Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential people in history and beyond that she is an amazing dog lover. She has had many dogs past and present and understands how big a part of the family our dogs are. If you witnessed her heartbreak at losing her beloved cocker spaniels Sophie and Soloman as they struggled in their senior years and eventually passed on, you would understand why so many dog owners can connect with Oprah on such a deep level. It takes a true dog lover to understand the significance of losing one of our four-legged family members.

I would love to be able to talk with Oprah about all the wonderful options people have for their older dogs. I have been there, when you are heart broken at seeing your once vibrant dog struggle with the challenges of age, not knowing how to help and feeling powerless. My mission is to raise awareness among senior dog owners, letting everyone know how they can help improve the quality of life for their older dog. There are amazing, life changing options that can help extend the time you have together, so here is what i’d say if Oprah would listen.

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If you feel that Oprah should do a piece on older dogs please let her know – suggest a show topic

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.

Most of us would like to think that our dogs will never get sick or grow old, however, it is inevitable. The majority of dog owners sincerely care for the well-being and quality of life of their furry friend, but unfortunately, some of them are unaware of the future needs their pets may have.

Dog owners need to gain some background information on some of the diseases that may affect their pets as they get older. The most common geriatric pet disease is dog arthritis. It is important to be properly educated about dog arthritis as there are many misconceptions about it. Here are some of the popular myths around regarding dog arthritis:

1. Dog arthritis is just an old dog’s disease. This is partially true. Older dogs are more susceptible to the disease, but thinking that only old dogs can have dog arthritis is dangerous. Take note that research has yet to fully uncover the mechanisms behind this debilitating disease and all we know are some of the factors that can hasten its progress. With this in mind, dogs with hip dysplasia, overweight dogs and even dogs that compete in dog sports events can develop the disease earlier than expected.
2. Dog arthritis is easy to diagnose. Human arthritis is easy to diagnose since a person can always complain to the doctor that he or she is experiencing pain when using a certain joint. For dogs, it is a bit more complicated.  Dog arthritis is hard to catch in its early stages because dogs instinctively hide their pain. For this reason, dog owners must keep a close eye on any subtle changes in their dog’s mobility. Small modifications in their movement or behavior could mean something is wrong.
3. Exercise makes dog arthritis worse. The logic to this myth is simple; dog arthritis affects the joints and when the dog exercises, the joints are used, resulting in more damage to the joints and more pain for the arthritic dog. Now, although exercise can be painful for the arthritic dog, doing nothing will only aid in the progression of the disease. Without exercise, the joints become stiffer, the nutrient flow is decreased and blood flow to the joint significantly drops. Obesity can also set in, which brings a lot of unwanted complications, including an increased amount of pressure of the joints.
4. Dog arthritis is part of getting old. There is some truth to this statement. However, harboring such an idea brings the mentality that you can’t do anything about it since it’s just a part of the natural ageing process. Realistically, it is a fate that many dogs will share, but dog arthritis can be effectively managed so that your dog can still enjoy a relatively pain-free life even with the disease.
5. Dog arthritis does not need treatment. Dog arthritis does not have a cure. Nonetheless, doing nothing about it is a welfare concern. Dog arthritis causes chronic pain, which can in some cases lead to a poor quality of life.  Veterinary medicine has advanced in leaps and bounds in the past decade and now there are many treatment options that can help alleviate the pain and manage the disease’s progress. You should always consult with your veterinarian to confirm the correct diagnosis of dog arthritis and to rule out anything more sinister before pursuing treatment.

Overall, it is recommended that dog owners be well informed and up-to-date with the recommended treatment options for dog arthritis so that your dog can stay happier for longer. You can visit my blog www.dogarthritisblog.info for much more information on this very important dog disease.

Dr. Christoper Durin is a veterinarian and creator of Dog Arthritis Blog, the authority site for dog arthritis.

Western Canada has already had its fair share of winter, despite the fact that it is only November. Rather than sing the winter blues, we decided to use this opportunity to test drive the Dogger in the snow and ice to see how it handles.

I have heard some great things from our Dogger customers in Alberta who were hit much harder than we were here in the Vancouver area, but I wanted to see for myself just how well it operated in these conditions.

Boy, the Dogger did not disappoint. The 12 inch air-filled tires plowed through the snow with ease and the traction was wonderful. Maybe winter won’t be so bad after all.

Check out the Dogger video

p.s. If you do decide to brave the winter and go for a stroll with your Dogger, please don’t forget to bundle your dog up extremely well so they stay nice and warm. A tip I mention in the video is to take advantage of the rain cover to help block out some of that cold wind.

Do you have a Dogger? Please share your story with us

Wow what a day this was! We received our first production run of our Doggers, our new dog stroller that I believe will set a new standard in the dog world. We had a long list of excited customers waiting on these so I could not unload them fast enough Since this day was so special for us I wanted to capture it on video so you could be right there with me.

The Dogger is now being shipped to our excited customers and I cannot wait to get everyone’s feedback. I just know they will love it.

To get your own Dogger or for more info on what all the buzz is about please visit: Dogger – Dog Stroller

We try not to think that our dogs will grow old but they do. And just like people, dogs will experience a lot of changes as they reach a certain age. One such change is that your dog will most likely develop dog arthritis. As dog owners, it is our responsibility to understand, prepare, and adjust to what our dogs will go through once they have reached a ripe old age.

How old is old?

The popular belief states that one dog year is equivalent to seven human years. This means a dog that is nine years old, in human years, is actually sixty-three years old. However, this system may not be an accurate measure. In reality, the size and the breed of the dog plays an important factor in dog aging. Studies have shown breed differences as follows:

• Smaller breeds have a longer life expectancy than their larger counterparts. Smaller breeds such as terriers become geriatric (late adulthood, 60+ in humans) at about eleven years,
• Medium-sized dogs become geriatric at ten
• Large dogs become geriatric at about seven.

Changes in Your Senior Dog

Dogs age similarly to humans. When your dog reaches its geriatric stage, its body undergoes changes. For example, blood vessels in the brain become less elastic and the lung capacity is decreased. This means less oxygen goes to the brain affecting your dog’s memory and learning.

Below are some physical changes caused by aging:

• Your dog may experience loss of hearing and loss of sight (due to cataracts).
• Your dog’s heart may weaken as the valves of the organ lose their elasticity. As a result, your dog will become less active.
• Your dog may lose hair or the hair may whiten. The skin becomes thinner making it more susceptible to injury, although calluses will develop in the elbows and the skin on the foot pads thicken. The nails may become more brittle.
• Your dog will be at risk for gum disease and tooth loss.
• Your dog will be prone to gastrointestinal and urinary problems.

Another significant health issue for senior dogs is dog arthritis. This will affect your senior dog’s mobility as the joints may get inflamed and painful due to cartilage deterioration over years of wear and tear. Senior dog that are overweight and inactive are especially susceptible.

Caring for Your Senior Dog with Dog Arthritis

When you notice that your senior dog is having problems moving around, it necessary for you to consult a vet so that the proper diagnosis can be done. For dog arthritis, early detection is crucial so that cartilage damage can be controlled and tissue rehabilitation can be started in the earliest possible time.

Given that your senior dog has been diagnosed with dog arthritis, working with your vet to create a treatment plan will help your pet live a happy and healthy life regardless of the disease. For this to happen, as a dog owner it is important to manage your dog’s weight through proper diet and exercise:

• Change your dog’s diet. Make sure that its medical needs are met. It would also be better to give smaller meals throughout the day, rather than two big meals. There are some fantastic ‘life stage’ foods on the market.
• Your dog may not be as energetic as it used to be; however, exercise is still needed. Short walks in the morning and in the evening are highly recommended. This will promote blood circulation around the joints as well as strengthen your dog’s muscles.

Caring for your senior dog is not easy, especially when your pet is suffering from dog arthritis. However, knowing what to expect and knowing what to do will greatly help you with this task. We can still provide our pet with the same love and affection through the later stages of its life.

Dr. Christoper Durin is a veterinarian and creator of Dog Arthritis Blog, the authority site for dog arthritis.