustre, which makes them look tired or sleepy. Also, as your dog gets older, his vision does not remain as good as it used to be.
If your dog is having trouble seeing, don’t ignore the problem. Get him checked by a veterinarian to ensure he doesn’t have any underlying issues causing his diminished eyesight.
It is better to leash or collar your old, innocent dog, so he does not get into trouble because of its poor eyesight or other ageing issues. Get the best collar and leash for your beloved dog from Bully Billows and keep him safe and happy in his old age too.
