Living with your older Coton

There was a recent post to the website asking advice about caring for a senior dog. It dawned on me that we spend a lot of time talking about puppies, but very little about our aging dogs. It’s the hardest part of being a pet owner; watching the dog you love show signs of slowing down and aging. It's a reminder that their physical time with us is limited.

According to the ASPCA, a small breed dog like the Coton is considered a senior when it’s just 7 years old. Yikes – that means Luc is a senior. How did that happen? The time goes so fast. If I have to be honest, he is showing some signs that he’s getting older - not being able to jump on the bed without a stepping stool and needing help getting in and out of the car.

The Coton averages a lifespan of 14-17 years, and I’m sure you want those years to be as happy and healthy as possible. Awareness is key. It’s hard to notice changes in someone you see every day since the changes usually come about slowly. Notice any changes in your dog – big or small. Are there changes to eating or drinking habits? Is he moving slower? Does he seem more anxious?

Here are some tips to help your Coton transition into the senior years smoothly.
• As your Coton gets older it becomes even more important to have a thorough exam every year in order to prevent any unnecessary health issues down the road. Basic diagnostic tests (blood, urine, hearing, and vision) can help evaluate whether medical intervention is necessary.
  
  

• Make sure your dog gets enough water. Awareness is the key; give enough to hydrate and keep his body functioning properly, but notice if he is drinking too much because this can be a sign of kidney problems or diabetes.
  
  

• If you live in extremely hot or cold climates, make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible. In the heat, don't let your dog stay out or over-exercise. Make sure he has access to plenty of water while he's out in the heat. In the cold, your older dog can be much more sensitive to the cooler air than he was when he was younger. Don't let him stay out too long and you may want to keep him warm with a sweater or snow boots.
  
  

• It’s important to reduce stressful situations and abrupt changes in daily routines with an older Coton. Dogs aren’t any different than people – change can be very nerve-racking.
  
  

• If you have to leave your pet alone for any period of time, have someone he knows and trusts come and take care of him. Older dogs may need more attention than young ones so it's not advisable to leave them alone too long. If you have to board your dog, get him used to the kennel/dog sitter by taking him for short trips to the kennel/sitter BEFORE you have to leave so he's not left alone in a strange place with strange people.
  
  

• Understand the dietary needs of your older Coton. High fat foods and dairy like milk and cheese can cause weight gain and digestive problems as your dog ages. Feeding table scraps can be more of a problem for older dogs who get less exercise. Many dog foods on the market are geared toward seniors and take into account the right amount of easy to digest protein, vitamins, fat content, and calories. Ask your vet for recommendations for switching dog food and make sure you gradually incorporate new foods to minimize upset stomachs.
  
  

• Are you taking care of your Coton’s teeth? Did you know that good dental hygiene can actually help your dog live longer? There are many products on the market to help you care for your dog’s teeth. You can also schedule a dental cleaning at your dog's vet.
  
  

• Exercise is not just for puppies; dogs need regular exercise at every age. Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure, aid in digestion, improve joint flexibility, and keep him stimulated and happy. Daily walks can do wonders for your dog, but remember to reduce the intensity of exercise as he gets older. Always make sure to provide lots of water and monitor your dog for signs of stress or fatigue.
  
  

• Supplements can be a helpful solution if your dog is showing symptoms of joint pain. Work with your vet for solutions to ease any pain your dog may be having.
  
  

Do you have any tips on helping your aging Coton? Or do you have a question about your senior dog? You can add your ideas and concerns here.

Celebrations:

Happy Birthday Wishes:

Happy Birthday to all our Coton friends who celebrate birthdays in January and February:

January

Name	Gender	Home Town	Birth date
Seminole	Female	Pensacola, FL	1/1/11
Bevo	Male	Woodlands, TX	1/3/12
Bailey	Male	Grayslake, IL	1/5/11
Theodore	Male	Canada	1/5/11
Kyra	Female	Rocklin, CA	1/7/12
Cassi	Female		1/8/10
Olivia	Female	Leominster, MA	1/9/09
Eleana	Female	Leominster, MA	1/9/09
Angelique	Female	San Diego, CA	1/9
Truffle	Female	Las Vegas, NV	1/10/10
Naya	Female	Santa Rosa, CA	1/10/10
Emma	Female		1/11/11
Dottie	Female	Plainwell, MI	1/12/14
Athena	Female		1/15/10
Wishes	Female	Tumwater, WA	1/16/12
Mirabella	Female	Columbus, OH	1/17/05
Barney	Male	Point Pleasant Beach, NJ	1/18/11
Gleason	Male	Centereach, NY	1/18/13
Barkley	Male		1/23/10
Quinn		Westland, MI	1/23/13
Candy	Female	Kirkwood, MO	1/26/11
Coco	Female		1/27/08

February

Name	Gender	Home Town	Birth date
Katinka Joy	Female	North Bethesda, MD	2/2/12
Betty	Female	Middletown, MD	2/3/12
Mac	Male		2/7/09
Calliope	Female	Lancaster, NY	2/7/10
Palin	Female	Sun Valley, CA	2/8/10
Alexia (Lexi)	Female	Powder Springs, GA	2/8/11
Jasmine	Female	Pittston Township, PA	2/9/09
Austin	Male	Hilo, HI	2/9/11
Toby	Male	Palmyra, NY	2/10/11
Manju	Male	Illinois	2/10/11
Pixie-Dust	Male	Wilts, United Kingdom	2/11/11
Prince	Male	Bear, DE	2/11/13
Zorro	Male	Laguna Hills, CA	2/13/08
Tank	Male	Quincy, MA	2/18/11
Jazzy	Female	Nashville, TN	2/18/11
Bella	Female	Oceanside, NY	2/21/11
Louie	Male		2/21/07
Surf	Male	Half Moon Bay, CA	2/21/11
Jasper	Male	Oakland, CA	2/29/08

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