What Owners Must Know About Ageing Dogs: Muscle Loss, Weakness, and Arthritis

As our beloved dogs enter their senior years, watching them slow down can be heartbreaking. Many owners attribute changes in mobility to "just getting old," but conditions like muscle loss and arthritis are common and manageable with the right knowledge and care. Understanding how these issues develop and impact your furry friend empowers you to take proactive steps for a happier, more active life.

Hench Range from Advanced Animal Care: This superior muscle and nutritional support supplements help prevent muscle loss in ageing dogs by providing essential nutrients that maintain muscle mass, strength, and joint flexibility, while aiding recovery and overall well-being during palliative stages

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How Ageing Dogs Lose Muscle and Become Weak

Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of lean muscle mass, is a natural but progressive process in senior dogs, often starting around 6-7 years old and accelerating in larger breeds.

As dogs age, their bodies become less efficient at protein synthesis—the process that builds and repairs muscle—leading to thinner appearances, especially in the hind legs and hips.

Factors like reduced activity, hormonal changes, and increased autophagy (cellular breakdown) contribute to this weakness, making everyday tasks like standing or walking more challenging.

Without intervention, this muscle wasting can lead to overall frailty, reduced endurance, and a lower quality of life.

The Development of Arthritis in Senior Dogs

Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, affects up to 80% of dogs over eight years old and stems from the gradual breakdown of joint cartilage due to wear and tear.

As dogs age, their ability to repair damaged cartilage diminishes, leading to inflammation, bone spurs, and fluid buildup in joints like the hips, elbows, and knees.

Risk factors include genetics (e.g., hip dysplasia), obesity, previous injuries, or abnormal joint development, which exacerbate friction between bones and cause chronic pain and stiffness.

This degenerative condition is progressive and irreversible but can be slowed with early management.

How Muscle Loss Slows Dog's Down and Weakens Them Further

Muscle loss directly impairs mobility by reducing strength, balance, and stability, creating a vicious cycle where decreased activity leads to even more atrophy.

Senior dogs may struggle with rising from a lying position, climbing stairs, or maintaining gait, increasing fall risks and joint strain.

This weakness often compounds arthritis, as weaker muscles fail to support joints properly, accelerating degeneration and pain.

Over time, it can result in fatigue, weight gain from inactivity, and metabolic issues, further diminishing your dog's vitality.

Supplements from Advanced Animal Care's Hench Range for Ageing Dogs

The Hench Range offers targeted supplements to combat muscle loss and support senior dogs' health. Here are some key options and why they help:

Hench Range Empower Maximum Muscle Gainer: This multi-function supplement with 19 muscle-building ingredients promotes protein synthesis and quick recovery, helping reverse atrophy in ageing dogs by building strength and preventing further loss without steroids or side effects.

It's ideal for seniors as it provides nutritional support to maintain vitality and combat hind-leg weakness.

Canine ComfortComplete: Formulated for ageing and palliative care, it delivers essential nutrients to preserve muscle mass, enhance joint flexibility, and reduce inflammation, supporting overall recovery and quality of life in dogs facing age-related decline.

Hench Range Jay Fuel High-Protein Powder: With 70% protein, probiotics, and recovery aids, it boosts muscle growth, energy, and digestion for seniors experiencing appetite loss or malnutrition, helping maintain lean mass and stamina.

These vet-recommended options complement a high-protein diet and low-impact exercise, like swimming, to optimize results.

Always consult your veterinarian before starting supplements. In summary, while muscle loss and arthritis are inevitable aspects of ageing, informed care can make a world of difference. Regular vet check-ups, weight management, gentle exercise, and supportive supplements like those from the Hench Range can help your senior dog stay strong and mobile.

Building Back with Hench Range: Advanced Animal Care's Hench Range can help rebuild lost muscle through targeted formulas that enhance strength, speed recovery, and provide vital nutrition, leading to improved mobility and a better quality of life—check out the products here:

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