Caring for your older dog

Caring for your older dog

As you know - well, as you should know, and need to find out if you don’t - all puppies eventually become grown-up dogs, then very grown-up dogs. Just like older humans, dealing with older dogs carries with it a unique set of challenges, needs, and responsibilities.

So he’s got a few gray hairs! Don’t we all? What’s the big deal?

Just because your pooch doesn’t show you all of the effects of his increasing age doesn’t mean they’re not real. Dogs aim to please and would rather play than nurse a sore limb, so why would you think they’d make their pain in aging obvious? Many times, owners realize that their dogs are suffering from the effects of aging before the dogs themselves, particularly dogs that have a very playful, rambunctious nature. Your pup doesn’t really have a concept of time (ever wonder why he’s just as happy to see you after an hour apart as he is when you’ve been gone for a week?), so he doesn’t understand what’s happening to his body. He may be confused about the pains he’s feeling, and he’ll look to you to help him deal with them.

Even though modern veterinary medicine can help your pooch live a much longer, healthier life than he could have even 20 years ago, he’ll still eventually make it to the last few years of his life. While the most obvious signs of aging occur on the outside - lighter fur on his snout, face, and throughout his coat - there are many changes going on inside his body. Although you can’t see the changes themselves, you’ll probably start to notice the symptoms. You may just notice that he’s slowed down a bit, that his reflexes are a little more sluggish. He may stop eating quite as much but, mysteriously, he still gains some weight. You call and call his name, but he won’t pay attention unless you’re within five feet of him. Then there are the symptoms that can trouble even the most stoic dog owner.

The eyes that once lit up and sparkled so much you thought you could see them from miles away are now slower, dimmer, and maybe even cloudy. He may run into walls and doors every now and then, and his teeth and breath are getting progressively nastier. Maybe he’s started having accidents on the carpet or seems to forget that he’s not allowed in certain rooms. Not a pretty picture, huh? Well, think about your older human friends and family. It’s not fun to watch them get older, but it’s inevitable. The important thing is to remember that this is your pup, he doesn’t understand what’s happening to his body, and he needs you. What can I do? I’m not Father Time. No, but you can certainly make the years you have left with him more comfortable. Make it a priority to spend more time with him. During that time, give him casual examinations by running your hands over his coat and checking for lumps on and below his skin.

If you notice discharge from any area - particularly if it smells or has an odd texture - call your veterinarian immediately. Check his joints routinely for swelling, as arthritis and other joint problems can make an elderly dog feel even older. Unlike his younger years, your pooch won’t be able to recover as quickly from illness and injury. This means you need to be quicker on the draw when contacting your vet, as even the most severe problems can often be cured or improved if detected soon enough. Keep his stress level at a minimum by reducing the level of outside activity and turmoil in his life. Refrain from things that seem simple, like rearranging the furniture, as the extra commotion can turn up his nerves and reduce the amount of good his immune system can do against outside invaders.

If his vision is deteriorating even a small amount, he can easily lose track of new furniture locations and bump into more and more things as he walks around. If you suddenly started losing your vision, would you want people changing the layout of your home without consulting with you? Probably not. Because his energy level is lower, it may seem rational that his activity level should reduce with it. This isn’t the case. Aging can be slowed down substantially or made less painless by regular exercise and good health. While he may not chase Frisbees or cats like he used to, he’d still love daily brisk walks with his owner. These can have a great effect on his overall health, too.

Since they’ll keep his muscle tissue up, his metabolism will increase and help burn off that extra fat. Regular exercise can also help alleviate joint problems (as long as it’s not too strenuous). Just as with overweight dogs, swimming is a fantastic workout option for the aging pooch. It’s low impact, fun, and burns a ton of calories. Don’t worry if he seems to need to rest a bit longer after workouts, he’s just listening to his body.

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