How old would ya’ be if you didn’t know how old ya’ was? Sachel Paige said that. Think about it, if you didn’t know your chronological age, then how old would ya’ be?
Do your greyhounds have any idea? No Way. They don’t let something like a number hamper the way they live their lives.
Can you imagine them thinking:
- Whoa is me, I have a white face, what should I do?
- I can’t run as fast as I used to, I think I’ll just lay around and gain weight.
- Does my a** look fat?
They are just happy to be alive. Happy to love and be loved by you.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t help them (and you) have longer, healthier lives using natural supplements and common sense. This information and more is in my When I am Older Booklet and is part of my talk at Greyhound Gatherings around the country.
Let’s talk supplements first:
Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Vitamin C
I call these the 4-pack. They give you a lot of bang for your buck. We and our hounds create this in our bodies when we are younger and healthy. But as we age, our ability to create these for ourselves diminishes. Supplementing our diets with them will keep our knees from creaking, our joints from hurting, our bounce in our steps. And they are NOT expensive.
- Glucosamine is the foundation – and if that is all you can afford, please give it. However, the other supplements enhance, and are often needed with individual hounds and situations, particularly as hounds age.
- 1500 mgs a day of Glucosamine, 1500 mgs a day of MSM, 1500 mgs a day of Chondroitin. Read the labels! If you don’t give the correct dose, the goodness can’t occur.
- Glucosamine in food and treats is more a marketing ploy than anything else because there isn’t enough to affect a positive change. Plus it has been baked, and lost efficacy.
- Adequan shots can be an intensive application of glucosamine
Inflammation
I use natural anti-inflammatories before resorting to drugs (Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Prednisone). Yucca is my most favorite and I, and others, have seen tremendous results with it. Turmeric Golden Paste, Boswelia, Bromelain are some others.
Skin & Coat
What goes into your dog, shows up on the outside of your dog – in poop, and in skin and coat. A high quality food and omega 3/6 oil (Grizzly Salmon Oil and Pollock Oil have the perfect combination of 3 to 6) are important. Coconut Oil is also fabulous for coat, skin, digestion and overall health too. Grains are not a natural food for dogs, so kibble with too many grains is not good for their health. Here’s my essay – Seductive Skin.
Teeth
Keeping teeth clean is important, so you don’t have to do dentals every year. I’ve never had to do a dental, after the initial one when hounds come off the track, uncared for. I use turkey necks to keep teeth clean. If you are not feeding raw, then one every week or so – raw – NEVER cook bones for dogs – should do it. You can also brush teeth.
Nutrition/Digestion
What goes in, comes out. Feeding the highest quality food you can is key to your hound’s on-going health. For me, that’s raw feeding. As hounds age, you don’t want them fat, as that will compromise their ability to move well, and will create internal problems. If you have an overweight dog, you are the one controlling what they eat. They do not open cabinets and refrigerators (usually). You can blend up some dark leafy veges, and use as filler with their food. It will not put on weight, but they will think they are eating. If you have to give treats, make them all protein, and just give small pieces.
You need to feed older dogs more variety, and more often daily, with smaller meals. For older hounds, you may also need to cook for them. Eggs, hamburger (taking off all the fat that rises to the surface), steak, liver, heart, cottage cheese, mackerel – good proteins are good. More information about Food & Nutrition here.
Acupuncture & Cold Laser
Incredible for keeping chi and blood flowing in a positive way.
House
Put runners and rugs on all slick surfaces. As hounds age, firmer beds vs. fluffier, harder-to-get-out-of beds are usually preferred . Ramps vs stairs can be helpful. Help getting in and out of cars with lifting or ramps. Give moderate exercise daily. Always travel with dog beds, so hounds don’t have to stand for too long.
Arthritis can be helped preventively and with the onset. Natural remedies, which humans can use too, are all that is needed. They are not expensive, and they do help.
These unsolicited testimonials attest to it, as do the many hounds feeling healthier and living longer.
I’m always available for a free consultation. Just call or email.