Those of us who share our lives with a dog know that, unfortunately, theirs will probably be much shorter than ours. We must be up to the task and know how to accompany them and make this stage of their ageing as pleasant as possible for them.
To do this, it is important to know how and when to manage old age.
When can I consider my dog as Senior?
This depends on the breed/size of your dog. It is well known that small breeds tend to live longer than large breeds.
- A large sized dog could be considered senior at 7-8 years (even 6 years in the case of giants).
- A medium-sized dog at 9-10 years of age.
- A small dog would enter this stage at 11 years of age.
It is important to take this into account, among other things to adapt their diet, as the requirements at this age are very different and a proper Senior diet will help to prevent overweight and take care of, among other things, their bones and joints.
What can be expected at this point?
1- Gradual deafness and/or blindness are common:
We may notice that their visual or auditory acuity is being lost, often irreversibly. They will need more affection and love than ever and a stable environment to orientate themselves and not feel lost, i.e. their bed and food always in the same place.
2- Changes in skin and hair:
The coat starts to turn white and calluses and/or warts appear, as well as lesions on the pads. Various types of nodules or cysts may also appear. It is important to consult your Veterinarian for any appearance of skin lesions.
3- Increased sleepiness and tiredness:
It is important to respect his time, let him rest when he needs to and, if he asks for it, reduce the number of walks, especially the distance, rather than the frequency or duration. In fact, he will need to go out as often or more often than before (as he may find it difficult to hold his urine) but these walks can be shorter or quieter if he needs them to be. He can go out for the same amount of time, but he may prefer to stop and lie down in the shade of a tree rather than walk for several kilometres. We must adapt to his new needs.
4- Appearance of tartar and dental problems:
Especially in small breeds, we should consult with your Veterinarian, as a timely cleaning can often save teeth.
5- Weight gain:
It is common for reduced walking and exercise to lead to weight gain, so it will often be necessary to adjust the diet.
6- Bone and joint problems:
Rare is the senior dog, especially large and giant breeds, that does not have problems of this type when they reach old age. Weight gain does not help, so when these problems appear it is important to look for a diet that is not only low in fat but also takes care of bones and joints to mitigate the frequent dysplasia, arthritis or osteoarthrosis, such as Lenda Vet Mobility & Joints, which with a large amount of chondroprotectors, collagen and natural anti-inflammatory, strengthens the joints and relieves discomfort, improving their quality of life.
7- Urinary problems:
The appearance of incontinence is also to be expected at this age. It is important to consult your Veterinarian for any disorder in their urination pattern (changes in colour, more/less urination than usual, greater/lesser quantity or signs of pain) and to rule out kidney problems (Lenda Vet Renal), urinary problems (Lenda Vet Urinary) or pathologies such as diabetes (Lenda Vet Diabetic). Once ruled out (or treated if this is the case), it is important to bear in mind that it is intrinsic to their age that it is difficult for them to hold their urine, so, as we said, we must offer them more outings, even if they are brief, and of course support, understanding and never scold them.
Care and support for ageing dogs
At this stage, more than ever, they will need an extra dose of cuddles and affection. They will demand it, often becoming more dependent and cuddly, but also calmer and more stable. They enjoy your company more than anything else and we must provide them with security, calm and support in all the changes they undergo, adapting our life and customs to their changing needs, because after a shared life, they deserve no less.
