Expert: Jannie Balliett - 1/12/2011

Question
I have a 6 years old female boxer and a 8 years old male boxer.
The male boxer cries all the time. He just wants to be next to me. I know that he has no pain. He is well fed, stays in the house, gets treats and still cries. I wold like to know what can I do to help him kick this habit.

Answer
When did the crying begin? He is 8 years old and in his end stage of life. Boxers live 10 year average.

Have you taken him to the vet to check if he has arthritis or any senior ailment?

If he has arthritis, he is in pain. Does he limp when he gets up from a laying position? Walk little, short steps upon arising?

Do you have stairs? If so, keep all his stuff downstairs so he does not have to climb stairs.

He didn't develop this overnight. And, something is causing it. I would believe pain and discomfort. Maybe he needs to go outside to pee more often at his age, and is trying to tell you. This is one of the first senior ailments to show-- more frequent peeing and the urge (the feeling) to pee even though he might not much at all-- it feels as though he does.

Stomach problems at his age can appear.

Add whole, plain yogurt (no flavors and generic brand is okay) to his food once or twice a day and give it to him by itself as a cool treat between meals and before bedtime as a nighttime snack. Yogurt helps the digestion system with natural good bacteria in it. It will destroy bad bacteria in his stomach and aid in proper digestion. Just as it does for people.

Also, if he feels he is at his end, he will be as close to his master as possible, if that should be the case, and I pray not at 8 years old.

I highly recommend taking him to your vet with your concerns to be sure that there are no problems and senior ailments.

He might need a food for inactive seniors which I recommend.