Today, more dogs reach and surpass their 10th, 15th and even 20th birthdays in relatively good health. Advances in medicine, dog foods and health products combined with care-conscious owners and safer environments enable more dogs to enter their golden years and thrive. Most experts agree that dogs are living longer, but no study has pinpointed the actual extension of life that has occurred. There have been major improvements in cardiac drugs, dental treatments, foods and products for dogs.
More owners regard their dogs as family members rather than backyard protectors.
All of these factors contribute to more dogs growing old gracefully. Veterinarians recommend annual, even semi-annual visits to test blood and urine to identify and treat diseases in their early stages. By working with their veterinarians, owners can make their old dogs feel like puppies. Your dog may have arthritis or a hereditary degenerative condition known as hip dysplasia. Neither condition can be prevented or cured, but you can ease your aging dog's aching body.