Helping Your Dog Live Longer and Covering Their Medical Costs

            We all love our four-pawed family members and chances are you consider yourself more of a pet-parent than a pet owner. Since everyone wants to keep their dog healthy, there are things you can do to increase their longevity and cover the costs of aging.

            Dr. Kyla Wuhr, DVM, Director of Veterinary Services at the Nova Scotia SPCA offers this valuable advice. “Senior dogs require regular veterinary checks – ideally every 6 months, as they are more likely to develop age-related health conditions which early detection can help manage. As dogs age, they can develop arthritis so weight management and feeding a balanced senior diet is also critical. Regular exercise and mental stimulation is very important but ensuring that the duration and intensity of the activity is adjusted appropriately if the dog has mobility issues. Dental care is important during all life stages and brushing your dog’s teeth daily should begin as a puppy, however, senior pets often require professional dental cleaning by your veterinarian.”

            Dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plants. In order to keep them healthy they require nutrients acquired from both of these sources.

            At the site Pet Food Association of Canada, where you can find detailed information about the pet food industry. It states that Canadian pet food manufacturers must comply with various standards including those set by the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act, the Competition Act and the Association of American Feed Control Officials, which includes maintaining their codes.

            It is important that you especially read and understand the ingredients of any dog food and familiarize yourself with the terminology used. For example, stating the food has ‘beef flavour’ is decidedly different than actual ‘beef’ being a main ingredient. If a food label states the product is ‘with beef’, the regulations stipulate that only 3% of that ingredient, ‘beef’, is required to meet the standards.

            A study of 50,787 middle-aged neutered dogs from approximately 900 veterinary hospitals throughout North America determined that “for all breeds, instantaneous risk of death for dogs in ‘overweight’ body condition was greater than those in ‘normal’ body condition.” This conclusion further emphasizes the need for a proper diet in ensuring your dog lives its’ best life.

            Whether you start brushing your dog’s teeth as a puppy, as recommended, or later in life, you should look for dental care products given a seal from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. If the commodity you choose has the seal, you can be assured the claims on the packaging are true and have been tested.

            Walking your dog at least once a day has benefits for both of you. It is said that ‘a body in motion stays in motion’ and this is true for you and your pet. Even with regular exercise, your dog can develop mobility issues. If this happens, your veterinarian can recommend physiotherapy exercises or even send you to a pet physiotherapist and prescribe medication designed specifically to treat conditions like arthritis.

            Your pup also needs mental incentives to help them stay active. While there are many products that can keep your dog stimulated, you should never discount the value of a good game of fetch or tug. There is also a lot of benefit when you give your dog a massage or a good brushing as this bonding time with you is as important as any toy you could buy.

            One thing some parents do not pay close attention to is making sure their home is ‘puppy proof’ even for older dogs. Sometimes, given the opportunity, your dog will ingest something that could end up costing you a lot of money at the vet along with heartache and guilt. An easy way to keep dogs safe is to get down to their level and look for possible hazards they could reach such as plastic items that could break apart into sharp pieces when chewed, dishwasher/washer pods and even the bottle of antifreeze sitting on the floor in your garage which can lead to death if your dog consumes it and is not treated within 12 hours.

            As your dog ages, they will incur veterinary costs even if they are only for routine check-ups. There are several companies who offer pet insurance which is a wise investment says Dr. Wuhr. “Unfortunately, unpredicted events and accidents can happen and can become very costly for owners.”

            Tanya Snowdon of Sackville, has been thankful to have pet insurance. She says, “I have had pet insurance for three years and my dog is four. I used it twice in an eight month period when my dog had a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) on both back legs that required anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. They gave me preapproval which allowed me to only pay the deductible and my 10% portion after treatment instead of paying it all up front and waiting for my percentage back.” Snowdon reminds dog owners that “any pre-existing illness or injuries on file prior to signing up for a policy will not be covered by the insurance, nor will maintenance such as yearly checkups and vaccinations.”

            Forbes recently posted comparisons of the best pet insurance policies in Canada. They ranked each company in regards to maximum annual coverage, reimbursement choices, deductible choices and additional benefits. They also listed the reasons they picked each company and the pros and cons of each policy in their comprehensive review.

            When shopping for pet insurance, these are the four main things to consider:

·         Deductibles which come in a large range that can be age based

·         Coverage with features that can include cancer treatment and the cost to search for a lost pet

·         Payout limits which are on an annual basis

·         Age limits that range from a few weeks to a few years old

            Caring for your dog as they age is an essential responsibility that ensures you will have your beloved family member for as long as possible. Dogs enrich our lives and we owe them the best possible care we can provide.