Knowing your dog’s age is important for their health. Puppies have different requirements than adolescent dogs, which in turn have requirements that differ from those of middle-aged and older dogs. Dogs age faster than humans, and as they get older, they face more health issues and risks.
Knowing your dog’s age helps you take proper care of them. Here are some guidelines to help you figure out how old your dog is:
1: Examine your dog’s teeth
The condition of your dog’s teeth is the best way to estimate its age. By the time they’re eight weeks old, puppies have all of their deciduous baby teeth, and permanent teeth don’t start to appear until they’re around 12 weeks old. When a dog is about seven months old, all of its permanent teeth will be in place.
Until your dog is a year old, these will remain clean and white. The teeth will appear dull until they are three to five years old, and tartar build-up on their all teeth. After five years, your dog’s teeth will appear worn and possibly diseased.
Keeping up your dog’s dental hygiene is important, consult with your veterinarian if you think your dog’s teeth look unhealthy. Brushing their teeth regularly is ideal.
| How To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth |
2: Appearance of the eyes to determine your dog’s age
You may notice a blue haze covering your pet’s pupils when they are middle-aged or older. Lenticular sclerosis is a condition that does not require treatment and does not affect your pet’s vision.
Cataracts occur when the lens in the center of the eye becomes clouded, and age may play a role. Cataracts obstruct vision and can be removed if they cause serious problems.
3: Condition of the body
Dogs’ hips and legs are more likely to develop arthritis as they get older.
Although younger dogs can be affected by arthritis, if your dog walks stiffly (especially first thing in the morning), limps, has difficulty jumping or managing stairs, no longer enjoys being touched, or gets tired easily, they may be a senior citizen.
| How To Help My Dog Who Suffers From Joint Pain |
4: Coat Color To Determine Your Dog’s Age
Some dogs, like people, age and become grey. Depending on the breed, some dogs can go grey as young as five years old, while others will only have a few grey hairs by the time they are ten years old.
Questioning the age of your dog may help you to understand the care that they need. For example, how much exercise they require.
Something that is certainly not affected by age is how much we love them.
How To Help My Dog Who Suffers From Joint Pain
Canine Arthritis, or joint pain, can’t be cured, and it’s not always preventable as your dog grows older. You can, however, do things at home to ease the symptoms or delay their onset.
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