Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog(s) of the Day:
Poppy
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Meme of the day: Valid reason!
Can you afford an emergency vet bill? This one product could save your pet
Vet costs have risen 60% in the last 10 years and 4 out of 5 pets will have a medical emergency in their lifetime. With the holidays around the corner, your pet could unexpectedly get into more trouble than you could imagine. From delicious desserts to holiday decorations, pets have a way of sticking their noses and mouths where they shouldn’t.
Don’t get caught by surprise and get FREE pet insurance for accidents and illnesses just from having a no annual fee Nibbles pet rewards credit card. And if nothing bad happens, then great, you get 3x rewards on pet-related purchases and at the vet plus 1x rewards everywhere else, so you can give them more toys and treats each and every day.
Nibbles is not a bank. The Nibbles Card is issued by Lead Bank. Fees and T&C apply.
The Midnight Patter: Understanding Why Your Senior Dog Gets Restless
If you share your home with a "silver muzzle," you know the routine. The house is quiet, the lights are out, and you’re just drifting off when you hear it—the rhythmic click-click-click of paws on the hardwood, or the heavy sigh of a dog who just can’t seem to find the right spot.
It can be heartbreaking and, let’s be honest, a little exhausting. But if your senior dog has become a night owl, they aren’t trying to be difficult. They’re navigating the "golden years," which sometimes come with a different internal clock.
Here is a look at why your old friend might be restless and how you can help them find their way back to dreamland.
The "Old Man" Aches (Joint Pain)
Just like humans, dogs feel the weather in their bones as they age. Conditions like osteoarthritis can make lying in one position for too long uncomfortable.
The Signs: Constant shifting, circling many times before lying down, or panting.
The Fix: A high-quality orthopedic memory foam bed can work wonders by taking pressure off sore joints.
Cognitive Changes (Doggy Dementia)
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) is similar to Alzheimer’s in humans. It can flip a dog’s sleep-wake cycle, leaving them confused when the sun goes down.
The Signs: Staring into corners, getting "stuck" behind furniture, or wandering aimlessly.
The Fix: Keeping a very strict daytime routine and using nightlights can help reduce their nighttime anxiety.
More Frequent "Potty Breaks"
As dogs age, their bladder capacity often decreases, or they may develop issues like kidney changes or diabetes that make them thirstier.
The Signs: Standing by the door, whining softly, or pacing near the hallway.
The Fix: A final, late-night bathroom break right before you go to bed is essential.
Sensory Decline
When a dog loses their vision or hearing, the dark becomes a much scarier place. They might feel vulnerable because they can't hear you nearby or see the layout of the room as well as they used to.
The Signs: Startling easily or wanting to be "velcroed" to your side at night.
The Fix: Leaving a radio on low or keeping their bed right next to yours can provide the sensory "anchor" they need to feel safe.
Comparison: Normal Aging vs. Potential Concerns
Feature | Normal Aging | Potential Medical Issue |
Activity | Slightly slower to settle | Pacing for hours without stopping |
Response | Settles down when you pet them | Seems "lost" or doesn't recognize you |
Physical | Occasional stiffness | Whining or yelping when moving |
How You Can Help Tonight
You don't have to just "tough it out." Small changes can make a big difference in their quality of life (and your sleep schedule):
Gentle Movement: A short, slow sniff-walk in the evening can tire their brain and body without overexerting them.
Calming Aids: Talk to your vet about supplements like Melatonin, CBD, or pheromone diffusers designed to lower anxiety.
Check the Temp: Senior dogs struggle to regulate their body temperature. A drafty floor might be keeping them up, or a thick coat might make them overheat.
A Note of Comfort: Your dog isn't restless by choice; they’re just looking for comfort. A gentle hand on their head or a soft word can often be the best medicine for a wandering senior soul.
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Bonnihill Farms (Fromm Family Foods) - BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs for potential plastic contamination
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Family Photo of the Day:
Hunter!
We want to feature your pup!
We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.
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Meme of the day - Instagram: @axelunleashed
