It can be difficult for any dog owner to consider losing a dear friend, but that day will come and you need to be prepared. When you spend a lot of time with your dog, it's easy to notice dramatic changes in its behavior, but some signs can be dangerous. So without further due, we will discuss 5 of the most noticeable signs that your GSD's life is coming to an end. Let's begin.
1 – Calm and Quickly Tired
As a German Shepherd reaches old age, you will find that they gradually lose their energy and even show disinterest in toys or walks that they used to look forward to. When your dog's life ends, you can often find him lying in quiet places that would be isolated from other pets or people. They also don't want to move as much as they would trying to avoid feeling even more uncomfortably fragile than they already are.
2 – Reduced mobility and balance
Loss of mobility and balance means your dog's muscles will become extremely weak as he ages, plus a lack of natural playfulness and outgoing behavior can only mean the near end of his life. You will quickly realize that your dog will have difficulty moving from one place to another; he will simply feel unsteady on his feet; Therefore, you will find that they are mostly resting on the ground.
3 – Loss of Appetite and Incontinence
When a dog is dying, it tends to lose its appetite; he will eat or drink almost nothing and will result in a noticeable weight loss. This is because their digestive organs slowly shut down as death approaches; At this point, your dog will no longer feel the need to eat or drink and will prefer to lie down to rest. In addition, your dog may also lose control of his bladder so that he urinates where he lies down.
4 – Complete and persistent disinterest
As your dog ages, it loses its senses and will rarely interact with anyone. When a German Shepherd is dying, he will no longer be entertained with toys or treats; Never mistake your dog for loving you less during this time, but understand that he is in pain and will require more of your care and comfort.
5 – Strange breathing
Seeing a change in your dog's breathing can be devastating; Irregular and slow breathing may indicate that your dog is having trouble breathing and may run out of air at any time. When a dog's breathing becomes shorter and slower, it may be a sign that you have to say goodbye as his life is coming to an end.
These are all general signs that a dog is dying, although it is possible for a sick dog to show the same symptoms. If your GSD is young and shows any of these signs, it is recommended that you take him to the vet for early diagnosis and treatment. But if your dog is in his later years and shows no hope of improvement, realize that the most important thing is to be there for your friend when he finally comes to an end. Gently pat your dog and reassure him that everything will be fine, he may not show any reaction, but he will appreciate your comfort.
Is there a way to extend the life of your German Shepherd?
There are many ways to keep your German Shepherd healthy and extend his life. You can do this by keeping your German Shepherd slim. Quality low carb dog food with 18-22% protein is good healthy nutrition. The study found that normal weight dogs of all breeds lived longer (and had a lower risk of dying). More than 50,000 spayed or neutered adult dogs were studied by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2019 and published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. It found that a normal weight dog had a longer life expectancy of 6 months to 2 years and 6 months, which is a lot more time to spend with your best friend than an overweight dog.
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