At what age is my dog considered a senior?
That varies depending on the type of pet or the breed of dog. Our larger giant breed dogs become seniors because their lifespan just isn't typically as long as our smaller breed dogs. Now, obviously, that's a general rule, not for every pet. But let's say our Great Danes may be considered a senior at 5 to 6 years old, and then our Yorkshire Terriers might be a senior closer to 10 years old. Our general guideline is eight years and older, but that really does vary depending on the breed.
How long do dogs live?
Again, size matters. As I kind of just answered that, the smaller the breed, typically, the longer the lifespan. Now you do get some exceptions. You know, your French Bulldogs are small breeds, but unfortunately, they don't tend to live often times, you know, 16 to 18 years. We just don't see that. But generally, the smaller the breed, the longer the lifespan. I was surprised when I got my Coton that 15 to 19 is normal for them. 19's a long time, so make sure you're committed. Do your research. You get them; they're for life.
What are common health issues in senior dogs, and how can I recognize them?
I think a big one for our dogs might be joint disease, like arthritis. Especially, again, the larger the pet, we tend to see more joint disease in our larger breed dogs than our smaller breeds, but it can go both ways. Sometimes urinary issues—they can develop incontinence or become more susceptible to a bladder infection. And then there are other things like heart disease. Dental disease is probably a really big one. We can see that in young pets, but older pets, senior pets for sure. So it behooves you to keep an eye on that all throughout their life. So you don't wait till they're 12 and then their teeth are rotting out of their mouth, and it's a major, major deal. So keep track of that. Prevention is key.
How often should I bring my senior dog for checkups?
In general, twice a year is what we recommend for the young and the old. But for our senior pets, if they are on any kind of medication regularly, we may want to see them more often to monitor that with a blood screen. If they have a specific health problem and they're not doing well, they're losing weight, we may want to see them maybe quarterly versus twice a year.
What changes should I make to my senior dog's diet, if any?
Some of that can depend on their activity. If you have a senior pet that's slowing down, if they have certain diseases, we may recommend a prescription diet. We may recommend one that's lower calorie if they have a weight issue. Being overweight and joint disease can go hand in hand, meaning that if they have joint disease and they're overweight, that makes the joint disease worse, the arthritis worse. So it may just depend on the pet and the situation.
How can I help manage my senior dog's arthritis or joint pain?
A big way to help with this is making sure they're at an ideal weight. So making sure they're not overweight, you're not overfeeding, and they're on a good quality diet. That can help a lot. Weight's a big one. It's the least expensive, but sometimes the hardest problem to address. It doesn't require a lot of testing. It's something you just have to have the willpower to do at home. You have to stop feeding them the table food. You have to stop giving them a treat every time they look at you with those sad eyes. You have to measure the food for them and put the work in. Sometimes there are medical conditions that inhibit their ability to lose weight, and of course, we would address that. But a lot of times, it is just an overeating factor. Other ways might be through joint supplements. We have certain prescription medications that can help the joint. Some things you can give at home, some things they come to the veterinarian for. And if needed, some pets need certain types of anti-inflammatory pain medicine. Medications can help, just like you and I, if we have a sore muscle or joint. We might take medications made for us. They make some specifically for pets that help with that pain and inflammation. That being said, you do not want to give your dog Tylenol or Advil. You want to give products that are approved for dogs. They metabolize it differently. Same with cats; you don't want to share our pain meds with them. And you want to make sure what you're treating—why is there joint pain? Is there some kind of serious thing going on, or is it truly arthritis? They can look at x-rays to see arthritis and other issues. So you might want to have it independently and explicitly diagnosed as arthritis.
What signs indicate that my senior dog might be experiencing cognitive decline?
That can sometimes be hard to know, but it may be just a change in their normal behavior. Maybe they aren't as excited to come see you, or they seem to be wandering off to themselves. You might just notice a total change in their behavior. Sometimes it might be their interaction with the pets or the people in the household. Just subtle changes to look out for. If you have a question about it, bring it in and discuss it with your veterinarian.
How will wellness exams change for my senior dog? What do we do differently for older dogs that we don't do for our younger ones?
There are certain things as a veterinarian that I may look for in an older pet that I may not be as concerned about in a younger pet. In particular, cataracts and certain testing that we may want to do in our older patients. Checking the eyes for increased eye pressure or dry eyes. We may look specifically at the urine or imaging to look for problems that might be in our pets as they age more commonly. We do recommend twice a year examinations, and the second one for a senior dog has things that are more dedicated to senior dogs and issues they might have so they can catch them early and either cure, treat, or at least keep them comfortable.
How can I keep my senior dog active and engaged?
A lot of that is starting early with good behaviors and good habits. Having those low-impact, good range of motion activities, like daily walks, is important. You want to make sure the temperature is good for them—not too hot, not too cold, but more so the heat. Especially depending on your breed of dog, if they are brachycephalic (short-faced), their oxygen exchange may be an issue, so you want to be careful not to overdo the exercise with them. Purposeful play and interaction with them would help with the exercise.
What special dental care does my senior dog need?
A lot of it's the same depending on the age, but if you haven't done that prevention, then your pet may have more significant periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss, pain, and infection. But daily brushing is still recommended, as is routine dental care. Any pet over the age of three has a higher percentage of having periodontal disease. I tend to tell clients that the teeth we see are just the tip of the iceberg. Underneath the gums are the roots, and we can't see those without x-rays. We can't fully evaluate the teeth without a pet being sedated. So having those regular sedated dental evaluations, cleanings, and treatments are important for the pet's teeth. As Dr. Cooney always says, your dog's not going to come and go "Ah!" and let you look at everything. They kind of wiggle and slobber, and so a lot of times with dental problems, it is really hard as an owner to really tell that sense of pain. But oftentimes, what we find is when we treat that pain and remove it, or the infection, then owners actually see a difference. So it’s something because it can be gradual and hidden, they may not notice on the front side, but when we take that pain away, we often hear "Oh, they're acting like a puppy again." Owners often say, "I didn't realize the pain they were in because now they're doing things they didn't used to do." We really hear that a lot on dogs and cats. It makes sense; it affects your whole body and how you feel.
How can I tell if my senior dog is in pain or uncomfortable?
Often times, they may just change their behavior. They may be slower to rise, maybe they aren't getting up on the couch or the bed with you when they normally did that. Maybe when you come through the door, they lay on the bed and wag their tail, acknowledging you but don’t greet you and meet you. Maybe they are slower to go up and down the steps or avoid them altogether. Those can all be signs that you might see at home.
What should I do if my senior dog starts losing weight or has a decreased appetite?
The best answer is to find out why. There may be a medical condition that has specific treatment to help with that. Some of that could be pain that we could help to control. Like we talked about for the cats, there might be certain higher-calorie foods that we may talk about if they are losing weight and there's not a specific disease or problem to treat. Or maybe even appetite stimulants that might help to keep that weight on if needed. The cause first—find out why they're not feeling good or why they're losing weight or not eating right, and then it could be a progression. There could be a dental disease issue.
How do I care for my dog's skin and coat as a senior?
Some of that's through diet. Gut health affects a lot of the other health of the body. It might be through certain supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, or through preventatives, making sure that your pet has the proper flea and tick prevention. Ruling out conditions that can affect their skin and coat, like thyroid disease or diabetes, is important. General health wellness checkups and addressing those if they do have allergies—that's a big one where it might affect their coat—are crucial. There may be medicated shampoos or, again, supplements or diet that can help with that.
How can I modify my home to make it more comfortable for my senior dog?
A lot of it is ambulatory. Joint disease is a big one that we see. Making sure if you have hardwood surfaces or linoleum or non-carpeted areas that can be harder for some pets to get up and down. If you have rugs, make sure they're non-slip. Some people even put runners through their hallway to help pets get a better grip when they're walking. Thinking about elevated surfaces like couches or steps—maybe it's a gradual ramp with good footing that you have for them to get in and out to use the bathroom. Maybe it's a couple of steps to get on and off your bed. Those types of things can help with their mobility.
Did you talk about raising their food bowl and their water bowl a little bit?
I didn't, but that's a good one. Especially if they're really tall pets and have to go down low to get food and water. Elevating that can help them.
What are the best ways to monitor my senior dog's health at home?
Some of that could be their food intake. Are their food intake habits changed? Monitoring their bathroom habits, their urine, and their actual consistency. Do they go a nice steady stream, or is it several different spots that they go to when they urinate? Their bowel movements—are they normal consistency for your pet? Are they looser or more firm? Those would be ways. Also, their behavior and day-to-day activity. Do they tire halfway around the block when they used to go the full way? Those could all indicate concerns or changes.
What should I know about end-of-life care for my senior dog?
I think just being aware that end-of-life care is available to try to keep your pet comfortable in their senior years. Whether that may be just a conversation that you have of being prepared when that time comes. What does that look like? Can we keep them comfortable as long as possible? What happens at end of life? Having that conversation with your veterinarian. What do they provide? When the time comes, do they offer in-home euthanasia, or will you be bringing your pet in, and then afterward, what happens? Those are all sort of end-of-life considerations. Are you interested in cremation? Do you have a place to bury your pet? Having those conversations ahead of time can often take a little bit of that stress off in the moment. It is hard when we lose our pets at any point in time, whether we've had them a year or 15 years. Sometimes when we're more stressed or emotional, it's hard to really absorb that information. Having those conversations ahead of time is not always possible. But if you are dealing with hospice or palliative care, that's something you can talk to your veterinarian about.
Are there any supplements that can help my senior dog stay healthy?
I think so. Supplements may be kind of a broad term, but there are some. We talked about cognitive dysfunction—there are cognitive supplements that can help with brain health. There are joint supplements. A lot of times with the diet, if they're on a good quality diet, I don't tend to advocate a lot of supplements because their diets are just so much more well-balanced than what I tend to eat and maybe what most people tend to. Some are healthier than others, but there are some supplements depending on if it's a bladder issue—there are supplements that can help prevent bladder infections and help the health of the bladder. Depending on what the problem is, there might be some good quality ones, but not all are created equal. I do tell clients that a lot of these supplements are not a food or a drug, so there's not a lot of good regulatory systems available for them. You just have to be careful. Do your research. Also, talk to your veterinarian and just be careful what you're giving them. A lot of the foods are age-graded too. You have the puppy, then the adult—like the one I use, Hills, is 1 to 6. Then you have the senior, and they include things that might be important at that life stage as a supplement to your food. So you may not need the extra built-in supplements that you think.
How do I care for a senior dog with dementia?
That can be hard. It can be hard to truly diagnose that's what's going on with your pet. But anytime you have something where they're not acting themselves, you want to keep them safe. So you want to be careful. If they're going outside, keep them on a leash. If they have issues with their hearing, make sure that you don't come upon them suddenly. That could startle them and potentially make them act a way they wouldn't normally act. Maybe it's the vibrations they feel before you actually touch them, and they get startled. If they are deaf, we can make noises on the floor so they know you're coming or know you've come in the door.
We talk about this even with something like if they lose their eyesight—don't change around a lot of stuff. Don't be someone who wants to rearrange your living room furniture because a lot of times they can navigate and do things in their normal environment. If they're suddenly put in a different environment or their environment changes, they may have a harder time adjusting and coping to that. That's blind, deaf, dementia—there are different adjustments you have to make for each one. I know I had a blind and deaf dog, so there were things that we did change the furniture around, and it took him a little while to navigate back through his usual den, but you know, he adjusted quite well. They do well without their hearing and without their sight; they can adapt. But we can do things to help them too.
Can I talk to my veterinarian about senior care for my dog?
If you have any questions about your senior dog, let us know. We know it can be a rough time because you know that it's possible the end is near, and you want to take the best care of them and keep them around for as long as you can, because you're just bonded. So, you know, give us a call, and we can talk to you about it. Individualized care is what we want to do the most—what's right for your pet. They're all different, just like kids are all different and people are all different. Your dogs are different breeds, different sizes, different problems. So they're here to help guide you through those years.
Dog Senior Care - FAQs
What is the difference between a mature dog, a senior dog, and a geriatric dog?
Great question. So the general definition is where the dog is in their life. Our mature dog is no longer a spring chicken, but they are mature, so, for example, a small breed dog may be between the ages of five to seven. A senior dog for a smaller breed (because they tend to live a little longer) would be about 10 to 13. And then our geriatric would be more like 15 to 18. So I know I didn't align those up precisely, but that's the basic timeline.
Our mature, large or giant breed dogs would be more like three to five years old. And so you think about a three-year-old being young, but in a giant breed dog, that lifespan might be 9 to 10 years, so that would be mature. The senior would be more like the six to eight years old, and then the geriatric is 9 to 10 or 11.
Should I encourage my senior dog to exercise and, if so, what kind of exercises and training would be good for them?
Yes. It is good to continue exercising regularly with your dog. Hopefully, your dog would have been conditioned to do that all alone. So that would be good to continue with a normal range of motion, low impact exercises like walking or swimming. We don't want to do a lot of high-impact jumping, twisting, or turning, because that can be a little harder on the joints. So you want to be a bit careful with that. Let them be the judge of that. You don't want to push them beyond their limits, but encouraging your dog to exercise is very good for them.
What kind of nutritional or dietary changes do I need to make for my senior dog?
For our senior dogs, a lot of it goes back to their lifestyle. Think of it like people—if we're a little bit more sedentary, if we're watching movies a little more or sitting around the house a little more, our dog is also likely inside more than outside and not getting quite as much exercise. In this case, the dog will need fewer treats and fewer calories to take in, so we need to be aware of that. We can spoil them a little bit too much with treats. But if they are an active senior pet, then they still might need the appropriate calories. What you want to make sure in general is that they don't gain too much weight. And then we think about our giant or large breed dogs needing joint supplements, that's something nutritionally we can add in, and we often do recommend adding that into the diet along with, perhaps, an omega-3 or fish oil supplement.
Do you need to feed a senior dog senior food?
Yes. That would be a great idea if your pet needed that, and the softer the food, the better. Of course, we would want to address the dental disease directly.
And also, there are senior diets that are marketed to be a little lower calorie. Some have more of the antioxidants and nutrients that our older pets would need, which is why we often recommend transitioning to senior dog food as your dog gets older.
How can I make my home more senior-friendly?
Great question. Again, I go back to thinking about that low-impact lifestyle for senior dogs, so one thing might be adding a ramp to your home if it has many stairs. You want a good grip, as dogs lose their grip. You'll see them splay out, or their limbs or their back end will collapse. If you have carpeted areas, that's usually great traction for them. If you have rugs, you want to make sure there are non-slip surfaces underneath and make sure any stairs have a good footing on them.
Some people will add steps to their bed if their pet likes to sleep with them, so they don't have to jump up or jump down. Also, avoid creating a giant obstacle course for them. If you do have many things in your home, make sure they have a clear path to the door. Sometimes as our dogs age, they can lose vision or hearing. Making those pathways nice and clear for them can help them out, too. If you have a taller dog, raising their dog bowls can also help, as that's less strain on their neck and can help them out overall.
What are some things I can do to make my aging dog a bit more comfortable?
On top of adding the supplements and adjusting the steps in your home, make sure they have a nice, cushy bed to sleep on. I have clients tell me that they have this orthopedic bed right here, and then the pet sleeps right here on the hard floor. Just like us, some dogs prefer different things. But allowing them nice cushioned areas helps because, as they age, their muscle mass may decrease, and they have more joint issues. If your aging dog isn't used to being an outside pet, be careful about how much time they spend outdoors in hot summers and cold winters because they may not regulate their body temperature as much, notably smaller breed dogs.
What are some things that I can do to help extend my senior dog's life?
One important thing would be regular well checks, regular preventative care by keeping them on appropriate heartworm prevention, keeping the appropriate vaccines up to date, having the exam, and then having blood screened. We do all this so, if there are any problems, we can detect those early, and doing so often carries a better prognosis.
You also want to be present and really pay attention to them. I often say I wish our pets could talk to us. And in some ways, they do in those subtle ways. They let us know that they're not feeling well or that they're changing things they're doing at home. Being aware of your dog's behavior changes lets you know if they're having trouble with something.
Dogs also need that mental stimulation of going out for a walk, going somewhere different, going for a ride if they can get in the car, instead of "vegging" in place.
Are there environmental changes I should make as my dog grows older?
Yes, you should offer a more secure location for them to sleep and bedding. If they're not an indoor dog, you may want to have a warmer area for them to sleep in in the evening or at night. As we mentioned, elevating their bowls can help if they have arthritis. You also want to ensure they have easy access to bowls to not have to walk a long way to the water or food bowl.
What behavior changes could I notice in my senior dog?
As your dog ages, they can lose some of their hearing, so you may notice that they don't respond as quickly to you. They may not come. If you're outside, you want to be aware when you're driving that you don't put your car in reverse quickly so that your pet has time to get out of the way. Even if they can hear, they may be slower to rise. Greetings might change too. You could see them wagging their tail and looking at you happily, but they don't get up as quickly to greet you.
Another thing to think about is adding another pet when your pet becomes a senior. Some people want to think about getting a new dog, a new puppy, or even a cat. Consider how your dog might interact with that new addition. Doing so brings some senior dogs back to their puppy stages, and they get active and happy. Some are less thrilled about the new addition, so that's something to think about, and you may even want to do a trial run before you commit to adopting or getting another pet.
Why would my senior dog yowl at night?
There's not just one answer to that. That could be for many reasons. Sometimes, it is because they are a little disoriented. We sometimes see some cognitive dysfunction as pets age, and they may do things that they didn't normally do. Sometimes, things bother them. Things that didn't bother people do so more as they age, and the same thing for pets. A pet that didn't care about thunderstorms may suddenly get more excited, so the vocalization can be one way that they express that.
While we associate vocalization with pain, and that can be accurate, it just doesn't always go hand in hand. Because if you think about it, a lot of times, pets hide their pain. So if a dog's in pain, again, it may be more reclusive or stay in one area versus getting up and getting around. And the crying out or the yowling may be more of a cognitive reaction versus a pain response. Sometimes, it's attention-seeking. They may become a little bit more attached and have more separation issues.
Dog Senior Care - End of Life Questions
How can I evaluate my senior dog's quality of life?
The clients that I interact with are the best judge of their pet's quality of life because they're with them every day. I get asked whether a client's pet is doing well or if I know what the quality of life is. And the things that I talk about is your experience at home. I see a skewed version of that when they're here because they may not be getting up at home, and then the dog comes in the exam room, and they're walking around constantly in the room. And that can be due to anxiety or their adrenaline being up. So what you experience at home and how you see their day-to-day life is an excellent way to judge that.
What are the signs that my dog is dying?
That can be a tough question to answer, but your pet may change their breathing habits; they may go into labored breathing. The dog may not want to eat or drink, or they may not want to move around. Those would be signs that your pet isn't doing well.
How can I tell if my dog is in pain?
Pain can be exhibited in multiple ways. We often think about our pets being vocal. As humans, we may be vocal if we are in pain, but often dogs hide it. Because dogs hide pain, you're looking for more subtle changes from their normal behavior. If the dog is slower to rise when they get up, they could have some arthritic pain. If they change their eating habits and only eat soft food, they may have dental or mouth pain. If your dog no longer greets you when you come in, they don't jump up like they used to, don't sleep on the bed with you, or they sleep on the floor; these could be signs that they're uncomfortable and don't want to move around.
What's the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care is more trying to keep your pet comfortable while still trying to treat your pet, and hospice, in general, is thought of as more keeping them comfortable for that end-of-life stage.
What is euthanasia for a senior dog?
Euthanasia is, in my opinion, making a kind decision love your dog enough to let them go—an end-of-life decision.
What is involved in euthanasia?
We have a conversation about that with you first, and we make sure that you feel that that time is right. I have many of those conversations with my clients about concerns over not wanting to make that decision too soon. But sometimes, the bigger regret is they didn't make that decision soon enough. And so that's a tough call to make. And through that conversation and a physical exam, we may be able to come to the best decision for you and your pet.
The way that we do euthanasia here at the Animal Hospital of Statesville is to make it as painless and as pleasant as possible for something that's not pleasant to think or talk about. We give them a sedative first that just calms them and all but puts them to sleep, and then we give them the final injection.
How can I tell if it's time to euthanize my dog?
There can be many changes. We often associate eating with feeling good, but that's not always the case, especially for our larger breeds. Some large breed dogs - like labs - will eat until the very end. But I tend to say their back half is kind of shut down, as those are the dogs that often can't get up to use the bathroom, and they can't get up to move. They may have pressure sores. They may not have control of their bowels or their bladder, making that a personal decision for everyone. Some dog owners may tolerate more nursing care than others. It ends up being a summation of all those things that diminish the dog's quality of life.
Would it be better to let my senior dog pass away on their own?
That's not an uncommon question. When that time comes, many of us want to think about being able to pass away in our sleep, or I hear many clients say, "I wish they would just go in their sleep," when they know that their dog is uncomfortable and at that end-stage. And again, I believe that's a personal decision. For veterinary medicine, we're able to decide on humane euthanasia when that time comes, so I think that's more of a question directly for the client to talk about personally. But I do feel that humane euthanasia is a kind decision we can make for them.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (704) 872-3625, you can email us, or you can reach out on Facebook. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Senior Wellness Exams
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at 704-802-1280, or you can email us at staff@ahofstatesville.com. Our staff would love to talk with you!