Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!

Get ready to wag your tails because I Love Every Dog is amplifying the love for our four-legged friends by celebrating the incredible heroes who dedicate their lives to saving them! In an exciting new initiative, we're partnering with Animal Actions to honor the vital work of animal rescues. We'll be donating up to $10,000 to a deserving animal rescue chosen by a random draw. Imagine the impact that could have on countless lives!

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Aging is a natural part of life, and just like humans, dogs experience a range of behavioral changes as they get older.While some shifts are simply a part of the aging process, others can signal underlying health issues. Understanding these changes can help you provide the best possible care for your senior canine companion.

One of the most noticeable changes is a general slowdown. Your once-energetic pup might spend more time napping and less time playing fetch. They might be less enthusiastic about long walks or may tire more easily during their usual activities. This decrease in activity is often due to joint pain, muscle weakness, or decreased stamina.

Some senior dogs become more clingy and seek out more attention and physical contact from their owners. Others might become more irritable or withdrawn, preferring solitude and reacting negatively to being disturbed, especially if they are in pain or have hearing/vision loss. They might be less tolerant of boisterous children or other pets.

It's common for older dogs to experience disruptions in their sleep patterns. They might sleep more during the day but become restless or disoriented at night, often pacing, whining, or barking. This can be a sign of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), similar to Alzheimer's in humans.

Even perfectly house-trained dogs can start having accidents indoors as they age. This can be due to a variety of factors, including decreased bladder control, increased frequency of urination (often due to kidney issues or diabetes), or simply not being able to hold it as long due to mobility issues preventing them from getting outside in time.

You might notice your older dog barking, whining, or howling more frequently, often without an obvious trigger. This can be related to disorientation from CCD, anxiety, or pain. If your dog seems to be vocalizing more, it's worth a vet visit to rule out medical causes.

This is a hallmark sign of CCD. Dogs with cognitive dysfunction might seem lost in familiar surroundings, stare blankly at walls, forget commands they once knew, or have trouble navigating obstacles. They might also forget routines or seem to forget who their family members are.

While not strictly behavioral, changes in eating and drinking habits can influence behavior. Some older dogs might experience a decreased appetite due to dental issues, organ problems, or a decreased sense of smell. Others might have an increased appetite (e.g., due to diabetes) or increased thirst (e.g., due to kidney disease or diabetes).

As dogs age, they can become more prone to anxiety, especially separation anxiety, or develop new fears of things that never bothered them before, like thunderstorms or loud noises. This can be due to a decline in their senses, making them feel more vulnerable, or changes in brain function.

While some of these changes are a normal part of aging, it's always best to consult your veterinarian if you notice significant shifts in your dog's behavior. Many of these behaviors can be symptoms of underlying medical conditions such as arthritis, kidney disease, thyroid issues, diabetes, or even tumors. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your dog's quality of life.

Even if the changes are due to normal aging or CCD, your vet can offer advice on pain management, nutritional adjustments, environmental modifications, and even medications that can help manage cognitive decline.

Understanding and responding to these changes with patience and compassion is key. Providing a comfortable, predictable environment, maintaining a consistent routine, and making adjustments to their daily life can help your senior dog navigate their golden years with dignity and comfort. Celebrate their wisdom and cherish the slower pace, knowing you're providing them with the loving care they deserve.

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

🐶 Refer 10 people: We will donate a box of treats to an animal rescue 🐶

🐶 Refer 50 people: We will donate a bag of dog food to an animal rescue 🐶

🛏 Refer 100 people: We will donate a dog bed to an animal rescue 🛏

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