Terra is “Older” now. She is 11 years young, and over the past year, we’ve noticed a few changes in her behavior and condition, other than her graying muzzle

First, it was a little more difficult to maintain her ideal weight, she wasn’t as active as she used to be jumping and chasing bubbles or blowing leaves. Weight gain is a common problem for dogs, regardless of age. As Terra got older, it was a little harder to control her weight since she didn’t play with her son’s and daughters as much as she used to. During the fall and winter months her weight jumped up 8-10# over her normal weight She wasn’t as active nor expending as much energy as she used to, but we were feeding her the same amount. Like People, consuming more calories than are being used will lead to weight gain. 

The second thing we noticed is she seemed to be “stiff” more during damp days and her level of activity seemed to lessen. She didn’t have a “spring” in her step anymore. Although she is not arthritic and is OFA good, she still seemed to be uncomfortable. Terra being “chubby” and not having the same muscle tone she had as a young dog was not helping her feel good. We also made sure she had plenty of blankets in her box at night so she could keep extra warm. 

So, what did we do? A few common sense things right off from the start, keeping warm, diet, and exercise. Terra had to get back into physical shape. Although she was fed a premium diet, it was a maintenance diet, not a diet for “Senior” dogs. Premium “Senior” diets have reduced fat levels, but keep a high quality animal based protein at the proper levels. Remember, Protein is the building blocks for muscle tissue, and with age and less use, those tissues tend to deteriorate. In addition, the food also contained Glucosamine and Chrondroitin which are helpful supplements to cushion joints and muscles. 

The second area to address is exercise. Although Terra is older, she still needed daily exercise, just less than what she used to have. Short walks and short individual play and fetch sessions helped her get back into shape and rebuild her muscular strength and keep her cardiovascular strength up to par.

We also found that Supplements are also available with Glucosamine and Chrondroitin that are extremely helpful if fed on a regular basis. Since Terra expects and loves treats, I found “Zukes” Hip Action Natural Treats to be the easiest way to treat Terra and satisfy her with a healthy treat that gives her the supplements needed to have her chasing bubbles again. 

So, even if your dog is older and has age related difficulties like vision problems or hearing problems (Terra uses this excuse when she doesn’t listen to me!), you can get your dog back into shape with supervised walks and activities. Keep your pet well hydrated, don’t exercise when it is too cold or too hot, and begin to pay attention to your dog’s limitations. Don’t be afraid of activity, and remember, exercise in moderation is healthy for any age person and dog. So, enjoy your friend and keep each other healthy and fit.