Senior Dog Blog

The current COVID-19 situation has the whole world on edge. That is, except for one group that’s happier than ever to have everyone staying home. Our dogs are benefiting in a big way from social distancing protocols, getting to spend more time with their beloved owners at home every day. But you might be wondering if you can still go outside for walks with your senior dog during these crazy times. Is it safe to visit the dog park or have playdates with doggie friends?

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Touch has a significant impact on our lives. A hug can bring light to an otherwise dark day. Holding hands with a loved one can give you comfort. A massage can help to relieve stress from your everyday life. Touch has a powerful effect on our wellbeing and how we connect to other people — and it can have just as big an impact on senior dogs.

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So you’ve decided to adopt another dog — congratulations! At Dog Quality, we believe adoption is a beautiful way to save the life of a dog in need of any age. We also know how exciting it is to bring a new fur baby into the family, but if you already have a senior dog at home, introducing your new pup into the home could take a little more time and patience than you think.

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As hard as it is, every dog parent knows that their beloved pet will one day no longer be with them. But we rarely think about the possibility that our pets might outlive us. No one wants to think about leaving their pets behind, but the reality is that our dogs are living longer. It’s important to plan ahead for the worst to give your pet the best possible future. This is even more important for the parents of senior dogs and animals. Given their additional challenges and needs, you’ll need to be more diligent about pet estate planning in order to protect them. 

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Every dog owner wants to spend as much time with their pup as possible, and fortunately, Houston is one of the most dog friendly cities out there. From bars and restaurants to parks and events, your furry friend can come with you pretty much anywhere. But during your dog’s senior years, it can get trickier to explore the city together, due to mobility issues or health concerns. That’s why we created our Dogger dog stroller: it allows you to give your pup the support she needs so she can come with you on every adventure. 

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We couldn't be more excited to see the flurry of news activity this month, featuring our collaboration with Applied Research at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT MAKE+). The problem we set out to solve is that existing dog wheelchairs are designed with the expectation that the dog has a lot of front strength, which most seniors dogs do not.

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When you bring your dog home for the first time, there are so many exciting things to look forward to. With afternoon walks, play time at the park and evening snuggles to attend to, cleaning up messes like dog diarrhea is likely far from your mind. But while diarrhea might not be pleasant, it can be a common part of a senior dog’s life. You need to be willing to support your pup in sickness and in health.

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Wendy Haines runs a dog health blog, Cherished Hound, aimed at helping her fellow dog parents manage an intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) diagnosis in their pooch, prevent IVDD episodes and help dogs achieve optimal health. Her adorable 12-year-old miniature dachshund, Isabella, was diagnosed with IVDD in August 2017. Wendy has been able to help Isabella recover from two major IVDD episodes without surgery and has been managing the disease with a healthy lifestyle and IVDD protocols. Cherished Hound is a valuable resource for learning about and dealing with IVDD because Wendy has waded through the research and as she says, she’s “been there, done that.”

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As any pet parent knows, your dog is inevitably going to get older. Regular tasks will become more difficult and your pup might need things like doggie diapers for incontinence, a dog stroller for long walks, or a dog ramp to help him navigate tricky stairs. But when we think of providing support for aging dogs, bigger dogs often get overlooked. After all, it’s easier to fit a Pomeranian in a stroller than a German Shepherd!

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Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking when his ears perk up? Or what’s going through her mind when she has her tail between her legs? One of the trickiest parts of dog ownership is trying to figure out what our dogs’ sounds and behaviours mean. But learning how your pup communicates is important for their quality of life, especially as they reach their senior years.

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