5 signs your dog is getting older and needs extra care

Dogs have a unique ability to penetrate our hearts. Unfortunately, just like us, they age, and over time, their behavior and lifestyle undergo major changes.

News Bytes writes: "Understanding the signs of these changes will help you provide your pet with extra care and attention. Here are the 5 features you should look out for first."

Deafness

One of the main symptoms of an aging dog is hearing loss. And if this is the case, you should significantly reduce the time for the animal to walk alone or teach the dog basic orders using gestures.

Frequent or strained urination

This symptom can indicate kidney disease or urinary tract infections. Both are common in middle-aged and older dogs.

Appropriate medication and a change in food can help with urinary incontinence, but you'll need to talk to your vet anyway.

Changing eating habits

As your dog gets older, you may notice that his eating habits have changed, such as taking longer to eat. Consult with experts about this and find a special diet.

As your dog's metabolism slows down with age and his energy level decreases, provide him with a special diet to make a difference.

Blurred eyes and vision loss

One of the most noticeable signs of dog aging is nuclear sclerosis, which results in blurred eyes and obvious vision loss.

However, most often this happens very slowly, and most dogs with this disease can see well into old age.

Increased sleep duration

As dogs age, they tend to sleep more soundly and for longer periods of time. In this regard, make sure that your pet's sleeping place is as comfortable and warm as possible, especially in winter.