Here at Greyhound Rescue, we believe it is an honour to care for greyhounds in their twilight years. However, with age comes unique care requirements. We’ve outlined some key steps to navigate life with a senior hound and ensure your hound stays healthy and happy. They include regular vet visits, a healthy diet, dental care, arthritis management and more.
Regular Vet Visits
If you haven’t already, find a vet that you trust to oversee your hound’s health. They will work with you to develop a care plan for your senior hound. A senior dog’s health status will change at a much faster pace than a younger pooch, so this preventative care is very important and means any health conditions can be picked up and treated earlier.
Managing Arthritis
Arthritis is an issue experienced by senior dogs of most breeds, however greyhounds who have raced or experienced injuries in their past life are particularly prone to this.
So what exactly is arthritis? It is a chronic degenerative disease that affects joints.
Signs of arthritis in your greyhound can be decreased mobility, reluctance to sit down or jump onto furniture, less interest in walks, even a change in personality. If you notice anything unusual in your hound’s behaviour, consult your vet.
A multi-pronged approach is key to managing arthritis and could involve everything from losing excess weight to reduce pressure on the joints, to exercise modification, physical therapy and prescription medication.
Blood Tests
Regular blood tests should be part of your greyhound’s senior care plan. These will help your vet monitor internal organ health, like the kidneys, and can be an early indication that something is awry.
Choosing the Correct Food
It’s essential that you feed your senior hound a healthy diet and that they maintain a steady weight. As they age, they may start to exercise less, which can lead to weight gain. Overweight dogs are at risk of increased strain on the body, joint pain, heart disease and more. Likewise, if you notice your hound starting to lose weight suddenly, a trip to the vet is in order.
Food alterations should also be considered when they support your senior greyhound’s health. There are many great options with specific nutrient profiles that can be utilised to mitigate age-related conditions. We highly recommend consulting your vet before making any food changes — too much of a nutrient can be just as harmful as a lack of it.
Have a read of this great article about feeding senior dogs.
Dental Care
Proper dental hygiene is a must for older dogs — neglecting teeth and gums can invite a whole host of other serious problems.
Dental issues can cause immediate pain for your hound like tooth loss and gum infections, but can also “lead to severe health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and liver infections. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, affecting vital organs.”
And as dogs age, their immune system weakens and they are more susceptible to these infections. We know that any surgery can be scary, but neglecting dental health can significantly decrease their quality of life. This is why it’s important to consult with your vet and determine a dental plan and course of action based on your pet’s unique circumstances.
Keep An Eye On The Temperature
Our senior hounds are extra sensitive to extremes in temperature. Make adjustments to the environmental temperature to keep your hound comfortable, whether that’s through an extra coat layer, more heating, or cranking the air con in summer.
Look Out For Subtle Changes
If you notice anything unusual on your greyhound or in their behaviour, it’s always best to talk to your vet. The signs that something is wrong may be very subtle. For example, startling easily may indicate a hearing problem. Your hound’s eating and drinking patterns, weight, toileting habits and mobility are all important things to monitor and report back on to your vet.
Our pooches are great at hiding their pain, so keep a close eye on them and speak to your vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary. This way, you can keep your hound comfortable and happy during this special time together.