Elderly Dog Care: What To Expect

Pets get old just like we do. If your dog is approaching senior citizen status, you may notice some changes in their activity and behavior.

Oh, My Aching Joints – Ageing Dogs and Joint Stiffness

For years, your faithful companion has been bounding around the house begging to go on a walk. Nowadays, you beat him to the door. Especially in larger breeds, stiffness and reduced mobility can be a real issue as the dog ages. Thankfully the use of vet-recommended supplements such as Glucosamine can help. Some vets recommend baby aspirin. Do not administer any medication to your dog without consulting a veterinarian first – some dogs have severe reactions to medications, especially aspirin.Holistic-minded vets may also recommend herbal supplements. If dosing your dog with medication isn’t your thing, there are massage therapists, acupuncturists, and even Reiki specialists who work on dogs. Again, consult your vet for recommendations.

A Little Help Here, Please – Helping the Ageing Dog Get Around (and Up)

Another issue is stairs. Elderly dogs often have a hard time going up stairs. Consider moving their bed downstairs to a comfortable (not isolated) part of the house. Make them feel they’re still part of the family. For those lucky dogs that sleep on their owner’s beds, relegating the dog to the floor after all these years will not go over well. Owners: make sure your backs are strong and healthy or consider some sort of ramp or platform to get the dog up and down. Some dogs have difficulty going down the stairs as their hindquarters become somewhat unreliable. Remain patient with your furry friends. Don’t try to rush them, push them, or prod them as this could result in injury. Getting old is hard enough.

Keep ‘Em Moving – Exercise Could Be Your Ageing Dog’s Best Friend

As a dog ages, many owners are tempted to restrict his or her activity. This isn’t necessarily a good idea. Exercise and fresh air can help many health issues such as stiff joints, heart disease, and unhealthy weight gain. Consult your veterinarian as to what types of exercises are appropriate for your dog – no going flat out on a treadmill but a swim or a long, easy walk might be better. An active dog is a happy dog, generally speaking.

Sudoku for Dogs? – Keeping the Elderly Dog Challenged and Interested in Life

If your champion Frisbee dog can no longer fly through the air, don’t relegate him to his bed in front of the television. Find something else to challenge his mind. Play hide and seek, play fetch (gently), teach your old dog new tricks. The old adage about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks is nonsense. Our dog learned to shake paws at age nine and to roll over at eleven. He loves new games although he cheats at cards.

Where Are My Glasses? – Vision and Hearing Loss in Ageing Dogs

Is Fido running into things? Not coming when you call? Like humans, vision and hearing loss is quite common in senior dogs. Although vision loss can be detected early, surgery to remedy it is expensive. Dogs have amazing memories and usually only run into new obstacles in a house. Even outside, they will show a remarkable sense of where they are and what is around them. However, use caution when taking the dog to an unfamiliar area; use a leash.

Hearing loss can lead to confusion – sometimes the dog will hear but cannot discern where the sound is coming from. Ordinary sounds like a person coughing or a washing machine running can cause extreme stress; conversely, a dog that was once terrified of the trash truck might snooze right through garbage day. A confused dog can be easily stressed and might run away or into a street. Also, a dog who cannot hear well could be easily startled. Startled dogs often react with their teeth. Use extreme caution when stepping over a sleeping elderly dog.

Not Dazed and Confused - Strokes and Heart Failure in Elderly Dogs

Last fall, our elderly dog refused to move for about 14 hours. Once he did, he didn’t seem to recognize us. When he got lost in our tiny back yard we rushed to the vet. Diagnosis: He’d had a stroke. Signs to watch for are confusion, disorientation, lack of interest in food or water, unresponsiveness and lethargy. Dogs who have had strokes often recover fully.

Dogs rarely have true heart attacks because of the way fats are processed by their bodies. Far more common is congestive heart failure caused by heart disease. Symptoms may be lethargy, excessive panting, and lack of appetite. Generally speaking, heart failure in dogs does not result in sudden cardiac arrest; it is a slow process leading eventually to death. Consult your veterinarian for ways to treat it. You might be surprised to hear that exercise is often recommended.

The Golden Years– Making Life Comfortable for Your Ageing Dog

Dogs get many of the same ailments and complaints as they get older as humans. Make sure the dog gets regular checkups at the vet and note any behavioural or physical changes. Provide a soft comfortable bed and lots of hugs. Serve good food and clean water (again, check with your vet regarding age-appropriate food). Don’t push your best friend past his or her limits and with luck they will be around to lick your face for years to come.