Vets are like doctors...they treat symptoms of poor diets instead of knowing what's good for dogs and cats to eat. They medicate them or euthanize them because they get sick from bad food. The pet food industry is the worse! Dogs are carnivores....look at their teeth. They do not chew grains, potatoes, peas, legumes, and fruits. My dogs are given ONLY meat, fat, and bones to eat and they live for 26 years with no health issues. They die of old age in their sleep. I had a Great Pyrenees that died at 14...and fathered a litter at 13 yrs. Meat, fat, and bones. NO Purina, Taste of the Wild, Dr. Marty's and all those other kibbles that make dogs sick. It's so sad that we think euthanizing is "kind" when we cruelly give them inappropriate food to eat all their lives.
Our dog was diagnosed with late stage mast cell cancer 4 1/2 years ago and given 4-8 weeks to live. Online I read about a regimen that reduced histamines that feed the cancer so I began that I have been giving him a combo of cimetidine (tagamet) ($5 a bottle at Walmart) and Benadryl (500 pills for $5 at Costco/Sam's Club/BJ's)
I began giving him 2 of each two times a day, now 4 1/2 years later he's up to 5 of each twice a day. He's an American Bulldog and turned 14 years old in September. He is doing fine, amazingly!
3
My chihuahua developed kidney failure and vet said she was not going to make it and pick a date for her to be euthanized.
Fortunately I did some research and did a phone consult with Smith Ridge (sent her labs etc) and the vet there suggested she would have a chance with a treatment they use with Vit C drip. We went to the effort to drive her there and left her in their care for a few days and she did recover completely. Labs were normal for several years. I also did not follow the silly idea of removing the animal from protein diet. Animals who suffer from the kidney issue are usually Anorexic also. You should find a food they love and keep them eating. We did turn to the raw food and she thrived for 4 years. Eventually I had to give her saline every day and she passed at a decent old age. I miss her. She was a trooper.
4
Havanese are such a joyful breed - that is to say they're full of joie de vivre and bring immense joy and laughter to their lucky human's life. As a Havi owner, I know! But I have a hard time believing a 17 pound Havi isn't overweight - or a purebred. We have a 2 year old male who weighs 12 pounds of pure muscle and is extra long and tall - outranking and outrunning all the other Havis at the dog park. American Kennel Club says Havanese should hit a max of 13 pounds by adulthood. Perhaps there's another breed in the author's dog that accounts for the extra size. Either way, may Max-II live long and prosper!
1
Why do people only feed their so-beloved-they-are-part-of-the-family pets dry food? How is that healthy? raw chicken necks are great for dogs and it means you don't have to faff about trying to clean their teeth either. The process of eating and crunching soft bones gets the job done.
4
@Alice
My 30 lb mixed breed lived to be 18 1/2 on Purina. She was old enough to vote. I last took her cross country skiing at 14 years. She had some limping at about 15, but brewers yeast took care of that, why I do not know.
I have a 15 year old blue heeler/ mutt mix who despite having a large lipoma , is a bit arthritic and has a grey face, acts very much like a pup at times. I learned early from a trainer that 1 cup of food in the a.m. and 1 in the evenings was all he needed- and he’s kept a slim figure his entire life. My vet insisted that i should keep his food bowl full at all times... advice i didn’t follow. Still here at 15+ - i think i made the right choice!
2
This bloomberg article reveals a lot about the pet industry: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-01-05/when-big-business-happens-to-your-pet
I've had 3 beautiful dogs and was very lucky to have had 2 of them for 16 yrs and one for 15 yrs (poodle, bichon, westie). They were all amazing and I miss them....
2
Triple buffered aspirin is very effective for arthritic joint as our 14 year white GSD could tell you. And it is much less expensive than the fancy stuff. We learned this from a Cornell Veterinary school orthopedic vet years ago.
8
But no aspirin for cats, please; it's toxic.
3
What is shortening the lives of our companion animals other than breeding to conform to ridiculous idealized standards is— simply, commercial dog food.
Make no mistake about it, commercial dog food is the answer to industrialized agriculture’s waste problem.
The majority of what’s on the shelf including so called “premium dog food” is made of meat by-products. In other words: diseased, dying, down or dead animals. That’s the USDA’s classification, not mine. And, that’s only the beginning.
Our dogs can barely “eke out a living” from what’s in their bowls because what’s in them is entirely devoid of any meaningful nutritional value.
At the turn of the century, before the advent of processed dog food the average large breed dog lived to the ripe old age of 18. Since then, longevity rates have plummeted with the stratospheric rise of “lifestyle” related diseases.
You want to build a better dog? Start by feeding it a home cooked or raw diet from your kitchen and supplement it with appropriate raw bones to chew on.
Forty years ago, when I got started there was little or no guidance for those of us who were interested in taking the road less traveled.
Good news, we’ve beaten the path for you. There’s an abundance of great information out there.
My beloved Baloo, a 16 year old, Curly Coated, Retriever took an early morning jog with me, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, then spread out on the couch and never woke up.
I only wish the same for myself.
30
True. My cousin fed her Siamese cat only home-cooked meals, and she lived to 22 years old. Most of my kibble and canned food-fed cats die by the age of 15 1/2, except for one, who got to almost 18.
No doubt what's in commercial pet food is garbage -- but we live in an age when people hardly ever cook for their own children.
6
@JPhinnaeus, there is nothing universally wrong with commercial food. It’s BAD commercial food that is the problem. Know the difference. Know what to look for. Know how to read a label.
If it pleases you to cook for your animals, that works for you. A veterinarian told me that raw diet (the so-called BARF diet...aptly named) is the worst thing you can feed your dog. That came from a UC Davis trained vet, who had seen the complications of that diet in his practice.
If you eat meat yourself, you are eating animals who ate commercial feed. Chew on that for a bit.
8
@Passion for Peaches
Veterinarians are as woefully inadequately trained as human doctors are when it comes to nutrition.
“Veterinarian Approved” is nothing more than cold, hard and calculating marketing.
No more, no less than doctors who appeared in cigarette ads not that long ago.
Common sense, rules. Even if there was any thing substantive in that bag or can that sits on that shelf for eternity— what possible nutritive value is left of it.
You and I wouldn’t survive on that either. As a matter of fact, we aren’t.
That was told to me by one of the leading vets in the country, a Cornell Veterinary Graduate, Ranked No. 1 in his class.
And, lastly I don’t eat animals raised in concentrated feed lots for that same reason among others.
#plantpowered.
3
The veterinarian I've been seeing for decades has added acupuncture and the use of Chinese herbs to his practice over the past several years. And for many years before that, he would give one of our Yorkies chiropractic treatment, which greatly improved the quality of the dog's life. I was skeptical about all of these at the beginning, but I'm not anymore.
11
I just bought a new condo; the main reason is that it has a back yard (my 3-year-old Pit-mix is a little too hyper for the dog park--she loves to run like a lunatic and get the other dogs going too, and other owners seem to object...I consider the parks not particularly safe for dogs anyway, especially since one was killed last year here). Today she explored her new yard and freedom for the first time...she was in paradise! I used to try to take her running with me, but she's a little skittish and I'd prefer not to trip over her onto the sidewalk. She is just about the perfect weight--one thing about having a dog is that the owner can control portions--and I plan to keep her (and myself) that way.
I do agree with another commenter that there's a lot of bizarre snobbery about dog food and other things these days (not to mention things like the silly notion that you should not use the word "no" to a dog!). Every time I take my dog to a vet, he or she remarks how healthy her skin and coat and teeth are, etc. People ask me what I feed her because her coat is so shiny and she's well-muscled. When I answer that I feed her Iams (gasp!) kibble with a few spoonfuls of Purina (bigger gasp!) Beyond canned food mixed in, they're amazed. And she does her happy "kibble dance" every time I start to put it in her bowl. She loves it! (She does get treats like Milk Bones and occasional tastes of "people food" too.) Of course, she also was a connoisseur of lizard- and frog road-kill in FL...
4
@NGB, have you taken the time to read the ingredient list for Iams adult dog kibble?
This is what you are paying for:
Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source of Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine), Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed, Caramel Color...
The first ingredient is mostly water. You always want to see meat meal as the first ingredient in kibble. Then you have three different grains. Your dog is not a cow or a pig. Then chicken by product, which is the guts and feathers and bones and other waste from slaughtered chickens — no nutrition there. And it’s disgusting. This concoction Iam’s calls kibble provides 353 calories per cup, mostly from carbohydrates (the grain, and the sugar from the beets) and fat. In co trust, the kibble I feed my animals provides about 100 calories more per cup, and most of those calories come from fully digestible animal proteins.
It’s not about “snobbery,” NGB, but being an intelligent consumer. And caring deeply about the health of your animals.
8
@NGB, I hope you are till walking your dog! I agree that dog parks are out of control these days, due to too many human egos and poorly trained dogs. But even if you do not run with your dog or go to the park, you still need to walk her. A backyard is no excuse for not walking a dog.
3
A dog's years are not really equivalent to 7 of man's. That is some made up estimate that doesn't apply. So please don't think "oh, he's 110! Time's up!"
Since you didn't realize feeding him garbage was bad for his health, here's another bit of info. Dogs do not need yearly vaccinations and in fact, most honest vets are aware of that. It is harmful to your pet.
8
Depends on which vaccinations you're talking about. There is a better but more expensive 3-year rabies shot, but people tend to opt for the cheaper yearly one or nothing at all.
I wouldn't let a dog lapse on his rabies vaccine. Not if I liked him. Or wanted to make sure he didn't pick up rabies and bite someone's kid.
I even keep my indoors-only cats up to date on their rabies vaccines. Some things you shouldn't play around with.
To that end, I keep up with my tetanus vaccine because I like gardening.
7
Food production for humans and animals contributes significantly to carbon emissions. It's sad that a significant proportion of food made for humans and animals is thrown away. What would happen to pet food manufacturers profits if humans realized that their pets don't need special food and can eat human food just fine? OK maybe you have a special inbred dog that can only eat food made in a lab, but most dogs can eat human food just fine, plus can eat bones. All my dogs, since I was 6 years old back in Europe have had no problems with bones. Again, what would to Purina dog chow and other brands if people realized this? This topic would be worth further investigation in an article parallel to the NYT article "Myths that even doctors believe" entitled "Myths that even veterinarians believe".
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@Marko
My dog eats only human food, including the bones on chicken and oxtails.
2
Premium kibble...well, whoop-dee-do.
Why do dogs get fed dry food? Because it's convenient for the humans doing the feeding.
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“I admit that 18 years later I still weep recalling how omniscient he seemed on his last day.” They really are our best friends. RIP Snoopy 1984 - 1991
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Sigh. Dogs who become parts of our families and our hearts and invariably real them when they leave us. In May we put down our Chocolate Lab one day after his 14th birthday. For the last two years he suffered from Cushings and was in medication to manage it. The last 6 months he suffered from “fecal incontinence” which is as lovely as you imagine. As a result he had to start sleeping outside in a special house we created for him. Luckily we live in a temperate climate but I felt SO GUILTY leaving him out. A part of me who knew the time was coming wishes he would just go to sleep one day.....but alas no. That last morning he could not get himself up and out of his house, and we knew it was time. My husband had to call the vet and on our way there, we walked our boy around his yard one last time, had him say goodbye to the cats, then had to lift his 105# bulk into the car for the last ride.
Our vet and his staff were unbelievably kind, compassionate, loving, and patient. We were with him every moment and would not allow them to even take him in the back to put in the IV line. We didn’t want him to be alone for a second. It was a peaceful passing and Rocky now “lives” in a cedar box in our living room. I cry as I write this because he was a faithful and wonderful companion his entire life. We owed him a peaceful transition for all the love he brought to our family. This is the third dog I have had to help over the Rainbow Bridge and it doesn’t get easier.
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Very sorry for your loss. Been there
1
I read this article and had to share a product that has helped my Buddy who is a 110 pound Doberman keep going strong as he approaches hit 10th birthday. A little over a year ago he was having trouble standing up and a friend recommended MYOS canine muscle formula. I started using the product and saw immediate results. He currently runs around with COCO a new addition to the family that is only 2. I have recommended it to others with elderly dogs and they have had equally impressive results. I swear by the product. Muscle health is extremely important and Buddy is doing so much better after being on it for over a year. Check it out yourself and see what others have to say. https://www.myospet.com/testimonials If you try it and have the kind of results I have with Buddy make sure to spread the word so others can benefit too.
4
@Tim kindly, what is the dosage? My giant poodle is 66 pounds. The Maltese is a 12 years 12 pounds pet. Thanks.A
As much importance as Americans place on our dogs, it continually confounds me how little research/thought goes into what we are feeding them.
We should press the FDA to pass laws for dog food manufacturers to be transparent on their ingredients. Many supposed “high end” commercial dog foods contain the “4 D’s”; animals put into the food were dead, diseased, decaying or dying.
Anytime I see a fat dog or cat, it annoys me. If I want to eat something I know is a bad meal choice, it’s my decision. Our pets rely on us to research and feed them correct portions. We owe them that.
6
I am a veterinarian that has treated dogs for over 41 years. A big thank you on this story regarding dog health, especially the part about cleaning the teeth. This is crucial, because the bacteria (in the billions in the mouth of a dog that has not had its teeth cleaned or brushes) affect the heart valves, liver, and kidneys. There is so much more to share on this, the web site for my animal hospital (there is nothing to purchase on this page, just detailed information and pictures) has extensive information on dental disease. Here is the link- https://www.lbah.com/canine/dental-disease/
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@Dr. P is dental cleaning as crucial for cats?
Sir, can you please explain to me why a teeth cleaning is nearly $600?
2
@David H, because the animal must be anesthetized for the procedure. Hefty fee for that, fee for monitoring animal while under anesthetic (should be done by veterinary nurse or vet), fee for the time of the tech who does actual cleaning, fee for anesthesia reversal injection if they do that, fee for partial or all day boarding of animal.
1
Same advise applies to our other furry friends, CATs.
6
My husband and I were sitting out this summer, Our 12 year old Bernese-Boxer Stan was chewing his Kong stuffed with yogurt and some treats and fish oil beside us. He was so enjoying himself. We thought, its a shame that often people don't engage often enough with their senior pets. Our dog learned "touch" this year. We have made it our mission that no matter what, he gets new smells, tastes and chews every day. While he's not policing everyone at the dog park like he did in his youth
(We own a dog walking company so he used to work with us everyday) - he is certainly always excited about a walk in a new neighbourhood or his Kong stuffed with something delcious. We also feed him mostly raw food, but cook sometimes, add different things. I mean, I cant imagine eating the same thing everyday and being excited ha!
6
Might anyone possibly know of which enzymatic toothpaste Ms. Brody refers to?
Thanks!
3
@Dinyar Mehta CET Enzymatic toothpaste
1
@Dinyar Mehta, Peteodex is the most common brand, found in most pet supply stores. But there are other choices to be found online or at your vet’s office. A quick search on “dog enzyme toothpaste” will bring them up.
2
My 15 year old Australian Shepherd runs st least once daily, like a crazy girl (off leash). She still will also leap over things in the fly.
That said? Her back end is arthritic. She’s beckme deaf, but knows sign now). She’s a little slower getting up.
At a vet visit 2 days ago, he deemed her “incredibly healthy,” and said my keeping her at the perfect, trim weight has almost everything to do with it. Yes, she gets an expensive organic GOOD food, no table scraps, nothing not made for dogs.
I know my time with her is limited...and I am dreading it. But in the meantime? She’s a happy, healthy girl.
6
@Laurie Ann Lawrence my Aussie lived until she was 15 and a half years old. She began developing cognitive problems at about 15 and it went downhill quickly from there. High quality food, lots of exercise and a very trim figure is what kept her alive so long. Make the best out of her remaining time. It’s agony when they finally leave us. But I cradled my sweet girl in my arms as she left. She meant the world to me.
4
Jane you mention “Pet Smart premium kibble”. Are you aware that the FDA has put out a warning about grain free “boutique” foods with peas, legumes, potatoes leading to Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hundreds and hundreds of deaths in dogs? There are only five companies (Purina, Royal Canin, Iams, Science Diet and Eukanuba ) that do (humane) research and food trials using dogs to make sure the food is safe and healthy. I am guessing your dog that lived such a long healthy life was on Purina Pro Plan not on one of the expensive fancy diets sold at Pet Smart. Look up FDA grainfree dog food warning and DCM. If you are using one of those foods you can save his life by switching to one of the five companies I listed. They have had no cases of DCM. I am on a special FB site for golden retrievers where dogs have been able to reverse DCM with diet change and cardiology care. This information has saved the lives of many dogs including my sweet Jesse(10). DCM has no symptoms until it is too late. I am extremely Passionate about this issue as so many owners and dogs have had their hearts broken by this terrible disease.
5
@K, really” Iams? Iams has a history of subcontracting it’s trials to unmonitored outfits that kept animals in horrific conditions, and essentially tortured them. Please look it up. Also, please scroll down the thread for my other posts on the cardiomyopathy issue.
1
When Max turned 17 he was nowhere near the human equivalent of 115 years old. He was still old, but had entered his early 90s. A search for "dog years human years" will bring up links to explain it, such as on Pet WebMD.
3
I recommend CBD oil. My lab will turn 17 this December, in two months. For the last year, we have been successfully using CBD oil (8 drops, 3 times a day). She still walks over around 1 mile or more each day.
Also, I diligently trim her nails about once every 30 days. Our Vet does not do a great job on cutting the nails and I understand why. It requires that the dog be really relaxed, and the nails should be trimmed little by little. The Vet simply does not have time for that. It took me a while to learn how to do it correctly. YouTube videos are a helpful guide for beginner nail trimmers. BE CAREFUL! The core of the nail is very sensitive and will bleed.
Trimming has made a big difference in how she walks. She appreciates it greatly after each trim, even though she is a little bit nervous when the nails are cut. After the trim, when the sound of her nails striking the floor during each step disappears, she enters "stealth mode" as she quietly maneuvers our home.
As your dog gets older and they walk less, there is less opportunity for your dog to grind their nails on the sidewalk. So, as your dog ages, if the nails look really long, cut the nails at your Vet, a groomer, or do it yourself.
6
Dogs and humans evolved (together) starting 15000 years ago however both had many years of nutritional biology before the relationship. Both species coexisted terrestrially for several hundred thousand years and likely shared a common gastrointestinal biome. That common biome was decidedly much more complex than with modern humans and canines. Thus, both species suffer from non-specific gastrointestinal malady likely due to evolutionary nutritional needs unmet in modern food world. Those micronutrients included good intentional bacteria colonized in the gut due to the absence of sanitation in wilderness living and a complex diet of earthen critters like worms and small and large animals (often carrion) that added to the gastrointestinal bacterial party of both species. So, modern approaches to dietary needs ultimately includes reading a gastroenterology textbook that details the array of gut and digestion disorders in the human (and by dietary extension: dogs). Dog and human world food safety has not fixed the gastrointestinal inadequacies in either species but letting your dog spend copious amounts of time outdoors gives the pup opportunity to eat a fly or a grub worm that is innate to dog behavior. Otherwise, foodstuff varied and made complex with probiotics makes some sense short of feeding both species carrion.
1
Kota, the Wonder Dog in the picture here, is now 13 and beginning to slow down a bit.
The vet recently pronounced her healthy and placed her on a special diet to help keep her weight down.
Not entirely satisfied with that, the two of us travel every few days to a delicatessen ten miles away where the owner sells us three or four pounds of the remainders of kosher beef tongues, beef briskets, corned beefs, pressed pastramis and turkey loaves left over from his sandwich making.
Kota relishes these rides and makes short work of the deli.
What's sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander.
7
Garlic is toxic to dogs, so I'd be careful with any meats (pastrami) containing it.
3
@J-Bird , also too much salt in deli meats. Terrible thing for dogs.
4
My pug Buddha will be 17 on November 3. He still has his puppy looks. We feed him a raw diet + he is neutered. His younger half brother, Brahma, died on Memorial Day 2019 at 15.5 years of age. Despite a number of health issues, Brahma always had a peaceful + content disposition. He was simply happy to be snuggled up against one of us. I hope Buddha goes the same way, at home, naturally. Brahma's was the best pet death I've ever experienced. We've put animals down, or been busy with our lives when a cat died, we've made mistakes + not been the best people for an animal. When we got our pugs, I vowed that we would always be there, always love them, always do the best we could with them + by them. I kept them trim + I think that has helped a lot. Also, I am forever grateful for the woman who shrugged when I asked about her rescue dog's beautiful coat. "Bravo," she said. RAW DIET. The first time I gave it them, pressing the bloody meat into their bowls, I grimaced. This is gross. They attacked it like wolverines.
1
Posting this in hopes it helps someone: Our 9 YO rescue mix was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) this year. He had 4 bouts of aspiration pneumonia in a row because of it...until we realized that his B12 levels were low and did a scope of his GI tract to confirm animal protein allergens. He had been fed premium dog food (additive free..the expensive stuff) for years and had been exposed to many types of proteins. We switched him to a hydrolyzed protein diet at the end of May and I believe it saved his life.
We did the typical vet "senior" panel in January and it came back normal. His IBD illness exploded in May. Please ask your vets to take B12 levels during annual visits. This is normally skipped but it can be an early indicator of IBD / food allergies. He did not have the typical signs (diarrhea/vomiting). In hindsight, he had some hair loss around his eyes and a brittle coat. With motility medicine, steroids, and a novel protein diet, IBD can be managed but it takes patience and a lot of trial & error. Stay strong and focused on the end game of getting your dog back up on his or her paws.
Dogs are the best.
14
Eastern medicine worked amazingly well for two of my dogs.. one with bad arthritis and one with cancer. Unbelievable results. My traditional vet actually recommended her.
4
I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m taking these suggestions for myself... old dogs can learn new tricks and stuff.
14
Agree with most of this! But please beware of the fancy new dog food. A slew of research (and both of our vets in DC) is finding some alarming side effects of expensive single-ingredient or grain-free or raw dog food! Humans and pet stores have been projecting our own food fads onto our dogs...
also, having a mixed breed dog is a good way to protect against inbreeding as hereditary issues! And it is the right thing to do :)
19
@CMo, as I posted on another comment, the correlation between grain free dog food and cardiomyopathy has been established, but the cause of the heart damage has not been determined. There is speculation that the grain substitutes commonly found in many of these foods — chickpeas, lentils, peas — might be the problem. I’ve seen other speculation that it could be a toxin. That sounds possible to me because ingredients may be sourced from the same suppliers even across brands. But it’s not known.
The FDA released a list of dog foods linked to cardiac disease, and listed them by number of reported cases. Third on the list is the food my dogs’ old vet sells (Taste of the Wild). He still sells it.
3
Continuing...I just did some quick research into dog kibbles manufactured by the first three companies on the above mentioned FDA list. For all three, the suspect grain substitutes are listed in the top ingredients! And because the first ingredient for all is meat (as opposed to meat meal), and meat is largely water, the legumes and tubers are actually a higher proportion of the dry kibble than it appears.
In order:
Arcana kibble lists meat, meat meal, peas...
Zignature kibble lists meat, meat meal, peas, chickpeas, pea four...
Taste of the Wild lists meat, meat meal, another meat meal, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes...
In comparison, the Canadian kibble I buy (Petcurean) lists meat meal, another meat meal, fish meal, meat, another meat, another meat, fish, and only then it goes to potatoes, peas...
So not all grain free kibbles are created the same. Meat and animal protein is not the problem. The use of high amounts of legumes and tubers might be.
1
I am so glad you are putting this out there. The very worst foods in order are Acana, Zignature , Taste of the Wild, Fromm , Earthborn, Kirkland’s Nature’s Domain, 4Health, Blue Buffalo. Having this information helped to save my dog’s life as because she was on Acana for eight of her nine years, I took her to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram and she was diagnosed with a number of life-threatening heart issues including atrial arrhythmia, Pulmonary hypertension, heart murmur and others. She is now on Diltiazem for the Arrythmia, Food change to Royal Canin for early cardiac prescription diet and after 10 months her arrhythmia is under control, heart murmur is down to 1/6 And her pulmonary hypertension is gone!
2
Our 13 year old Goldie was slowing down. We thought it was age but it was low thyroid. She’s happily having a resurgence of energy and playfulness now that she’s getting her thyroid medicine.
12
Thanks for reminding your readers that dogs should not be overfed and need to stay trim with decent quality food and regular exercise. Brushing their teeth is important too. Their is little to no evidence that the use of chondroitin sulfate / glucosamine supplements for degenerative arthritis has any benefit in humans (here is one paper on this topic, and there are others with similar findings: https://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/734153/meta-analysis-chondroitin-osteoarthritis-knee-hip). I believe the same is likely for dogs.
As a side note, if they lick your plates. please don't throw away what's left in the trash. No organic material should go in the trash. Compost it!
2
I have a Beagle dachshund mix named Samuel. He’s my first and only doggie ever. He’s my permanent puppylove.
He was on clearance when we met, having been in a county shelter 60 days past....uhm, his “mandatory” expiration date. Paid a whole $15 to get him (!). But he was the only beagle there when we met him the day before Thanksgiving. They would have put him down the day after the holiday.
We do our best to keep him fit, and buying premium dog food relieves all his skin allergies.
Now, at the age of 13 years, he is still my prancing dancing beautiful love.
He’s happy, glossy, healthy and sprightly. I attribute that to not just our unconditional love for him, but to his diet.
Invest in your puppy- they will love you unconditionally.
16
@Daria My sister feeds her 7 year old puggle good food, but she also walks 3 fast miles ( with smell stops} , She is all muscle and love.
Another important issue with regard to older dogs that greatly needs highlighting is canine glaucoma. Older dogs should have their eye pressures checked routinely, and yet this rarely if ever happens. My dog was seen by 2 NYC vets immediately after he began squinting out of nowhere, which I’d never seen him do before, and yet he was given meds for conjunctivitis. Neither vet checked his pressure. By the time I saw the severe redness in his eye, he had lost its vision. What is worse, glaucoma is very painful. He suffered because no one considered it as a possibility. Many veterinary offices don’t even have a working tonometer to check for it. So please ask your vet to ensure access to a tonometer in working order. And if you have an older dog, ask your vet to check her pressures. And if you spot odd behavior, think about the possibility of glaucoma. Do your own research, because you may well be your pet’s biggest advocate and save him from glaucoma pain.
11
We just lost our beautiful Schnauzer, Mitzi, some three months ago, at age 14. I only wished I had known so much more about better food, better meds than I did. We plan to get a new Schnauzer pup within new 2 months. And I know there will be an honest effort on our part to feed her right, brush those teeth daily, better choices of food, daily walks.
Her first vet was far too quick to give her a "shot" with hot spots, constant itching. But we left him, found a much better vet locally who diagnosed her hot spots, etc. as thyroid problems. Daily meds took care of that in a heartbeat. There was a suspect of Cushing's disease but we never could get a 100% diagnosis with that. She eventually had a doggie cardiologist and a doggie ophthalmologist, both graduates from the University of Georgia's excellent veterinarian school.
But time took its toll on that pup along with age. Our pets live such short lives.
There is literally no hurt like the loss of a beloved pet, we still mourn this wonderful little creature to this very moment.
So much joy, so much love, so much adoration.
Nothing like an animal to lift one's spirits
13
@Carol My old Mini Schnauzer friend will be 15 next week. Good nutrition is vital to her health. She is our family's best friend. I keep telling myself she is immortal, but I will mourn the day when she goes upstate to the farm. she takes pain medication daily for her arthritic hips and that helps quite a bit. Still enjoys her walks every day. My son was in kindergarten when she came into our lives and now he is almost 21 and has never know life without her. Best of luck and keep your furry friend healthy!
5
@Carol
I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Every time I lose a pet I think never again it is just too painful and then some wonderful creature comes into my life and I do it all again.
10
Namaste, my chocolate rat terrier was on a raw food diet, including raw food treats like sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, and fish skins her entire life. She maintained her weight of 17/16 lbs for 17 years.
She looked great up until this last August 29 when she had seizures, 3 in a row... then I knew it was time.
At her death she weighed 15 lbs.
3
I’ll add one thought to the author’s final paragraph, that human medicine can learn much from veterinary medicine also. Just last week I had a long chat with my vet about things he knows that my cardiologist doesn’t tell me. Like taking EPA, one of the omega-3 fatty acids, for good heart health. Like glucosamine for my 69 year old joints. And another supplement for greater muscle tone. Just as I learned years ago from my dentist that good dental health enhances overall well-being, I’m learning to chat with my vet about my health.
6
@Robert Stewart Unfortunately most vets, like most human doctors, know anything about nutrition. You are lucky.
Btw, what supplement did he suggest for muscle tone.
2
My vet bills for all of my 3 dogs skin, digestive, ear, eye issues, autoimmune became non existent when I switched them to a vegan diet. My vet actually recommended it as she shared the quality of US based animal protein dog foods was compromised.
It was bad for her business, great my dogs - now they get vaccinations only from the vet when they are due. And, when out walking I routinely get asked what I feed my dogs as they appear so shiny and in great shape!
4
We have our attentive local vet and the very fine vet school at NCState University to thank for diagnosing hypothyroidism and a food allergy in our 11 year-old female yellow lab mix, Sunny Honey. Her subsequent turnaround in the past few years has been remarkable, though it is tempered by genuine regret that we didn't identify the issues sooner.
1
Since the article mentions neutering, i have to point out that this arcane practice, almost unheard of in Europe, is not in your pet's longevity interests. Neutered dogs develop more musculoskeletal problems than intact males, and are more prone to weight gain. So unless you let your dog run loose, and are sure you have the canine-casanova of all times, there is no reason to do it. (And if you cite the unwanted puppies, let me remind you that even one intact male can do the job for the entire neighborhood). This is one of those "socially appropriate practices" that make no sense.
As for food, the owner of the longest-lived dog, who recently died in Ireland, confessed his diet was heavily composed of potato peels! We feed a blend of raw food/high quality kibble and table scraps (because we ourselves eat a very good diet, this wouldn't be a good idea otherwise). By feeding a variety you avoid the pitfalls of commercial diets that may be lacking in something, that later becomes known to be essential! (like Selenium, Magnesium, etc-all relatively recent finds). Plus, it's nice to enjoy your food-for dogs as well as humans!
5
@MD, there are many indisputably good reasons to neuter dogs that are not stud animals. The only people I ever hear speaking against it, other than those who plan to breed their dogs, are men. And that’s a whole other problem.
20
I took our 10 year old cockapoo Yuki to the vet in May for her annual teeth cleaning. The vet called to say she had discovered a tumor in her mouth. It turned out to be malignant and the vet advised us to see an oncologist. Because we had taken Yuki for teeth cleaning, the oral melanoma was caught early and hadn't yet spread to her lungs or lymph nodes. This was the one year I didn't regret the expense of getting Yuki's teeth cleaned.
9
Katie Lee is our 15 1/2 year old Cairn terrier. About 5 years ago, she was obese, because all she wants to do is eat. Our very wise vet recommended a 50 /50 kibble and green bean diet (the frozen kind without salt). Now KL is a svelt, happy little girl, and I hope she sticks around a while longer.
11
I certainly agree with keeping them trim. For arthritis, we found Galliprant extremely effective (much more so than aspirin). It's ridiculously expensive - for a daily drug - but with online ordering and rebate it's not too terrible.
3
@Harris
@Harris: My 13yr old Lab/Poodle mix developed arthritis in his left elbow while still almost a youngster; our vet put Larkin on Galliprant, which he did not "enjoy" taking. Yes, it's very expensive and Larkin still limped.
Several month ago I learned about Carbon c-60, a supplement. I've been trying it for the past several month (and I'm taking it for my own arthritic pain: if it's good enough for Larkin, it's good enough for me (lol). It's working beautifully for both of us. Please check this out, under the name Greska's Carbon c-60. BTW: Larkin's been on raw chicken since a pup and now I make a cooked rice and veggie dish so he has both foods, along w/ raw beef bones for teeth-cleaning. My very best wishes to all dog lovers.
Daily activity not only keeps a dog trim but also quells boredom and keeps the joints moving and all this makes for a happy dog with a good quality of life and a nimbler mind.
Our “pup” will be 14 in three months. He’s been consistently 82 pounds his whole life. He walked 3.5 miles last night!
For arthritic pain, aspirin based according to weight works better than any other (expensive) prescription pain reliever, and we have tried them all. Has anyone else found aspirin effective for dog’s arthritis?
4
@KasF, you should be aware that there are two ways to approach medicating for joint problems in dogs: NSAIDS (anti inflammatory mediations) or pain meds. Aspirin is just an OTC anti inflammatory. It does not directly tamp down the pain. Some of the prescription NSAIDs you may have tried are Metacam or Rimadyl. They do the same thing aspirin does. Aspirin is not without risks. It can cause gastric ulcers and vomiting, so you need to administer it with your vet’s oversight. And keep an eye on your dog’s stools, for signs of blood.
Treating for pain does not reduce joint inflammation, but may help a dog move around more freely, and so suffer less stiffness overall. Because of the dog is protecting or favoring a leg, it puts strain in other parts of the body and that can cause pain.
1
I've had many dogs-some pedigreed, many mixed. None of them got fat and most lived to be 15 or 16. Some of the bigger ones only 12. They all were walked daily-but not necessarily that far as I have sometimes had orthopedic issues and just could not do it. But I've always had a fenced yard for them. I do feed them specialty dog foods from Southern Agriculture stores which carry very high end. And they have informed staff that care about animals. Dogs deserve a good life and being too fat deprives them of that. But I do allow small amounts of table scraps despite the vet's ( very proper ) admonishments against that .
4
Our Sally adopted us in June 2011. Until we move to the country I didn’t know that people dumped animals. She ran for two weeks. Suddenly, one day she quietly walked up behind me and I could feel her presence. All the fear of dogs I’d always had evaporated instantly. Eight years later we sustain each other.
I can see her aging before my eyes and I am adamant about not prolonging her life for our benefit. Our phenomenal vet has helped me work through my fears and the anguish to come. He says that Sally will tell her humans when she is ready to leave. We have faith that he will help us to know when the time is coming.
We have a plot and prepaid plans for her to be buried next to Rosie, the queen of the cats at the cemetery where Bix Beiderbecke is buried.
Our granddaughter picked the gravesites. Jews are not cremated so our friends have caskets. Although it may seem wrong for some she will once again say Kaddish for Sally as we lay her beside Rosie.
Never in my life did I imagine how captivated we woul be by a cat and a dog. But we have enjoyed it immensely and will grieve when Sally slips away.
We are not of the folks who try valiantly to keep there friends alive. But that’s us. Some may say Sally should have more days to try more things.
As for Sally and I all we care about is what she decides.
28
@Lodi’s s i
Not strange to me. Shamayim (Sky to those who do not understand Ivrit), a Whippet-GSD Lurcher was 15 when she passed (metastasized liver and spleen cancer) and I refused to have her cremated for the same reason. She is buried in a place that she loved and no one knows where it is except I do. Her gravestone is in my yard and I go to synagogue the Shabbat before her death (15 Kislev) and to the morning minyan that day to say Kaddish for her.
I wished that she had lived longer but she told me when she was not interested in living any more and I respected that. What else could I do?
9
Re: "Premium food." People should beware of grain-free, overly high protein foods which are now known to cause cardiac issues.
11
@Maude, that has been misreported, as all science based stories are these days. And too many people glom onto the headlines without reading the entire stories. It is not so clear cut. Correlation does not equal causation. Certain grain substitute ingredients are suspected, in causing cardiac issues, not the protein content.
When choosing pet food, it’s important to look at each ingredient. Most of the supposedly top quality dog kibbles made in the USA contain empty and potentially harmful fillers, such as tomato pomace (not only devoid of nutrition, but high in residual pesticides).
5
Having just completed Jane's Canine article, I am reaching over and petting OrEO's belly. OrEO, my surrogate son, will be 13 years of age later this month. Many of my chronic health issues throughout my life have now been diagnosed, & several years ago I self-trained OrEO to be my Service Canine. He already was, & is the best friend I've ever had.
18
I have 2 rescue girls at present. No idea of their ages but one has been with me going on 8 years, the other 4. One rescue has severe arthritis and an obvious history of ruptured cruciate ligaments. Likely she is a product of two folks who both had dogs and decided to make more puppies. I have fed a raw died for at least 15 years without any problems. Their morning meal is a drumstick and ground beef, weighed at 8oz. Just to cover what is missing I use a nutritional supplement to cover whatever the chicken and beef lacks. Treats are carrots and veggies and raw eggs from our chickens. Dora now gets acupuncture weekly and her weight is kept between 60-62 pounds. She is the smallest Rottweiler that I’ve ever seen!! Since it would be impossible to keep their meat/chicken frozen in an emergency or evacuation, I began feeding a high end kibble for their second meal and that is how I regulate their weight. Their systems seem to accept the raw/kibble diet without any signs of digestive issues. I had read that mixing raw and kibble was not good, but for us it works very well. For those folks whose dogs are beginning to show signs of physical issues, I recommend acupuncture, rest that day and daily exercise. CBD oil is a good option and seems to work quite well. Dogs give us their entirety, devotion and friendship, the least we can do is do what is best for our very best friends. Vaccine titers eliminate over vaccinating.....another precaution that avoids potential problems.
4
I have 2 rescue girls at present. No idea of their ages but one has been with me going on 8 years, the other 4. One rescue has severe arthritis and an obvious history of ruptured cruciate ligaments. Likely she is a product of two folks who both had dogs and decided to make more puppies. I have fed a raw died for at least 15 years without any problems. Their morning meal is a drumstick and ground beef, weighed at 8oz. Just to cover what is missing I use a nutritional supplement to cover whatever the chicken and beef lacks. Treats are carrots and veggies and raw eggs from our chickens. Dora now gets acupuncture weekly and her weight is kept between 60-62 pounds. She is the smallest Rottweiler that I’ve ever seen!! Since it would be impossible to keep their meat/chicken frozen in an emergency or evacuation, I began feeding a high end kibble for their second meal and that is how I regulate their weight. Their systems seem to accept the raw/kibble diet without any signs of digestive issues. I had read that mixing raw and kibble was not good, but for us it works very well. For those folks whose dogs are beginning to show signs of physical issues, I recommend acupuncture, rest that day and daily exercise. CBD oil is a good option and seems to work quite well. Dogs give us their entirety, devotion and friendship, the least we can do is do what is best for our very best friends.
Like most labs, mine lives to eat. Her exercise regimen has been rigorous and at age 11, she still does daily 3 hour hikes followed by cool off swims. She loves her hikes and she loves her treats. She should lose 5 pounds, but that would mean a lot less happiness for her. The extra weight has not measurably slowed her down. But the extra food has brought immeasurable happiness. An extremely active and very happy dog is better off than one who is trim and hungry. I believe that active dogs benefit from the happiness that slight overeating brings. Being maximally trim is not as important as being maximally happy.
15
Instead of routine vaccinations for diseases are are uncommon, consider a blood titer which will let you know if your dog is still covered from her puppy vaccinations. My lab was covered for over 10 years from her puppy vaccinations. We all need vets, but remember, if they didn't do all these (mostly) un-nessary vaccinations year after year, how would they earn their money? And there's also a test for heartworm so you don't have to give your dog a poison cookie every month. And there's nothing wrong with table "scraps" if what's left on your plate is good food (notwithstanding onions, etc). Most of the time, what's good for us is good for our dogs if no allergies, etc.
Just a thought folks.
19
@Meredith
Thank you for bringing up the topic of unnecessary vaccinations. There is no reason to vaccinate dogs every year for multiple diseases. Have titers done and you will find that your do may not need another vaccination after their puppy shots.
2
@Meredith You are a danger to your dog. Not giving your dog a heart worm preventative and relying on annual testing is just irresponsible. It can take 7 months for heart worm to show up and then you are looking at $5k of treatment which includes a series of 3 very painful spinal injections of arsenic to kill active worms and a grave risk of heart attack and blockage as worms die off. Reevaluate. Having rescued heartworm positive dogs, this is a preventable disease that no one should be putting a dog at risk of.
3
We buy Green Lipped Mussel supplements and both of my hounds eat the pills out of my hand. They love it. I also give ground flaxseed and golden paste (turmeric, coconut oil and pepper).
2
Happy to see this advice about caring for an aging pet. However, the author makes a mistake in saying their dog is entering his midlife as we don’t know all that much about their biology and it’s not like us. Good food and exercise are well and good but they often pass away early despite all our care and careful reading and research. Cancer is a big problem with dogs and cats. Also they don’t tell us when they feel ill and usually try to hide that so often illness is advanced before it can be detected.
The average lifespan of my breed was around 15 years but she passed away at 13. The same dog my friend had still lived another five years after mine and the difference was not obvious to us.
Good care is smart but much is still random.
4
@JH, forgot to add that “midlife” depends on a dog’s breed and size. A Great Dane can be considered middle aged at 4 years. There is nothing “random” about aging and health in dogs. Most of the progression is predictable. What is not predictable is disease.
For my 50-60 pound dogs, which are a long lived breed, midlife is around age 6- 8 years. That doesn’t mean that my dogs will live to age 16, even with excellent care. My last dog of this breed died at age 10, from cancer.
Midlife for dogs is less a specific number than it is the time when the signs of aging start to appear. Graying around the face, stiffening of joints. My older dog was still going full throttle at age 6. Now, at age 9, he still has plenty of energy but he looks like an old, lumpy (fatty tumors) grandpa. He is now a senior dog. Dog emeritus. The next stage of life.
9
I disagree that dogs don’t tell owners when they feel ill or are in pain. It’s the owners who do not get the message. Signs to look for, beyond the usual vet questions (“Is the dog eating and drinking, are his stools normal, any vomiting or coughing?”) and the obvious stuff like lameness, incontinence, and drooling, are:
Slight changes in gait or stance, including holding tail lower than usual and tucking or clenching of haunches, arching the back;
Holding head lower than usual or at a strange angle, which often indicates neck or ear problems;
A constant look of concern, sadness or lack of focus in the dog’s eyes, which is a red flag for pain;
Changes in breathing, including more panting than usual;
A change in your dog’s usual smell, which can point to infections or parasites;
A sudden increase in water consumption;
Changes in coat quality or excessive shedding and flaky skin, which can indicate hormone or nutrition problems;
Biting at, chewing, and sniffing at part of the body when there is no obvious reason (this how my dog with bone cancer signaled she had pain in her leg);
A social dog starts seeking places to hide away from family and other pets, when there is no obvious reason (a dog who starts hanging out under the bed or under the hedge, for instance);
Whining and moaning at odd times and, finally,
Depresssion.
If you are familiar with your dog’s normal moods and way of moving through the world, you will notice when the dog is not well.
5
Three thoughts to increase enjoyment of your life with your dog and theirs with you: 1) if you can afford too, two dogs 2) start items like brushing teeth while still a puppy 3)they are omnivores and started while young ,pieces of apples, carrots, celery, bananas, and an occasional portion of a plain facial tissue will be treated with as much wagging as a biscuit.
14
@Roger Billig,M.D.
Interesting thought about Facial Tissue - I used to get grossed out when Molly - my long-passed Springer Spaniel - used to snatch them out of waste baskets and the side of the road
@Roger Billig,M.D., dogs and tissues! One of my dogs loves to pull a tissue out of the tissue box, lie down, put the tissue between his paws, and eat it carefully, bit by bit. He used to pull the end of the toilet paper roll and tug it down the hallway as far as it would go, and then lie down and start eating it. I found a roll holder that put an end to that. He’s nine years old and still gets up to these shenanigans. He’s adorable.
I agree on keeping two or more dogs whenever possible. My dogs are best buddies. So many dogs live terribly lonely lives.
4
This is something all dog owners must read. A lot of people don’t realize how important it is to keep your dog, or animal, healthy. Whether it’s exercise, diet, or vet appointments; People should consider their animals health almost as much as their own. After all, your animals life and well being are in your hands.
10
"the half-cup of kibble he gets twice a day"
-- I hope that's not his entire diet. I give my dogs very little kibble. Most of their meal consists of healthier components, such as chopped fresh apple, lightly boiled cabbage, beans, a little meat or fish.
6
Giving your dog a healthy kibble by a company that researches its food is a complete balanced diet. The only companies that research are Purina, Iams, Royal Canin, Eukanuba and Science Diet.
1
Just to clarify. Cushings Disease is an adrenal disease that causes increased urination and drinking in affected dogs of either gender. Hormone sensitive incontinence afflicts some older, spayed female dogs causing them to become incontinent and leak urine Both of these diseases are treatable with very specific medications for each
5
Being unselfish enough to let your elderly or ill pet go, when life is no longer bearable, is the kindest thing you can do for them. You need to watch your animals, and listen to what they are telling you. I over treated a beloved dog who had bone cancer (I was manipulated into it by a greedy vet), and she suffered. I under treated another cancerous dog because both his regular vet and the the veterinary oncologist assured be that he was cancer free. It’s hard to know what to do, with illness. The last dog I lost was euthanized due to age and declining kidney function. When her bad days outnumber the good, I took her to the vet for her last shots. The vet was horrible to me — accusatory and judgmental. But I knew the dog I had raised from 8 weeks to age 14. I know it was time. I wish she’d had a less tension-fraught end.
I am not fond of vets — I don’t trust most of them — but the vet who euthanized the first dog I had to put down (always the hardest because you don’t know how the procedure will go ) was a remarkably kind, emotionally generous person, and all of the emergency clinic staff were lovely. After the euthanasia, the techs placed my dear dog in a cardboard “coffin” box, and a rose from someone’s home garden was taped to the top (I bury my dogs on my property). A couple days later I received a beautiful note from the vet, thanking me for loving my dog so much. No other vet, or veterinary clinic, has ever been so kind.
72
Good advice not to assume that changes result from age and nothing can be done. When my 17 yr old dachshund became incontinent, I thought well that's old age for you. No, he had a bladder infection. Very glad I took him to his vet. Completely cured. No more incontinence.
31
"the half-cup of kibble he gets twice a day"
-- I hope that's not his entire diet. I give my dogs very little kibble. Most of their meal consists of healthier components, such as chopped fresh apple, lightly boiled cabbage, beans, a little meat or fish.
2
I once had a black lab I thought was weight appropriate. Plenty of walks, hikes and frisby throwing. Vet said, "take 30 lbs off him. Whatever you're feeding, cut it in half." I did, and dog obviously felt immensely better for it. Most of his excess weight was carried in his neck and chest area. Had to get a smaller collar. Listen to your veterinarian.
26
@MD, Blame the dog show world for that confusion. Labrador retrievers are shown at excessive weights, so people think all labs should look like that. It’s especially bad with yellow labs: chunky champions! Breeding lines of so-called field Labs are trim and muscular. The breed was meant to be athletic, not fat.
12
@Passion for Peaches
You're mistaking the body type of English Labs (chunkier) and American Labs (generally taller, leaner).
I've had both at their proper weights, and English Labs are much sturdier in appearance.
6
@Passion for Peaches
Actually the Labrador Retriever has developed into 2 separate types of the same breed. These types are/were based on the different jobs, in this case the different hung scenarios in which the dogs were used. The heavier, thick bodied labs were primarily cold water retrievers used on ducks & geese. They had to be able to sit in a child blind all day & then jump into the cold water to retrieve. As upland game bird hunting became more popular, retrievers were needed who could roam (quarter) many grassy fields looking for the quail or pheasant to bring back. A leggier, lighter built dogs was more productive in this setting. Nowadays there are fewer duck hunters in the marshes, so more labs are lighter & leggier. The show ring preserves the original type of the breed.
4
“Grain free” expensive dog food is a scam and maybe the author should consult research that employs the scientific method rather than anecdotal evidence from a pet store salesperson.
10
@Laura, I know, right? I don’t take advice from anyone in those chain pet food stores. First of all, the employees don’t have any special training in animal nutrition. They are often teenagers. Second, the stores have contracts with just a handful of pet food producers. Those are the products they will push.
I have my (premium) dog food delivered because no local stores carry it.
5
12 years ago when I got my beloved Maltipoo Milo, I bought 'Puppy's First Steps' from the good folks at the Cummings School. Now that my 'best friend' is a healthy senior, I am eager to buy "Good Old Dog" and use their tips to keep Milo happy and health for many more years.
4
Exercise is key, just as it is for humans. A daily walk in the park lets the dog sniff new smells, socialize, and move. My husky is 14 and mostly deaf, but she perks right up when I lace up my sneakers and fill my water bottle.
16
Our sweet golden girl Toby (14) has never had any noticeable breath odor….and great teeth. She's never been overweight and still goes for AM walk and has afternoon play daily. We feed her a Costco brand kibble (sweet potato and salmon) with a dollop of wet food, which not only is not pricey, but also results in perfect poops, and I think is responsible for her teeth and breath. When we switched to this food her teeth became noticeably whiter. We love her SO.
17
Please look up the closed Facebook group “Golden Retrievers and diet related DCM”. You will save your dogs life. UC Davis and DCM In Golden retrievers. UC Davis is doing research on this heartbreaking issue.
Weight is definitely an important factor in extending your dogs life. I just wanted to mention acupuncture and chiropractic treatments as an alternative. I had the gift of a 15 1/2 year old hound mix that weighed 75 pounds that’s life was extended greatly by these treatments. Traditional vets had diagnosed him with everything from dementia to knee surgery. Certainly, it is not going to work in all situations but it is definitely worth looking into if you can find one in your area.
14
Dental care cannot be stressed enough! Dogs instinctively hide their pain and tooth/gum ailments do not manifest obviously.
My dog hated getting his teeth brushed, especially in old age, to the point where I suspected it would hurt him. He simply refused eating one day and by Day 3, his entire jaw had deteriorated. We squeeze-bottle fed him chicken broth those 3 days, and ultimately decided to give him peace after 18 happy, healthy years.
11
Translated: We cherish our dogs and all pets. They are a good source of sustenance.
6
If your dog won’t put up with teeth brushing (or you don’t have have the patience to train the dog for that), you can clean their teeth just as effectively using a wet washcloth. Just saturate a rough washcloth with warm water (or you can use an oral rinse for dogs, or put dog toothpaste on the cloth), put it over your finger, and rub the cloth back and forth along the dog’s back teeth. Even my dog who does not like to have his mouth handled puts up with this. He even likes it, so it must feel good.
With joint problems, don’t let a vet pressure you into the latest, most drastic surgeries as a necessary thing for your pet! When my middle-aged dog tore his ACL, I was referred to a surgeon to discuss a couple options for surgery (one of them involves cutting off the top of the bone and reattaching it backwards, which means many weeks of pain and post-op cage rest or my active dog...and the cost is over $6k in my region). Luckily, my vet was open to trying pain management first. It was successful. My dog was able to build up the muscle in his affected leg again, thus protecting the joint. He does not need surgery.
Think about your pet’s experience before you jump at surgery. Animals don’t understand why you’re putting them through all that.
50
Lest anyone jump in here to scold me up for not getting surgery for my dog, I will point out that I have been living with a meniscus “bucket handle” tear in my knee for almost 30 years. I declined the recommended surgery when I was diagnosed, and chose instead to build up the muscles in my legs. My knee is fine.
Surgery should not be the first line of battle, with joint problems.
9
@Passion for Peaches
I'm so glad that your dog did well with pain management, etc. We tried that for a year and half with our 4-yr (at the time) Golden Retriever without success. (He had a torn knee ligament). He finally had that draconian surgery and has done wonderfully since.
No signs of any arthritis until he became 10, and he'll be 11 this month. And giving him glucosamine/tumeric/herbal dog chewies recently has given him a new spring in his step!
4
@Passion for Peaches, a senior friend who couldn't afford ACL surgery for his young Lab began taking her swimming every day. She gently rehabbed herself and now appears as sound as if she had never been injured. I'm not sure my friend could have managed the difficult recovery period she would have had to endure post surgery, even if he had had the resources to pay for it.
6
Dogs (and cats,too) give us everything they’ve got, so it’s a pleasure to help keep them going so long as they love their lives. My hound dog, now 15 or 16, started on Cosequin three years ago when she started looking at the stairs for a minute before venturing up them, and it was a real help. I started her two years ago on CBD oil, and the very first day she passed her walk’s accustomed turn-around point and kept going. Six months ago her vet prescribed Meloxicam, the inexpensive osteoarthritis drug, and it has her moving more easily yet. I feared the summer of 2018 might be Clarice’s last, but she appears to be looking forward to next summer, which is fine by me.
31
@Steven M. CBD oil has been great for my dog as well. She's 11 and the vet said she's starting to have some back pain - she didn't want to jump into the car or go on long walks. But since starting her on CBD she has no problem getting in or out of the car and looks forward to our walks.
7
@Steven M., My dog has done well on Galliprant for pain. As I understand it, the drug alters the way the brain perceives pain.
1
We always keep our dogs trim. However, two of our dogs got kidney disease late in life which made them less interested in eating. Their weight went below healthy. My plan with my current dog is to put a little fat pad on him when he gets to 10 (just some extra cover on the ribs and spine, not abdominal fat). That way if something makes him ill, he won't get underweight too quickly. This does not constitute an excuse for letting your dog get fat.
5
Even a very old dog can have an improved quality of life, with good diet, regular vet visits, and TLC - including plenty of human and canine company.
In the last stages of decline, if euthanasia becomes the kindest option, there are home-visit veterinary services. Your dog does not have to make a final trip to the scary vet's office, but can have a peaceful end at home.
18
Our 12 yr. old golden retriever is taking Reilly's Hemp Joint for spinal arthritis and the results are amazing.
4
The only thing that seems to prolong life and vitality is calorie restriction. I just adopted a 9mo old pup and even with paleo dieting she's wearing me out, but asa she's fully grown she'll be hungry for much of the day too.
@AT, what? You are purposely underfeeding an adolescent dog? That is abuse! You will impede the dog’s bone development doing that.
11
@Passion for Peaches You don’t mention that for larger breeds, like my 6 month old lab, overfeeding be as more or more dangerous in proper joint development. This continues until about age 24 months. So the right answer is to give them good food and supplements, exercise (but care with jumping from heights), and weight management.
@AT What! Palio isn't for dogs. Give that dog nutritional kibble topped with a few spoonfuls of "Honest Kitchen," (twice per day)a dehydrated dog food (human grade); can be purchased online. Your dog is hungry, naturally.
1
Yes, weight, dental care are of utmost importance, but we have found that the key to their happiness, and longer life is companionship of another dog. This allows each to arrange an animal 'playdate' and the frolicking, mayhem, chaos allow them to be a...dog.
12
The best thing I did for my old Newfoundland was get another dog. He was 11 when I brought home a 2 month old Labrador puppy from a shelter.
My old Newfie taught the lab how to live in a pack and kept the lab in line. If the lab started to pester the cat, my Newfie would jump up and growl and bark and make the lab stop.
My Newfie is now 15 and the lab is 4. The lab adores my old Newfie. He is on Meloxicam for his arthritis and doesn't hear or see very well, but he is still going strong.
15 is old for a Newfie. The love of a good mama, a great vet, and a much younger lab keeps him going.
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@Rhonda
Congratulations! 15 is wonderful for a giant breed. Good care and good genes.
5
We love our 14-year-old Chihuahua/terrier mix and we are vigilant about keeping his weight at about 12 pounds. I can only repeat that you do your dog no favors by allowing him or her to be overweight.
9
I control my dog's weight by weighing her food rather than measuring out cups. We have found an amount that appears to keep her weight stable. If she needs to lose weight, it is done with very minor adjustments--a change of one or two tenths of an ounce will bring her weight down over time. Her "dieting" is too small for her to notice, but it keeps her trim and healthy.
12
The rise in diabetes in dogs may be associated with excess weight. But the use of sugar or sweet ingredients (molasses) in pet treats and foods probably contributes to the weight problems, diabetes, and tooth and gum problems. The practice of adding sweets is so common that it is difficult to find products without them, but for the health of dogs it is worth skipping them in favor of brands that are sugar-free.
5
@V. Kerr Weight gain and diabetes are not from straight sugar sources alone. High amounts of carbohydrate, particularly highly processed carbs, release high amounts of sugar rapidly into the bloodstream. This is what often leads to diabetes and weight gain. My advice is to look for foods and treats that are high meat content, preferably not kibbles or biscuit types (because there have to be significant starches to make kibbles and biscuits/cookies).
Regular exercise and keeping them trim are critical. My last two dogs, a Mini Schnauzer and a Smooth Fox Terrier were 17 and 20 respectively when they left this world. Each had their share of old age related issues; cognitive decline and sound-downing were the most distressful but we kept them close and soothed them through those times as much as possible.
It's hard to know when to say when. We discussed during all visits with the vet. For my Schnauzer, I let her go when she woke up appearing to have a series of heart attacks during the night, painful ad frightening for her, heartbreaking for me. I could not allow her to go through that again, especially if it occurred while I was at work. Our SFT, maintained a surprisingly happy, joyful disposition during the day, despite clear physical and cognitive decline, until one day she refused all food and drink. Her way of telling us she was ready? I cannot say but I do know that for all my dog-babies, I am committed to be there for them through the end.
26
My wife and I have a yellow lab who (we think) is ten years old. Over the past year or so we noticed she was starting to slow down, and our afternoon walks ended up being very short, maybe just once around the block. We recently moved to a new city and found a new vet, and we took the pup in for a checkup. The vet found that she was hypothyroid, and prescribed a thyroid supplement. Almost immediately her energy level rebounded and now our walks are 30 minutes long, both morning and afternoon. I don't know why our last vet didn't see it, but we're happy to have caught it when we did. A side benefit of the thyroid supplement is that she dropped a few pounds. I hope the longer walks mean I'll drop a few pounds, too.
27
I wish this column had included some discussion of evidence-based nutrition recommendations from the veterinary specialists at Tufts instead of accepting the advice of an untrained salesperson as dogma. Think through the McDonald's "comparison"- fast food is unhealthy for humans because the nutrient content is actually drastically different, which isn't true for dog food. Most pet foods labeled as "premium" are pure marketing with no science behind them, and may be worse choices than less flashy brands that are backed by research (see the recent association between boutique dog foods and DCM, for example).
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Teeth brushing is a good idea. Even better is to feed a low or zero carb diet. We have fed our dogs raw meat for about 20 years and have no teeth problems. Canines (and felines) do not need carbs. Feeding raw meat must include balance, of course, which means adding supplements including minerals. We aim to match as much as possible what a wolf would eat (dog & wolf digestion is almost identical). Since thousands are now feeding a “BARF” (bones and raw food) diet, we are surprised that no mention of this was made in the item. Most Vets do not like the feeding of a “barf” diet - vet schools are supported by kibble corporations. Read the labels on kibble bags - usually included in the most important first 5 ingredients are various carbs. 100% wide variety of meats, fish, eggs protein is preferable.
3
@sa Wrong. The DO need carbs. Just not grains. The frozen raw food we use supplies carbs through vegetables.
10
@sa When you talk about "what a wolf would eat," you are neglecting the fact that the wolf eats many herbivores, and therefore would have consumed the carbs and vegetables that were in the guts of their prey.
13
@Joe Dogs do not need carbs, not in the sense that we think of for energy and certainly not the highly processed kind in dry kibbles. As for grains, they don't need those either. And don't start with me on that DCM garbage that was the result of a very biased and non-controlled feeding experiment by a veterinarian who works for one of the major pet food companies. The raw veg in your frozen raw does not provide much if any carbs, mostly fiber, prebiotics, and some micronutrients.
@Deborah Taylor It's a myth that wolves eat the stomach contents of their prey. Only if the prey is small enough (rat, for example). The high value part of the prey is the muscle meat and organs such as heart, liver, pancreas, kidney.
2
time with the love of my life is picking up speed too..
excellent advice on dental care. we started brushing cheddy’s teeth early on as a pup with a good enzymatic toothpaste.
tongue too.
we never considered the snap and apply to the shoulder blades flea and tic medication. we felt companies take liberties with the chemical intensity of pesticides used on dogs due to their comparatively short lives. so i use a very very mild flea soap and only briefly. tics i just look for and remove while she is belly up on the couch, the matriarch of the pack as it should be, though she is vaccinated for Lyme.
Live it the way you feel it and you cant go wrong.
9
I have two English Labs who will eat anything. I use lower amounts of kibble and supplement with broccoli, frozen green beans, arugula, tomatoes, and limited amounts of dried fruits. They gets lots of walks, swims, ball time, and I also brush their teeth with peanut butter flavored toothpaste (real peanut butter is too fattening and they desire it so) to try to keep them healthy and fit. It is hard work to balance their love of food with healthy eating but I want them to be happy and have as long a good life as possible as I am very selfish and love them so much. I totally understand how many dogs end up chubby because their owners want to make them happy!
36
As the director of an animal shelter, I sometimes see new adopters equate “food with love” and go overboard w/ treats as well as overfeeding. A habit many of us probably learned from our moms and dads; I still remember my mother saying “eat!” as she placed seconds on my plate! :) Thanks for an important article to help readers realize how important good nutrition and exercise is to the quality of life for a beloved pet; and their own.
37
I have an 18 year old cat that weighs a little under 9 pounds. When I adopted him, he was one year old and weighed about 11 pounds. My vet said it is not unusual for a cat to lose weight as the cat ages. I said to my vet "if only humans were lucky enough to lose weight as we age." He laughed and said "I agree."
I never gave or give my cat treats because I don't want him to get fat. He doesn't know what he's missing.
10
@susan
We fed our 2 cats raw kidney or liver. One live to be 22 the other 23. Whenever they ate canned cat food or kibble they got sick.
I'm not sure what constitutes "premium kibble," but a dried processed diet seems less nutritious that fresh meat and vegetables, e.g., Paul's Custom Pet Food. I have no vested interest in this company, but have seen a remarkable turnaround in our 12 year old dog's health since changing his diet a few years ago. Our vet is "astonished" that his arthritis and heart condition have not progressed, despite the fact that we've chosen to keep him medication free (against the recommendation of the canine cardiologist). Good food and lots of exercise (including swimming) seem to have worked miracles in this case. We have an energetic and happy senior dog.
22
@cc I agree in principle, but it's much cheaper to just cook the food yourself. We buy meat and other ingredients in bulk at Costco, cook big batches in our instantpot and freeze portions in tupperware. Once you establish a routine, it's really not hard to cook for your pets and it's certainly healthier than feeding them dried kibble.
32
@LCNYC Makes ME feel better, too.
2
This for some reason was a comfort to read as I grieve over having to euthanize our brilliant, happy, loyal and loving beagle/lab mix of 15 years just two days ago due to complications from GOLPP.
69
It leaves a hole in our hearts when we lose a pet, but 15 years is an advanced age for beagles and labs, so your dog must have been well cared for and well loved.
31
@Jeanie Wakeland
Thanks, we needed that.
9
@huh
I am so very, very sorry for your loss.
16
Our perfect lab had 3 ACL operations in her life and mild arthritis over time.
She LOVED her walks and runs and swimming in the lake.
But she started to get chunky and had difficulty jumping on the sofa and our bed.
We took her to our vet and she was aghast at her weight. She immediately suggested we put her on a "Atkins" type regimen - only protein and vegetables like steamed green beans. NO dry food or treats because they are filled with carbs and not very, if at all, nutritious.
All of this occurred during the same time cats and dogs were dying from the harmful ingredients found in various canned food.
Every few days my husband would broil boneless and skinless chicken breasts for our girl. She was given two of those each day coupled with a bowl of steamed green beans with a touch of butter (she would not eat them if the butter was omitted).
What she loved more than anything was the ground turkey breast jerky my husband made in our dehydrator. No salt, no flavoring just the meat. This became her daily treat.
When he took her to the beach, he kept some jerky in his pocket. He would call her name, show her a piece of jerky and she would come running like a rocket.
Other dogs detected the jerky in his pocket and soon began to follow him.
The best part of this entire scenario is that our girl lost the 15 pounds she needed within 3 months. Her energy increased and she soon began jumping on the sofa and bed with no problems whatsoever - smiles all around.
121
Grain free diets have been linked to fatal heart conditions in dogs, might want to consult scientific rather than anecdotal evidence. The way to manage a dog’s weight is the same as a human’s weight: reduce caloric intake.
17
@Laura
Thanks for the post.
I didn't consult "anecdotal" evidence, but rather our vet who has written a few books about dogs and their diet.
Our perfect dog ALWAYS received a ton of daily exercise. She was a lab. Running and swimming in the lake were two of her highest priorities.
I am not recommending what worked for our girl for other pet owners. I was simply sharing another perspective.
19
Any AAFCO feeding trial tested food is okay to feed. Many of the grain-free exotic ingredient foods are associated with cardiomyopathy that is reversible with a diet change if caught in time. Keeping your pet thin is the best thing you can do.
32
My dogs have experienced great results with hyaluronic acid, available without prescription.
Examples include climbing stairs again, fetch sessions and long walks like they’re younger again.
I take it for my arthritis too. It’s supposed to increase the synovial fluid in your joints. It’s worked for me as well, but of course the dogs can’t be showing the placebo effect.
6
@Kate
Oh, wow, this is so interesting. I thought this 'potion' was only available for people via injection.
Between the other osteo supplements mentioned in the course of these comments, along with CBD(?) oil ... I may give something a try. See if it can put a bit of less painful spring back in my step ...
1
This is a Great story that I hope dog owners see. The trendiness of the rescue culture has generated more people who decide to “regime” their dogs because they are too old, which is a sad commentary. I try to keep my dogs healthy and commit to taking care of them until it it time to say goodbye, no exceptions.
8
@SchnauzerMom Spot on. Yours is apt advice.
Mine get nightly toothbrushing also plus “anesthesia free” dental cleanings every four months. One tolerates the dental cleanings just fine, but the other little guy makes sounds like the technician is attempting to murder him, so he bombed out and has to have the every-other-year cleanings where he’s anesthetized.
Taking care of dogs properly costs money and time. Is it worth it? You betcha’!
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@Kathryn
Teeth cleaning is a must for cats and dogs, although we had a oldest cat at the vet last week and he said he never saw such white teeth. I told him we only use can food because they way, they are constantly licking their teeth with their tongue to get any remaining food off.
What I don't get though, is the prohibitive and sky rocket cost of teeth cleaning for cats and dogs. I don't know a vet that charges less than $500, regardless the practice. That's insane. With price tags that steep, I know a lot of folks who forgo those cleanings. I worry about their poor animals' teeth as time goes by. Dental neglect WILL come back and hurt the animal.
17
@Marge Keller - our animal hospital has these specially trained people who fly in from FL every other month. They clean the dog’s teeth, holding them firmly but not hurting them or scaring them. Our poodle clearly LOVED the woman. It was magic. Unfortunately our Bichon/Shitzu mix wasn’t cooperative and while he would never bite anyone, she said he wasn’t a good candidate. You could hear his wails all over the facility:-) I sing to them every night while I brush their teeth. They’re used to it - both my singing and the brushing.
5
I wish this article had mentioned flea protection - the kind that is put on a dog's coat at the neck and spine. The chemical smell is so strong and I hated using it every month. (As did my dog.) So I stopped using it about six years ago. Maybe she built up a resistance to fleas but she's had no problems since then. Perhaps there's a less toxic solution. Or am I just being a paranoid helicopter dog mom?
13
@Jacci Hi Jacci. I make my own non toxic organic flea powder. I'd like to share the recipe for anyone who fears the conventional flea meds like I do. I use it on my cat and three Springer Spaniels. I once purchased a small can of it commercially at the vet's office for the exorbitant amount of $30.00. I discovered the recipe when a generous commenter supplied it while commenting about Banyan Organic Neem Powder on Amazon.
1 cup food grade diatomaceous earth
1/2 cup Organic Neem powder
1/2 cup Organic Yarrow Powder
*20 drops Eucalyptus Oil - Don't put this in if you intend to use it on cats. They hate it.
For those interested in how it works... the DM breaks up a flea's exoskeleton. DM is also a fabulous deterrent to cutworms on your roses and for ant prevention in your house.
Only a small amount is needed..Dust the powder lightly onto your pet's back and rub it in backwards. Likewise the belly. Be sure to dust along the rear end, ears and mouth as fleas are attracted to moisture. Dust all pet bedding. You should be good to go for about a month.
I had a severe flea infestation in my house this summer. The powder worked like a charm. It could take multiple applications depending on the severity of the problem. Good luck!
P.S. wear a dust mask when applying...
5
@Jacci
Having used monthly topical flea & tick prevention on numerous dogs for decades, I think there must be something wrong with the brand you were using. It should NOT have a harsh chemical smell.
It is unlikely that she now has a resident to fleas, but many other factors including climate, temperature & humidity, as wells proximity to other carriers like feral cats afect the population cycle of the flea.
1
@Jacci
Good point and decision. I believe that the market push for flea&tick protection could be the cause of so much cancer in pets. Insecticide entering the bloodstream is counterintuitive. My dog is white, so a flea is easy to see on pink skin. No toxic poisons allowed on Annie because I love to bury my face in the softest hair of my Maltese baby dog.
1
Quite a few people have told me that my dog is too skinny. Meanwhile, three vets have told me that my dog looks great. Boomer is an English springer spaniel that weighs 38 pounds. I don't think a lot of people know how a dog should look because there are so many overweight dogs.
101
@Catherine Well his ribs shouldn't stick out.
2
@Catherine
I could not agree more with your assessment that perhaps a lot of people don't know "how a dog should look because there are so many overweight dogs."
I can also tell when a dog only goes outside to do their business because I can hear the clicking of nails on the sidewalk.
We never had to have our perfect dog's nails trimmed because she was always running around outside, looking for food and little kids because their shirts were usually full of food and they were shorter and closer to her height.
You made an exceptional point!!!
5
@Catherine - I agree that some dogs just as people operate best when thin & muscular. Just as generalizations about people who appear overweight may be off base. Some people can work out for 3-5 hours a day & have low blood pressure, excellent cardiac condition although some assume if they aren't wearing size small or medium that they're out of shape. Meanwhile the extreme dieters with no aerobic conditioning may be deficient in the vitamins & minerals essential to optimum health. Well, I became sidetracked as I was going to concur that too skinny for my Australian Shepherd is how the breed is ideally designed to appear. He can run constantly (in 70F or below weather) for up to 4-5 hours with only short shade breaks. He is solid muscle & very thin although his coat obscures the extent of his leanness. Just his am after running for nearly 30 minutes he encountered a pack of howling coyotes which he enjoyed chasing down & scaring at full speed showing off his herd protectiveness genes. After this excitement he continues a hike for another 3 hours constantly running after a tennis ball thrown with a tosser. Meanwhile my pug walked along keeping his weight in check although high speed chases aren't in his genetic cards.
3
My Jack Russell, in photo, developed bladder stones at age 6. The vet removed them, and insisted she have a special bladder friendly kibble and not to allow her to lick dinner plates. She lived another 6 years. We now buy organic wheat free kibble for our 2 dogs.
We have never had problems with our dogs teeth. They get a lot of chew sticks. It is best to start brushing their teeth when the dogs are puppies so they get used to the intrusion.
4
Over a decade ago (more?), when comments were in print, I wrote to you thanking you for highlighting the problem of pet obesity in the veterinary field. Once again, you are spot on, elucidating the issues common in geriatric dogs One disclaimer, though. With the advent of grain free foods, we are seeing a possible link with cardiac diseases in higher risk breeds. The FDA came out warning people not to use those foods, and raw foods, given the risk of Salmonella. So that "premium" food you are feeding? I've been telling my clients to go back to good old Dog Chow, instead of the boutique brands.
Thanks again for your wonderful column. - signed, a grateful veterinarian.
67
Only really good marketing would convince us to throw away our wholesome left over meat and feed our dogs highly processed kibble instead. Dogs are carnivores. They eat meat. It is really good for them, raw or cooked and far superior than any kibble ever made. A few remaining steamed or roasted vegetables on the side probably won't hurt them either. They add to the bulk required to move the meat through their digestive system but not much else. A dog's meat eating, short digestive track is meant for, well, meat. Dogs also prefer it. Why not make them happy and healthy? Our table scrap fed dogs have all lived long and healthy lives, with minimal medical intervention. And they have all loved dinner time.
49
@Konrad Doerrbecker,
Dogs can certainly eat table scraps and do well - commercial dog food is a pretty recent invention. But pegging dogs as carnivores and feeding them a strict meat diet without skin, bones and organs (wild animals eat it all) would not be nutritionally complete.
21
Our 'scraps' do include trim, skin and fat. We occasionally buy organ meats to supplement (and its cheap! ) so you might be right. But even without that I can't believe meat is not better than kibble. Any kibble.
4
@Konrad Doerrbecker
Actually domestic dogs are close to omnivores than carnivores. One distinction between dogs an wolves is that dogs can successfully process carbohydrates and wolves cannot. In the wild wolves feed first on the internal organs and digestive tracts of their larger prey. They do not go for the big meaty haunches for instance. That content plus the entire mouse & vole carcasses they consume provide all manner of partially digested vegetation/carbohydrates. Your analysis of canid consumption is a bit dated to say the least.
9
My lab is 13 and, whilst not thriving now, she has had a very full life. Kept her trim, to this day, and as arthritis is taking hold she is on raw food, and pain relief. Went to vets yesterday for a check up and doing okay. The day will come when she has had enough of us, but not yet. Thanks for the article.
9
@Gavin I recommend a wonderful supplement, Fresh Factors, from Springtime Co. out of Maryland. They ship internationally. It is super and not contra-indicated with any other meds the dog may be given. Read the testimonials...best wishes.
2
Small dogs might be susceptible to brain tumors. I had two Chihuhua mixes who both developed grand mal seizures in late middle age. The vet said this only happens with brain tumors. We were able to control the seizures with medication for the older dog for about six months. Two years later, the other one had a massive seizure followed by several small ones. Took her to the vet but 24 hours later she was catatonic (we were waiting for the pharmacy to process the meds) so we ended up euthanizing her too. The vet tech at the pharmacy told me she found a couple of articles about brain tumors in small breeds. I just adopted 2 10-yo Chihuahua/Jack Russell mixes and hope they will be spared this. My first dog, a cocker spaniel, died from old age.
4
@AZYankee
We had a great big hulk of a boxer-mix who suffered from the same thing in mid-life. We treated with prescribed phenobarbital and he lived a long and happy life. Best wishes for your two new family members.
6
Years ago I had a chance encounter with a man who had two of the most calm and beautiful German Shepherds I'd ever seen. He told me they were 17 and 19, which stunned me. I asked what he fed them, and I still remember his answer verbatim 25 years later:. "my wife and I are vegans. We cook for four every day. They eat what we eat.".
That set me on a path of research for my own dogs. I started with a raw food diet, including raw meat, and they thrived. My Labrador lived to 16 and my Shepherd mix lived to an incredible 20. As they aged we lightly cooked the plant element of their diets to make it easier to digest. But the meat was always raw. Now I have a high energy hound mix who is 7 and thriving on this diet. I don't buy anything special, I just research what fresh foods I can give him We use raw turkey and lamb a lot. We have it down to a routine that takes about five minutes. The biggest factor that I believe adds to their longevity, besides the diet, is daily exercise. For my hound, I even bought a special attachment for my bike called a bike tow leash, as I cannot possibly walk or even run him enough on my two feet. The bike is more his speed.
54
My Yoda, an a Aussie Kelpie, is about 10, and very trim. I do feed him a premium food, and occasional snacks, but he is a dog who just will not overeat dog food. Maybe if he was offered irresistable treats - - - but not his normal food.
He had some health issues when he first arrived, and then a problem with digestion, but a certain limited diet took care of that. Another male Shepherd I had was also never inclined to be overweight, altho he did develop osteoporosis on one damaged back leg, and the sort of back end paralysis that sometimes afflicts shepherds. Bot doges were sort of picky, the way cats can be. Both of the female dogs I had did gain too much weight. (One had the problem with leaking urine.) I always wondered if the effects of spaying caused more dramatic weight gain for the females -- or if their breeds ( Malamute and Mal/Samoyed mix) tend to be serious gourmands.
It's really not hard to keep your dog or cat from getting overweight. From the beginning, do regular "weigh-ins" and consult with your vet to judge what the proper weight and fat levels are. Then monitor the weight regularly while accurately counting the calories your pet consumes.
If the weight goes up, cut some calories, and of course do the reverse if the weight falls. After a few months at most, you'll have a very good idea of how many calories your pet needs to maintain a good weight.
Then...just stick to it, with continued monitoring. I think people just don't have the discipline to say no to a pet that has already had enough food. Of course, I think that's the cause of human obesity as well, but that's another discussion.
6
I have a large hound mix working dog in prime northeast tick country. Used to use monthly flea and tick topical treatments. For the last two years I have ordered Seresto collars for him, and I find them more effective - found 1 tick on him last year and none this year. I hate to sound like a Seresto salesperson, and some dogs get sick from them, but Lyme disease is a real danger where we live. The collar is a good solution for us.
22
On the advice of the vet, during the annual checkup, we gave our 15-year-old cat Cosequin. A bit laggy in recent weeks, the cat perked up and ran about the way he used to.
For a while.
Unfortunately, long around then he flagged, we took him to the vet again and were told he was just being picky about his food. Unconvinced, after a scant week of trying to tempt him with different cat food flavors (he'd never been picky before), we took him to a different vet, who after tests told us he had lymphoma.
Never let a vet tell you that your cat is picky when you know he never has been.
A month later, we had him put down in our kitchen. He was a great guy.
But the Cosequin did seem to work.
24
@B.
So very sorry about your darling cat.
Same story here ... not lymphoma (that I know), but certainly advanced hypothyroid that despite reasonable / tolerated control methods that worked -- or kept it more at bay -- just took her down, and quickly once it really set in.
And it was the food/eating routine that told the tale.
She was just 14, and we only had her since about age 6, and it's been 2-1/2 years ... and I continue to miss her more than words can say.
But yes, when a cat (or dog) who essentially was never difficult or particular about food suddenly is off it, or needs a lot of special attention to entice to eat -- which we happily gave, round the clock even even that didn't work -- no, as an owner, you know your pet best.
They tell us; sometimes, we just don't wish to hear ...
Love you my most beautiful and special Chloe.
4
@B.
So sorry for your loss . The same goes for dogs. My springer was a food hound and would eat anything - even dirt if there was something tasty in the soil. At age 14 she became really picky. She has to be put down due to bile duct cancer - less than a 10% chance of survival
1
@jazz one what a beautiful comment. Chloe was lucky to be yours.
From a human sandwiched between her two beloved 12 year old dogs.
1
Currently, we have two Shelties... Graeme and Skye. Graeme is 10 and Skye recently turned 7. They've alternated between kibble and a raw food diet their whole lives. Every time they were on kibble they gained 5+ pounds each which is a LOT of weight when you consider that there optimal weight is 20 and 25 lbs each. No matter how active they were they kept gaining weight. Put them back on raw diet (this time with live probiotics) and within 4 months they were down 5 lbs. That spring in their step they used to have as younger dogs comes back too.
Most of the grain free kibble recipes today are packed with pea protein. Go ahead, g@@gle it. It's horrible for a dog. Is raw more expensive? Yes, but it's cheaper than it was even 2 years ago. There's been an explosion of raw dog foods that have recently come onto the market, which has lead to more competitive prices. It's about 50% more. Most of the raw foods have about 5% fruit/veg with it too, for micronutrients. I look at it this way. I could either spend a little more on their food, or spend even more at the vets office 2 or 3 times a year. Our 2 guys only go in for shots now. Sorry, Dr. Vanderwoof.
6
@Paul I agree Paul. We had an old Lab/Border Collie Mix. He was a rescue. Best estimate on his age at time of death was 14. He was on Costco Lamb Meal and Rice the whole 10 yrs he was with us. As he aged his health started to deteriorate and arthritis moved in. He was walking less and less despite prescription arthritis meds. One day he couldn't get out of bed. We always knew he would have to be put down when that day came.
When we got to the vet the doctor said he was just a bit dehydrated and sent us home with some IV solution for him. A dog breeder friend suggested we put him on a raw diet supplemented with a couple tablespoons of raw green leafy vegetables with each meal. We did that and miracle of miracles, 'Uncle' started walking again and lived on an extra year.
I have three Springer Spaniels now and they are on the same raw diet supplemented with raw eggs including the shell and sardines...No grain treats. Their coats look shiny and beautiful, no rheumy eyes and best of all no ear infections which seem to plague long floppy eared dogs. Yes it's a bit more work and a little more expensive, but as a previous commenter mentioned...it saves on expensive vet bills...
2
The two problems with kibble are that it’s mostly carbs (which dogs don’t need), and it’s overprocessed to prolong shelf life. We know to avoid overly processed food for our own health; why would this be any different for dogs?
2
"a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin originally developed for horses"
Yes indeed, we do give this stuff almost routinely to older horses. Does it work in horses - or in dogs? Kind of hard to determine given that horses and dogs do not talk. But extensive double-blind studies on these substances in human beings have pretty much established that they are useless.
What are the chances that although this does not work in human beings it works in closely related species like dogs and horses?
On the other hand, it seems to be harmless stuff, so the only downside, I guess, is cost.
9
@Susan Foley
years ago the vet recommended I give Cosamin to my older dog who had lumbar/sacral injury and arthritis. Skeptical, but I saw a signficant and obvious improvement within a few months. So much improvement that I decided to try it myself, since my dog did not know she was on a med, so it clearly wasn't placebo effect. I too had signficant improvment in my painful knees. They used to "crunch" for years, and that crunching together with the pain is long gone. But it doesn't work for everyone or everthing. Try - if it doesn't help, stop spending money on it.
The research is almost always with advanced wear and arthritis, I suspect it's more helpful earlier, and with certain individual situations not fully understoond.
14
they can't talk but you can watch them move. If they start moving more and better then that's your answer.
I used to run and glucosamine plus chondroitin saved my knees. not a coincidence because I did the retest, for me, it worked.
1
@Susan Foley
The combination of glucosamine & chondroitin does work in horses & dogs. When they move more smoothly and comfortably you can see it. There is also less arthritis because the joints move more which prevents stiffness from developing through inaction. We don't need animals to talk to measure increased range of motion, duration of activity and a host of other actions that can be (& have been) objectively documented. This is the 21st century after all.