What to Expect When Your Dog Turns 12

During the prime of their life, your pooch enjoyed romping around in the snow and being outside even when the temperatures dropped. Now, when it snows, they take two steps outside then turn right around and head for their warm bed. What happened? Well, older dogs have a harder time regulating their temperature. At this age, your doggo probably prefers chillaxing by the fire to running through freshly fallen snow. Help keep your furry friend comfortable by making sure their bed is in a warm area. Similarly, when the weather heats up, make sure your pooch stays nice and cool. Provide them with plenty of cold water and minimize the time they spend in hot temperatures. No matter how cold or hot it is outside, your dog still needs daily exercise. If the weather permits, walks are ideal. Be sure to let them move at their own pace and don’t overdo it.

As a pet parent, you should be aware of the many conditions that doggos in their golden years can experience. Kidney disease and kidney failure are definitely something to put on the radar. Kidney disease can happen at any age, but like many ailments, it is common among older pupulations. Kidney function can deteriorate on its own or be a result of problems with other organs. If your dog’s kidneys aren’t up to snuff, waste and toxins can spread throughout their body. The tricky thing is the symptoms of kidney disease may not be noticeable until it’s too late to treat the condition. At this time, there aren’t any known ways to prevent kidney disease. However, annual blood tests can spot the early stages of kidney damage. So don’t let your pal skip their yearly check up and be sure to let your vet know of anything out of the ordinary.

Older crate trained dogs may not feel comfortable in their crates anymore, especially when being left home alone. If you see your pal pacing, hiding, or panting while you are getting ready to leave the house, they may be trying to tell you they don’t want to be left in their crate. Dogs with sore joints or other painful maladies may prefer to stretch out or sleep on a softer surface. Rather than crating your dog, create a larger space by using barricades.