As a dog owner older dog health is something that you must pay close attention to.

Dogs are prone to a lot of the same diseases of aging that we humans are. They can be afflicted with weight gain, loss of mobility due to arthritis and joint problems, failing eyesight and hearing problems and much more. We as dog owners must try to keep our furry buddies in the best health we possibly can.

A dog is considered to be "Old" at about 8 to 12 years. depending on the size and the breed. At this age they become more vulnerable to disease and injury.

Just as with humans, dogs have a tendency to gain weight as they get older. their metabolisms are slowing down and they are in many cases less active so they burn fewer calories in a day. Being overweight will make your dog more susceptible to heart and lung disease. The extra weight may also cause joint problems. It's a good idea to watch your older dogs calorie intake very carefully. A good option is to switch your dog over to a high protein, very low carbohydrate raw food diet including raw meaty bones. This will be way more healthy for him than the high carb dry kibble he has probably been eating.

Many dogs, especially larger breeds, will eventually develop some degree of arthritis. This will make their joints sore and affect their mobility. It's hard to watch your dog moving around painfully. There are some things you can do to alleviate his pain however. There are quite a few good supplements on the market today, try either Glucosamine and or Chondroitin. These can be found at any good pet food store or online.

Again just as with we humans, dogs will develop problems with hearing and sight as they age. The only thing we can do usually for these ailments is to try and keep the dog away from loud prolonged noises and also try and protect the dogs eyes from direct sunlight as much as possible. There are actually many places either at a pet store near you or on line where you can buy your dog a pair of sun glasses. a pair of these is beneficial in two ways. They will protect his eyes form harsh sunlight and also make him very popular at the dog park!

Older dog health can be affected greatly by a dogs ability to chew. Senior dogs will very often wear their teeth down over the years. Once again, consider a raw food diet that includes raw meaty bones. If started early enough, this kind of diet can be very beneficial to your dogs teeth and allow him to get well into old age with very strong teeth and gums.

Using the tips above along with lots of love and a good veterinarians care can go a long way toward prolonging good older dog health.