Senior Dogs
For most of us, an older dog with a graying muzzle is a beloved family companion. We can never forget all of the happy years we’ve shared with them and how our lives are intertwined. But as our dogs age they can have some special needs, too. As our dogs get older their senses can start to dull, they can develop arthritis and other joint problems, and they may develop some other problems that can affect their quality of life. Here are some things to watch for with your senior dog and ways to make his life better as he gets older.
ONE; As your dog gets older many of his senses may undergo some changes. He may lose some of his hearing, his sense of smell may not be as sharp, his eyesight may be as good as it once was, and even his sense of taste may dull. All of these changes can affect his behavior and actions. For instance, if your dog’s eyesight is reduced or if he has problems seeing at night, then he may be reluctant to go down steps and stairs. He may not want to go outside to potty at night because shadows may look strange to him or he can’t see well in the dark. Walk with him and guide him in these cases. If your dog’s hearing is going, make allowances. Know that you may need to call him several times or go fetch him. When it comes to your dog’s sense of smell and taste, he uses these senses to encourage his appetite. When they are duller it means that he is less interested in eating. This is one reason why many older dogs eat less and lose weight. Do your best to make your older dog’s meals more enticing. Make them smell and taste better for him. If he eats dry food you can add some canned food to it to make it more appealing. Try topping the food off with some leftovers from your own dinner. Warm the food up to make it more palatable. And remember that gravy always helps. Two; Many senior dogs can experience problems with their teeth. Dental problems are another big reason why some older dogs stop eating. A lot of people assume that it’s normal for an older dog to lose interest in food and lose weight but your older dog may simply need to have a bad tooth pulled. If your dog has bad breath constantly or if you notice any swelling around his face, chances are that he has a bad tooth and it’s probably causing him too much pain to allow him to eat normally. By all means you should take your dog to the vet to have his teeth checked. In many cases the vet can arrange to have the tooth pulled and have your older dog’s teeth cleaned. Your dog should be back to eating normally following the procedure. You will need to discuss with your vet the appropriateness of using anesthetic with your dog, taking into consideration your dog’s age. Some people are not comfortable putting an elderly dog under anesthesia. Three; Your senior dog may experience mobility problems. Many older dogs begin to show signs of having arthritis, just as people do, even if they’ve never had an injury and if they’ve never had any joint problems earlier in their lives. They will simply begin to slow down a little. It may take them longer to get up and down from a nap. They may walk gingerly through the house. They may not feel like trotting and running outdoors. They may be affected by cold weather. If your dog is having some mobility problems there are a number of things you can do to help. First, make sure that your dog is not overweight. Carrying too much weight will worsen arthritis and mobility problems. Second, consider whether your dog might benefit from some common joint supplements such as glucosamine and chrondroitin. These supplements are widely used and many people claim that they do help their dogs. They are even added to some dog foods. If your dog’s mobility problems are serious and you think that your dog may be experiencing pain then you should talk to your vet about the possible use of pain medication. There are some pain medications for dogs with severe arthritis. If your vet feels that your dog’s arthritis is not that severe, he may advise you to give your dog a buffered aspirin occasionally. (But do NOT give your dog ibuprofen or any other over-the-counter pain killer without discussing it with your vet. These drugs can be fatal to dogs.) You can also help your dog by removing or taping down any small area rugs that may cause your dog to slip and fall. Senior dogs need firm footing, so remove things that could be slippery. Some people like to put dog boots on their senior dogs, especially on their rear paws, in order to help them keep their traction on the floor. These boots are especially helpful if you have hardwood floors. There may be other signs that your dog is getting older. Many older dogs will develop a bluish cast in their eyes called lenticular sclerosis. This is not the same as cataracts and it does not seem to affect a dog’s vision. However, dogs can also develop cataracts, which is a milky white haze over the eyes. If your dog does develop cataracts you should take him to see your vet. Some muscle loss is expected as your dog gets older but if you notice a sudden change in your dog you should take him to the vet. It could signal a serious illness. Your dog’s muzzle will gradually turn gray and he will probably have gray hairs in other places. This is more noticeable on some dogs than others because of coat color. Old age will vary from one dog to the next. For a breed that usually lives 9-10 years, old age may begin when the dog is 6. For a breed that lives to be 17, your dog may not begin showing signs of old age until he’s 12 or 13 years old. Dogs are living longer and longer today, thanks to good food and vet care. If you watch for signs that your dog is getting older you can take steps to make aging much easier for him.
