Keeping Your Dog Healthy as it Gets Older

Just like humans, dogs mature as they get older and have increased health needs. As dogs age, one of the health-related problems they face is decreasing joint mobility. Your dog may be experiencing joint-health problems if he is walking and running slower, having trouble rising or climbing stairs, experiencing stiffness, reluctant to play or is just not as active as he used to be.

If you have noticed that your dog is slowing down, you can offer him a new lease on life by helping him JuMP back into the action with a Joint Management Plan. The first step in helping to improve your dog’s mobility and quality of life is by asking your veterinarian about a personalized plan and incorporating its essential elements into your pet’s life: nutrition, exercise and weight management.

* Nutrition - Proper nutrition is an essential component for your dog’s health. An innovative new dog food, Hill’s Prescription DietR Canine j/dTM, contains key nutritional factors for maintenance of healthy joints, including high levels of omega-3 fatty acids for joint function maintenance, glu-cosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which, provide building blocks for healthy cartilage and L-carnitine for maintaining optimum body weight.

* Exercise - Even dogs that are slowing down need daily exercise. Work with your veterinarian to establish a personalized daily workout routine for your dog. Low-impact exercise can help improve the functioning of your dog’s joints by strengthening surrounding muscles and stabilizing joints. This might involve gentle walks or regular swimming together. Swimming is a great work-out option because it produces minimal stress on joints. Avoid exercise that involves jumping and leaping, which can be very hard on your pet's joints.

* Weight-Management Maintain- ing proper weight means less stress on joints. If you think your pet is overweight, your veterinarian can recommend nutrition and exercise programs to help your dog achieve and maintain an ideal weight.
New research shows that Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid found in high concentrations in fish oil, can help maintain joint function. Prescription DietR Canine j/dTM, which contains the highest levels of total omega-3 fatty acids of any therapeutic food for dogs is available only through veterinarians.

By incorporating these key; elements into your dog’s can regimen, you can help you canine companion get back into action, improving their overall quality of life. For more information, visit www.jumpfordogs.com.