Older dogs may be slower and less active, developing problems such as
deafness, but you can make your older dog's life comfortable and fun. Here
are some tips on how to do this.
Older dogs have special needs. Their bodies are beginning to slow down
and the wear-and-tear of life has started to take its toll.
The life span of dogs can vary considerably and partly depends on the individual breed, although many other factors are also involved. A good start in life--through proper care and nutrition as a puppy and young adult--goes a long way in supporting your dog's active life and seeing him through to old age.
Because you’re with him every day, you may not notice the gradual onset of old age in your dog. By the time he’s about six or seven years old, he’s probably begun to age. Giant breeds may be considered old by the time they’re about 8 years old, or even younger. Terriers and many mixed breed dogs can live 15 years or more.
Here are a few tips on what you can do to help make your older dog more
comfortable and happy as he ages:
Slowing down
As your dog ages, he is becoming less active and his organs function
less efficiently. Because his body is slowing down, he cannot cope as easily
with disease or other stresses.
You need patience to cope with your old dog, as he is likely to be
slower. He may not be able to hear or see you very well. When he does not
respond, it does not mean he is deliberately trying to ignore you! He needs
a little more help and company now. Be patient; he deserves it.
Exercise
As is often the case with their owners, many dogs become less active
as they get older. Instead of running on ahead as he may have done in his
youth, he is now content to walk sedately by your side. He may tire more
easily. His joints may stiffen and he may get the same sort of muscular
aches and pains that humans experience as they age.
Older dogs may often have deteriorating eyesight and hearing as well
as other senses, including smell, which may also become impaired. They
can easily become disoriented and lost if separated from their owner, so
do not let your dog get too far away from you when you are out walking.
Although he may be less active, it is still good for him to maintain
a moderate level of exercise. This helps to improve his circulation, keeps
his joints moving and ensures he receives plenty of fresh air. It also
gives him enough opportunity to relieve himself, which will help avoid
accidents in the house.
Take your older dog for shorter, more frequent walks, but never force
him to exercise beyond his capabilities. If it is raining or snowing, make
sure you thoroughly dry him off when you get home. If the ground is icy,
or if there is salt or grit on the roads, make sure his paws are washed
and dried well to avoid any irritation, which can lead to sores and infections.
Don't take him out for walks when the temperature is extremely hot
or extremely cold, because his body may not be able to cope. Wait until
conditions are more comfortable and don't stay out too long.
Grooming
Keep your old dog well groomed. This helps to make him feel more comfortable
and healthy. Brushing keeps his coat shiny and free from tangles.
Grooming your dog regularly means you can also check his coat for any
abnormalities such as hair loss, wounds, irritations, and evidence of fleas
or other parasites. You can also feel over his body for any lumps or bumps.
Warts and benign fatty tumors (lipomas) are quite common in old dogs.
They shouldn’t cause any problems unless they’re in a position where they
can cause damage to other bodily areas (on the eyelid, for example), where
they’re causing discomfort, or are easily traumatized. Get your vet to
check any unusual swelling, especially if it’s growing quickly.
Check your dog's nails regularly. Pay special attention to the dewclaws.
These are located on the side of the leg and don’t touch the ground, so
they’re not regularly worn. Sometimes these nails grow in a circle and
back into the nail pad, which can be very painful. You can trim your dog’s
nails yourself, but if you aren’t familiar with the procedure, ask your
vet or a professional dog groomer to do this for you. Periodically examine
your dog’s mouth and check his gums and teeth. Brown tartar deposits on
the teeth lead to bad breath, gum disease and infections, and eventually
can cause the teeth to fall out. Your vet can scale the teeth to remove
the tartar and remove any loose teeth. This usually requires a general
anesthetic. It is far better to prevent or minimise the occurrence of gum
disease by feeding your dog some hard foods as part of his diet throughout
his life. There are also specially developed dog chews that will help to
reduce the build up of plaque and tartar helping to maintain healthy teeth
and gums. You should also brush his teeth regularly, using a special dog
toothbrush and dog toothpaste or a soft cloth or cotton swab dipped in
baking soda.
Making your dog comfortable
Because your dog is less mobile at this stage of his life, he’ll spend
longer periods of time lying down in one place. Make sure he doesn’t lie
in a cold, damp spot or out in the hot sun for any length of time. Keep
his bed in a warm, draft-free location and make sure it’s well padded.
If he lies for long periods on a rough or hard surface, particularly if
he’s quite heavy, he may develop calluses of rough skin over the bony prominences
of the body, such as the elbows and the hocks. These can become ulcerated
and infected. Special orthopedically designed pads are now available from
pet stores. These are great for making your dog more comfortable.
Don't forget that because his eyesight, hearing and sense of direction
may not be quite as good as they were, your dog may become disoriented
easily. So keep changes in the home or in his normal routine to a minimum.
Try not to leave him alone for long periods, particularly in a strange
place.
Feeding your old dog
Because your dog gradually becomes less active as he grows older, he uses less energy. Therefore, it may be necessary to cut down his food portions, or choose a food specially developed for older dogs, in order to keep him at his optimum weight. This is especially important in the elderly dog, since excess body fat will put more strain on the heart, and lungs, and on the muscles and joints. Obese dogs may have a shorter life expectancy.
Regular veterinary checkups
Booster vaccinations are just as important, possibly even more so, in
old dogs as they are in young dogs. Older dogs may be less resistant to
disease and cannot easily fight off infections.
Appointments for boosters also give your vet the chance to examine
your dog regularly (some dogs may need more frequent checkups) and assess
the physical condition of important organs such as the skin, heart, kidneys
and liver.