Your dog’s life stages: dog health from puppy to adult and senior
If you share your home with a dog, you know how special they are. Dogs encourage you to live a more active lifestyle, can help to reduce stress after a busy day, and provide comfort and companionship. All they want from you in return is to keep them happy and healthy. Here’s how to look after your dog’s well-being at all stages of life, from puppy to senior, and everything in between.
For dogs, age is relative – and so are their needs
A dog's journey through life isn't just about how many candles you blow out on their birthday cake. Different breeds age at different rates, and size matters too. Generally, dogs go through three main phases in life: being a puppy, growing into an adult, and becoming a senior. When exactly they move from one phase to another depends on their size and breed. Just like humans, dogs are unique and their needs change as they grow older. Always consult your veterinarian to understand how to best take care of your furry friend.
A healthy start in life for puppies
When you’re a new dog owner, you may wonder how to calculate your dog’s age. Small to medium dogs are puppies until they're seven months old, while big dogs become adults when they turn one. Those first months together are all about giving your dog a healthy start in life, so make sure to consult a vet as early as possible. They will offer valuable advice tailored to your dog’s specific needs and answer all your questions, ensuring you have the knowledge and confidence to provide the best care.
One of the topics to discuss is vaccination. Vaccines help to boost a puppy’s immune system and protect them from infectious diseases. Parasite control is another important part of preventing serious conditions like heartworm disease and helps to keep fleas, ticks, and mites out of your home too.
Puppies are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. Training your puppy is therefore an important factor to ensure they learn how to socialize with the people and animals they encounter. Frequent exercise and play help with the development of your puppy’s brain and body – and they’re a fun way to bond with each other, too.
Each vet consultation provides a great opportunity to discuss all aspects of your puppy’s health care – including feeding, exercising, neutering and overall wellbeing – so ask your vet about the perfect food to accompany the growth of your puppy during this exciting, active phase of their lives. This is also the right time ask for advice on how to get them used to taking care of their teeth and gums.
Ensuring a vibrant life for adult dogs
Next stop: adulthood. What that means is very different from one dog to another. Small dogs are adults from seven months to eleven years, medium dogs from seven months to eight years, large dogs from one to eight years, and very large dogs from one to six years. At this stage, prevention is key. Regular veterinary check-ups help monitor your dog’s growth and weight, but also make it easier to catch early signs of chronic diseases, joint disease, and arthritis. Vaccine boosters keep your dog's immune system strong and protect them from various diseases. Shielding adult dogs from external and internal parasites like flees, ticks, mites, and worms is another important factor as some parasites are not only harmful for your dog but can also affect humans.
In addition to those measures, there are many more ways to improve your dog’s health. Combined with a balanced diet, training your dog’s body and mind with exercise and play can have a long-lasting positive effect. Adult dogs enjoy routine, so make sure to feed, train, and play roughly at the same time each day. Your dog’s routine should also include having their teeth and gums cleaned. Over 80% of dogs over three years suffer from periodontal disease like plaque, tartar, gum inflammation and toothache, which can cause physical pain and even change their behaviour.1 With the right care, this is preventable – just like the doggy breath many people worry about.
Extra care and attention for senior dogs
Eventually, dogs enter the senior stage of life. Small dogs are seniors from eleven years onwards, medium and large dogs from eight years, while very large dogs already count as seniors from six years onwards. At this life stage, regular veterinary checks become even more important for catching chronic diseases associated with age early on.
Should older dogs get vaccines too? Yes! Vaccination continues to play an important role in preventing diseases in the later years of a dog’s life. Ask your vet about the right vaccinations for your senior dog, and don’t forget to also discuss measures to protect them from parasites and the diseases they may cause.
Although senior dogs need more rest and may prefer a slower pace of life, movement continues to play an important role. In combination with a balanced diet that’s based on their individual needs, it can help to maintain mobility, so you get to spend as much time as possible with your trusted companion.
There is so much you can do as a dog owner to keep your dog healthy and happy at every stage of their journey through life. Regular vet visits to prevent diseases, a balanced diet, exercise to stimulate the brain and train the body, and lots of love can help your dog live a long, healthy, and happy life.
References
- Enlund KB, Brunius C, Hanson J, Hagman R, Höglund OV, Gustås P, Pettersson A. Dog Owners' Perspectives on Canine Dental Health-A Questionnaire Study in Sweden. Front Vet Sci. 2020 Jun 9;7:298. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00298. PMID: 32582779; PMCID: PMC7297050. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7297050/ Last accessed August 2024.