Do Dogs Go Thru Menopause is a question that we have been asked many times! This is one of the most controversial issues faced in veterinary medicine of whether or not dogs go through menopause as women do.
Our blog is a great place to read about health, nutrition, and the latest dog fashion. We also provide information about canine diets, grooming, exercise, and more. This particular article focuses on menopause in dogs. It is a question that a lot of you wanted answers to, so we have faithfully obliged.
There are several similarities between canine and human hormones. The fact that both human and dog female species give birth, and their periods, pheromones, and estrogen levels also fluctuate, one has to wonder if it has any relation to menopause.
Seeing that there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding this subject, we decided to set the record straight.
Do Dogs Go Thru Menopause?
The answer is yes, dogs do go through menopause! They go through similar stages as women do as they also have periods and ovulate, get hot flashes, and experience perimenopausal symptoms. However, there are some key differences to take note of. When dogs go through perimenopause, they don’t have PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
They also don’t get emotional or depressed, which are symptoms experienced by the female human species. Although their hormones fluctuate more than a women’s, they don’t become aggressive or irritable. Dogs also have lower levels of estrogen and testosterone. They can still get hot flashes and other menopause symptoms like early senility, but it is not as harsh.
It was a big deal when in 2003, a study came out stating that dogs don’t go through menopause. However, there was no scientific evidence to support that claim. In fact, a study published by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2010 showed that dogs do experience menopause symptoms.
The bottom line is that dogs may not experience all of the changes that humans do with menopause, but they have similar symptoms. If you have a female dog, make sure to take a good look at her so you can catch any early signs of menopause.
Now that you have the answer to, do dogs go thru menopause, knowing how it affects them is important for their healthcare.
How Does Menopause Affect Dogs?
When it comes to how menopause affects dogs, symptoms may vary. For example, many female dogs can go into heat about 2 years after menopause. This means their hormones are still in good balance. However, it is possible that some dogs could be more sensitive than others.
Some dogs are more prone to kidney problems during menopause, while other dogs might have an increased risk for urinary tract infections. However, for most dogs, the symptoms are not as bad as those found in women with menopause.
In fact, many veterinarians feel that pet owners should not be worried about menopause until their dog shows symptoms. If your dog shows symptoms of menopause, there are things you can do to help with the symptoms. Menopause is a normal part of aging for female dogs. As with most medical conditions, there are also several different types of menopause.
The one that is most common in dogs is “estrogen deprivation.” With this type of menopause, the dog’s body doesn’t produce enough estrogen to trigger ovulation. Therefore it is important to have ample knowledge about how menopause affects different breeds of dogs.
Here is a video about everything you need to know about senility in dogs.
What Are The Best Ways To Care For Dogs Going Through Menopause?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the leading cause of death in dogs with menopause is cancer and kidney failure. Many veterinarians recommend that spayed dogs should receive medical care after menopause begins.
“Dog’s hormonal changes are similar to women’s changes,” says Dr. Tod Gordon, a veterinary endocrinologist in Chicago. “And some breeds have an increased tendency to develop certain cancers and metabolic problems.” These include the Boxer, Labrador retriever, Golden retriever, and German shepherd dogs.
The age of your pet matters. If your dog is a small breed, like a Chihuahua, the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer increases with age. Likewise, if it’s a larger breed like a Great Dane, the odds that the animal will have heart disease after menopause increases.
Your veterinarian can provide information about the best diet for your pet at different stages of menopause. It’s important to feed the right food at the right time of day so that the digestion process is efficient in dogs that are going through menopause. You can play a big role in your dog’s healthcare if you have knowledge about how menopause affects them.
What Are The Treatments For Dogs Going Through Menopause?
I have been asked this question from time to time by people who are looking to help their dogs during menopause. Having the right information and knowing what to do to treat them will be of benefit to you and your fur baby.
Some of the most important things for dogs going through menopause are their diets and care. As long as your dogs are getting regular exercise, healthy food, and plenty of love and attention, they will better manage the side effects of menopause. However, when your dog does experience some of the symptoms associated with menopause, there are several remedies you can try.
Listed below are treatment suggestions for dogs with menopause:
If you’re looking for a great solution for your dog’s perimenopausal symptoms, try PeriVet for Dogs.
You also have a choice of hormone replacement treatment for dogs with severe menopausal symptoms.
You can opt for several natural supplements to treat dogs with menopause
You can ask your vet about vitamin B and Calcium for dogs with menopause as it helps soothe symptoms
If your dog experiences excessive shedding, itchy skin, and decreased activity levels because of menopause, your vet can recommend several treatments to ease the symptoms.
Conclusion
Do dogs go thru menopause was the question that you all wanted answers to. Now that you have the information about how menopause in dogs works, caring for them with the help and advice of your vet will be easy.
Dogs are family, and seeing them in any kind of distress is depressing. Therefore we need all the knowledge we can get to ensure that their health is properly maintained. This will ensure that they are properly cared for and treated on time to avoid severe menopausal symptoms.
When a female dog is in her prime (between the ages of 2 and 8), she has the most hormonal activity. Her reproductive system is going through the highest level of activity during this time. As she ages, the level of hormone production decreases as the body tries to protect itself from damage and disease.
However, it’s interesting to note that some breeds are more prone to estrogen dominance than others. Collies seem to be more susceptible to this condition than most other breeds. Always make sure to have your dog’s reproductive health checked out by your veterinarian, as it will keep you a step ahead in their healthcare.
Follow this link to learn about restoring hormone levels in neutered dogs to improve health.
At what age does a dog stop going into heat?
A dog stops going into heat at the age of about 12 years old.
What are signs of menopause in dogs?
The signs of menopause in dogs include loss of appetite, reduced socialization (acting withdrawn and depressed), disinterest in food, increased fearfulness, difficulty sleeping, and others.
What is the life cycle of dogs?
The life cycle of dogs consists of three stages: puppy, adult, and old age. The puppy stage is the beginning of a dog's life. Puppies are very active and playful. Puppies begin to eat solid food at about three months. They reach adulthood at about two years of age. Old age is when a dog reaches the age of seven or eight years. They lose their hair, start to walk slower, get thinner and weaker, and are more susceptible to diseases.
Do dogs have hormone issues?
Yes, dogs do have hormone issues. If a dog is a male, he will have a hormone problem if he has been neutered. If it's a female, she may have some problems if she had never given birth or had been spayed.
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