Guide to Senior Bulldog Care: Keeping Your Dog Happy
If you're like most pet owners, you want to keep your aging Bulldog as happy and healthy as possible. Preventing health issues is crucial to extending their lifespan.
To clarify, Bulldogs are considered senior dogs at 7 years old. Small breeds enter their golden years around 11, while large breeds are considered seniors at 10. Knowing how to properly care for your older dog is crucial to maintaining their comfort and quality of life in their golden years.
In this blog post, I’ll share the most important tips for keeping your older dog in great shape. While these strategies are essential for senior French and English Bulldogs, they’re also applicable to other older dogs.
Health Issues Become More Common as Senior Dogs Age
Contrary to popular belief, an aging dog doesn't just become vulnerable to disease and illness. Many pet owners mistakenly think that the appearance of these health conditions is simply a typical sign of aging.
While it's true that an older dog's immune system weakens over time, it's a misconception that senior dogs suddenly become susceptible to health issues just because of their age. Several key factors influence a dog's health beyond age alone.
Even if your older dog appears healthy, skipping the tips I’ll share can lead to health problems that may significantly impact their quality of life. Consider these pointers as essential steps to keep your canine best friend happy and comfortable in their senior years.
9 Essential Tips for a Healthier, Happier Senior Dog
To make this list of essential tips as comprehensive as possible, we’ll cover not only physical issues like hearing loss and vision problems but also the mental side of aging. We’ll also look at factors that may cause behavior changes in your senior dog. Ready to dive in?
#1. Your aging dog’s health depends on a well-balanced diet.
One of the foundations of ideal health in senior dogs is a well-balanced diet. In addition to supplying essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, proper nutrition helps keep health problems at bay.
As an animal homeopathy expert, I recommend feeding your pet 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dog food, divided into two meals each day. Whether you’re feeding commercial food or raw preparations, it’s essential that your dog receives the necessary nutrition daily.
When we talk about "necessary nutrition," this includes the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Many senior dogs become prone to health issues when their diet doesn’t meet these nutritional needs, and feeding them human food and table scraps (or puppy food) are not suitable alternatives.
While malnutrition is a risk when you don’t feed your aging dog properly, excessive weight gain leading to obesity is another concern. Older dogs can be highly prone to numerous health problems when they gain weight uncontrollably.
The most prominent examples include diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, vision loss, hormonal imbalances, and kidney disease. Neglecting to provide your dog with a well-balanced diet can cause unhealthy weight changes, leading to serious health consequences.
#2. Older dogs benefit from a regular exercise routine.
A common misconception I’d like to correct is that exercise becomes less important as dogs age. In fact, it still plays a key role in their overall wellness. Just because your Bulldog is considered a senior doesn’t mean you should stop giving it regular exercise.
Exercise is a cornerstone of your pet's health, and this applies to both small and large breed dogs. Interestingly, the physical signs of aging become more pronounced (like being overweight) when exercise isn’t part of your pet’s routine. In short, old age is no excuse to skip your dog’s regular workouts.
Due to decreased mobility and agility, your senior dog may no longer be able to handle strenuous activities. That’s why low-impact exercise routines are ideal for older Bulldogs. Key examples include relaxed walks, playing fetch with soft toys, light training in a controlled environment, scent games, and puzzle food toys.
Aim for 30 minutes to an hour of these activities daily to maximize their benefits. Remember, giving your old dog too many treats can negatively affect his ability to perform during low-impact exercise.
#3. Arthritis and joint pain intensify as a dog ages.
Joint health problems are among the most common wellness issues in aging dogs. Besides causing pain and discomfort, these conditions can significantly restrict mobility and trigger muscle stiffness.
However, joint issues like arthritis aren’t caused by age alone. Even puppies and young dogs can develop arthritis due to factors such as traumatic injuries, surgeries, an unhealthy diet, or physically demanding activities.
In my experience as an animal homeopathy expert, arthritis often flares up during cold weather, so it's important to be patient when your pet seems restless. Remember, arthritis is not automatically a part of your dog's aging process.
While I advocate for natural alternatives when addressing arthritis and other joint issues in senior dogs, there will be times when anti-inflammatory pain relievers are necessary. However, this should only be done under the guidance of your vet or pet wellness professional.
#4. An older dog is highly prone to canine cognitive dysfunction.
Mental stimulation is a must for senior dogs. It's essential for keeping them happy and healthy during their golden years. Without it, many dogs become prone to mental health issues like separation anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.
Many pet owners mistakenly believe that senior dogs can no longer be trained. Contrary to the popular maxim, an old dog can still learn new tricks! However, don't expect these tricks to be as demanding as those younger dogs can master.
Some of my favorite tricks to teach old dogs are yawning, opening the door, recognizing hand signals, fetching objects, spinning, and giving a handshake. While they may not be as technical as tricks younger dogs can learn, each one will feel like a big success given your senior dog's age.
#5. Consistent grooming is a must for aging dogs.
Senior dogs benefit from consistent grooming in two crucial ways: First, it removes dust, dirt, debris, and parasites like ticks, mites, and fleas that can cause health problems. Second, it provides mental stimulation, helping them thrive in their golden years.
I've spoken with many pet parents who mistakenly believe that senior dogs no longer need consistent grooming. They assume grooming is only necessary for puppies and younger dogs, but this is a major misconception.
Older dogs are still vulnerable to issues like matted fur and parasites. Neglecting grooming can also lead to dirt buildup, which increases the risk of hearing loss and problems that can potentially affect vision.
Sadly, many owners neglect consistent grooming, which can lead to minor issues that may progress into severe medical problems. Once your senior dog starts to show physical signs of neglect, these issues can worsen quickly if not addressed immediately.
Grooming an older dog is not as complicated as you think—just wipe them down with a clean cloth at the end of each day to keep unwanted visitors away. Pay close attention to areas like the ears, eyes, between the toes, belly, and anus. Additionally, brushing and combing your pet's coat regularly and trimming their nails can also do wonders.
Regular grooming not only helps your pet smell and look better, but it can also contribute to a longer lifespan. Isn't a quick wipe-down each day a small price to pay to have your senior pet with you for many more years?
And just to stress, if you're not confident in your grooming skills, you can easily send your senior dog to a professional groomer.
#6. Watch closely for signs of breathing problems in senior pets.
Bulldogs are brachycephalic canines, meaning they have shorter skulls compared to other breeds. Other examples of brachycephalic dogs include the Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Boxer, Shar Pei, King Charles Spaniel, Pug, and Lhasa Apso.
While their brachycephalic features make Bulldogs unique, these traits can also cause medical issues like difficulty breathing and excessive panting. If your senior dog is showing signs of breathing problems, it may be suffering from a serious issue that could affect its quality of life and require immediate attention.
Besides a more pronounced breathing rhythm, other signs that your aging Bulldog is having breathing problems include coughing, exercise intolerance, gagging, sudden changes in behavior like skulking and hiding, loss of appetite, and blue gums. In severe cases, some older dogs may even experience fainting bouts due to this issue.
This is why you should always be on guard if your dog shows signs of breathing problems. To be extra sure, schedule a physical exam with a vet or pet wellness professional. Some pet parents even invest in an orthopedic bed to help their dogs rest more comfortably.
#7. Older dogs need regular checkups and veterinary consultations.
While I advocate for natural alternatives to keep pets healthy, seeking help from your vet is essential when your senior dog shows signs of medical conditions. Detecting health problems early and addressing them promptly can mean the difference between life and death.
If you're a regular reader of my blog posts, you probably know me by now as a supporter of natural treatments over conventional medicines. However, there will be times in your senior dog's life when a visit to the vet is necessary.
Key examples include unexplained weight loss, erratic changes in body temperature, sudden noise phobias, physical signs of hormonal problems, and similar issues. If you have a gut feeling that something is more than minor, contacting your vet or pet wellness expert immediately is a great idea.
#8. Dental disease becomes much more common as dogs age.
Did you know that older pets are extremely prone to dental issues? This is primarily due to the natural wear and tear of their gums and teeth. Neglecting regular grooming can lead to more than just bad breath—it can cause tooth decay, gum disease, mouth ulcers, and even bone loss in severe cases.
I want to stress that some dog parents tend to overlook regular brushing and cleaning of their pet's mouth as they age. As I’ve mentioned earlier, senior dogs still need the same care and attention as their younger counterparts, including proper oral care.
Like older Bulldogs, other breeds at high risk of dental issues during their senior years include King Charles Spaniel, Greyhound, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Toy Poodle. It's not just your pet's teeth and gums that will be affected—your dog's overall health and happiness can be severely disrupted if dental disease is left unchecked.
#9. Be alert for any signs of pain and discomfort in your senior dog.
One of the most notable traits of dogs, even senior ones, is that they are stoic and often hide signs of pain or discomfort until it becomes severe. This is why it's so important to monitor any unexpected changes in your dog's behavior.
If your usually playful dog suddenly becomes aloof and hides a lot, it may be suffering from a health issue. Similarly, if you notice bald patches becoming more prominent in your dog's coat, this could signal a problem. Just because your dog looks healthy doesn't mean it is, so staying vigilant and monitoring behavior changes is essential.
A Final Word
The golden years mark a time when your dog will require extra attention and care to stay happy and healthy. From your choice of dog food to grooming, exercise, and mental stimulation, putting in extra effort for your aging Bulldog is essential to ensure they live the rest of their life with the best possible quality of life.
Before I wrap up this article, I want to emphasize the importance of boosting your pet's immune system so they won’t be an easy target for illness and disease. Apart from helping your old dog stay clear of minor issues like diarrhea and coughing, a strong immune system can even help prevent serious diseases like cancer.
That’s why we offer a natural option to support pets dealing with cancer.
PIPTOPET, made from the potent mushroom Fomitopsis betulina (formerly Piptoporus betulinus), is designed to support the health and vitality of your beloved pets, including cats, dogs, and other animals. This revolutionary product not only helps pets battling masses, tumors, and cysts but also strengthens the immune system and enhances the effectiveness of treatments like chemotherapy.
I hope you’ve learned a lot from this article, and I look forward to checking out your questions and additional insights in the comments section. See you in my next blog post!
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