Rowan Sanderson sits down with Dr. Brendan Clarke, President of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society (RFVS) to discuss how to care for your senior dog.

The rule of thumb is that, the bigger the dog, the “faster” it ages. For bigger dogs such as mastiffs and Irish wolfhounds, five years may already be considered senior. At this age, Dr. Clarke suggests regular visits to the vet to check for the heart, as well as for possible growths such as osteosarcoma and other cancers. Smaller dogs such as Jack Russells may retain their youthful energy all the way up to their 13th or 14th year.

Dr. Clarke names four primary factors that you should be aware of as your dog ages: (1) dental health; (2) weight; (3) signs of cognitive dysfunction; and (4) signs of arthritis.