Dog dental health, longevity research, and what I wish I had known before Cooper.
Senior Dog Not Eating: Causes, When to Worry, and What to Try When Cooper stopped finishing his breakfast at age 8, I thought he was just being picky. Three months later, we got the cancer diagnosis. I’m not sharing this to scare you—most senior dogs who skip meals don’t have cancer—but to tell you that […]
What Do Dogs Do When They Are Dying: Signs and What to Expect When Cooper was in his final weeks, I wish someone had told me what to actually look for. Dogs don’t die the way they show it in movies—there’s usually a gradual decline with specific physical and behavioral changes that, once you know
Dogs don’t complain when they hurt. When Cooper started slowing down on our morning walks, I thought he was just getting older — but arthritis had been quietly stealing his mobility for months, and I hadn’t read the signals. Senior dogs mask pain instinctively, a survival trait from their wolf ancestors. They won’t yelp or
When my vet first prescribed gabapentin for Cooper’s arthritis pain, I did what I always do: I spent the next three hours reading every study and veterinary resource I could find. Gabapentin is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for senior dogs, and if your vet just handed you a bottle, you probably have
Best Glucosamine Supplements for Dogs: Which Form and Brand Works Best? After watching my golden retriever Cooper struggle with stiff hips in his later years, I’ve spent hundreds of hours reading veterinary studies on joint supplements. The short answer: glucosamine sulfate with chondroitin has the strongest clinical evidence, and you want at least 20 mg
Best Senior Dog Multivitamins: Do Dogs Actually Need Them? When Cooper started slowing down at seven, I bought every supplement I could find, convinced I could reverse time with the right pill. The honest answer I wish someone had told me: most senior dogs eating quality commercial food don’t need a multivitamin, but some absolutely
Dog Periodontal Disease: Stages, Health Risks and What Your Vet Can Do By the time I noticed Cooper’s bad breath wasn’t just ordinary dog breath, he was already in stage 3 periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease is a progressive bacterial infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth—and it’s the most common health condition
How Much Does Dog Dental Cleaning Cost? What to Expect at the Vet A professional dog dental cleaning typically costs between $300 and $1,500, with most pet parents paying around $500 to $800 for a standard procedure. When I finally learned what killed my golden retriever Cooper — oral melanoma that we caught too late
Best Friends National Conference: Guide for May 7-9, 2026 I’ve been watching Best Friends Animal Society for years — ever since I started researching everything I could about dog health after losing Cooper. When I heard they’re hosting their National Conference in Salt Lake City this May, I knew I had to put together a
Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs: Is It Worth Buying When Your Dog Gets Older? I spent $8,000 on Cooper’s cancer treatment in his final year, and we didn’t have insurance. The honest answer is: pet insurance for senior dogs usually isn’t worth it if you’re buying it for the first time when your dog gets