Particularly as dogs get older they might seem like they are just not interested in exercise any longer, but this might be due to the fact that they are suffering from pain of some form or another.
Many older dogs suffer from arthritis and this can be very painful for them.
There are all kinds of treatments available that can help your dog, from natural remedies to ones that your local vet might prescribe.
As our beloved pets cannot talk to us, they can only hope that we are aware of their conditions by knowing what they are usually like and by us noticing any behavioural changes in them.
Even if a normally quiet dog starts whining or barking more often they might be trying to give you a signal that something is not quite right in their life.
Taking your dog for a regular check up at the vet is a good and sensible idea, as this will help ensure that they are always in optimal health. It would also be advisable to ask your vet to check your dog's general mental state as well.
Older dogs can become depressed because they may no longer be getting the required stimulation mentally, and a depressed dog will suffer just as a human can do in similar circumstances.
If your dog starts to eat more, or less, food than normal this could be another sign that there is a problem. Similarly, if they show signs of weight loss or gain, they could be suffering from some undiagnosed health problems.
Always be aware of their behaviour and it will help ensure that your dog will have a continuing happy and long life.
Being aware of changes to your dogs normal daily routine can have big, long term, benefits to the continuing good health of your pet dog, and must surely be in your, and your dogs, best interest.
