Expert: Delores Beck - 7/19/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Delores, we adopted a little girl at the age of 7 two years ago.  We live in a great area for walking now and we just aren't sure how far we should walk with her.    We are her third adopted parents since she was originally adopted from a puppy mill at 6.  She is precious and now very well trained (which people should also think about when adopting from a puppy mill, they don't get out of their cages#.  We love her and want her to live a good long life.  We had two litter mates that died at 13 and 13-1/2.  They were spoiled #in a good way)and wonderful from the get go.  This little girl deserves all the best we can offer and we just want to make sure we don't kill her by walking her too far.  Right now we are walking her a little over a mile.  We take water which she doesn't always accept until she is ready. She generally waits until we get home before she will drink water.  Thank you.

ANSWER: She is adorable!  A mile certainly isn't too much at all.  An hour's walk every day is a necessity.  And it's more than just exercise..they meet & greet, they sniff, they travel, and are stimulated both mentally & physically.

Exercise comes right after nutrition if you want her to live a long, happy life.  So I'd ask what you're feeding her?

And at her age (which is still young and she has many years ahead of her) I'd for sure start her on Cosequin to help keep those joints healthy.  My own boys are slightly younger (5 and 6) and they're already on it.

So - lots of exercise & stimulation - a top flight diet - don't over vaccinate or vaccinate annually or for things she's not at risk for - clean the ears regularly and at her annual Wellness check, be sure and do a full 6 panel thyroid test.

And thanks for such a positive question :).  Usually I have to cajole & plead for more than a 5 minute "walk".  Would love to talk to you about diet.  Nutrition is "it" as far as keeping them healthy.  And there are so many newer & better dog foods around now.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank yo so much!  We feed her Senior Medley by Merrick.  The ingredients are real meat, homestyle gravy, not artifical colors, flavors or preservatives.  It has vision element, joint element and breath element.

We do feed her some raw vegtables when whe likes them and some fruit.

We tried giving her Glucosomine in her food but she wouldn't eat it.
Thanks again.
Cheryl & Britney (our 4 legged daughter :)

Answer
Merrick makes a good product.  I'd advise rotating different proteins (variety is key).
Raw veggies are great for treats.  Stick with low glycemic and just a little fruit.

Try the Cosequin "chewables" - first of all, Consequin is the best of all the glucosamine products and more importantly, dogs like the chewies.  You can order online - way cheaper than the vet.

The new raw, dehydrated foods like Addiction - Sojo's Complete and NRG are really excellent.
Delores