You never think about it, but it is natural that our dear four-legged friend will sooner or later get old and will need new care and new attention. Nothing too complicated that will make the old hound live a five-star old age anyway.
Compared to yesterday, the dog ages more slowly, exactly as it happens for humans. It is the new treatments but above all the increased attention on the part of the owners to guarantee the dog, be it a companion or a refined hound, a much longer life, yet this does not mean that sooner or later even the most loved, cared for, better fed dog and pampered it will age.
In general it can be admitted that the dog can live on average 13 years with maximum peaks that reach 27 years and minimums that reach 9-10 years.
As a rule, it is the smaller breeds that live the longest (between 14 and 15 years) while the large and "giant" breeds with a weight of around 45 kg usually reach 9 years.
The first symptoms of aging affect our four-legged friends very slowly, affecting a slowdown and malfunctioning of the organism, called constant and progressive decline.
The main effects of aging are all related to the metabolism which will then translate into a natural physical alteration in a short time. Specifically, you will notice a significant reduction in muscle tissues in favor of the fat component, and above all because of the decrease in metabolism, especially because of the decreased aptitude for physical activity, the energy requirement of an "elderly" dog decreases by about 40% .
Muscle mass undergoes atrophy and bones also undergo modifications, as the cortex thins, becoming more fragile and dense.
Small minor bone trauma becomes a fairly common problem in older dogs just like arthritis and obesity. Both make physical activity more difficult and tiring and therefore the physical decline of our animal more rapid. It is therefore good to stimulate the elderly dog for walks, still taking it in the middle of a hunting trip: it will no longer shine as it once did, but will re-experience the now dormant predatory instinct.
While for obesity the cure is simple (reduce the daily caloric intake), for arthritis the speech is more complicated and among the actions that we can recommend to the owner is to let your friend sleep in a sheltered place. and hot: he is no longer a kid!
Exactly as it happens in humans, to warn of the next aging is the release of white hairs both on the muzzle of the animal and more generally on the whole body. In some cases, a phenomenon known in the medical field as hyper parakeratosis may also occur which will cause the absence of hair in some areas.
If tartar and gingivitis have never been a problem, during old age they will begin to be so and in some cases even the loss of some teeth may occur; in general it can be said that older dogs have a lower ability to assimilate food, which is why the advice is to provide them with good quality foods that are more easily digestible and that will not cause intestinal problems of various kinds.
Among the main problems and complications that can make our four-legged friend's old age difficult, it is impossible to forget the renal failure that only the veterinarian will be able to attest, exactly as happens for cardiovascular problems. That's why the advice is to stimulate your dog to physical activity avoiding too hot hours and too demanding routes.
Vision and hearing also decrease slowly and steadily and in general the animal is less responsive than it was in its youth: it barks less, plays infrequently and appears tired.
Obviously there is no cure for old age, the only solution is to take the four-legged friend periodically to the vet who will recommend diet changes and moderate yet regular exercise.