Have you noticed your dog slowing down as they’ve gotten older? Are they playing less, jumping less, or sleeping more? Has their behavior changed–becoming less social or tolerant of petting? What about house training or relationships with other pets? Not as good as they used to be?
Dogs can experience many changes as they get older. Good news—this period in life does not have to be all downhill. There are many ways to support your senior dog and allow them to continue living their best life.
What is a Senior Dog?
Definitions vary, but dogs usually start being labeled as “senior” between 6 and 9 years old. Larger breeds will be early, smaller breeds may be a bit later. Age is just a number, though, so it’s important to be aware of possible age-related changes and signs of pain, even while your dog is young. Everything is easier when we identify concerns early.
Age-related Changes
Just like in humans, a senior dog can experience a wide range of changes, and each dog will experience aging differently. Physical, sensory, and cognitive changes are all very common. You might notice changes in:
- Mobility: jumping less, slower on the stairs, less active play, slow to get up from resting
- Eating: appetite changes, chewing on only one side, dropping food from their mouth while chewing
- Social Behavior: more or less interested in petting/attention, lower tolerance for interactions with other pets or people
- Body Handling and Grooming: sensitivity in certain areas, less tolerance for brushing or being picked up
- Confidence: less willing to explore or move around (even in familiar areas), hiding more often
- Elimination: going more or less often, going in the house when previously housetrained
- Sleeping: changing in sleep/wake patterns
- Noise Sensitivity: increased stress/fear around loud noises, including storms and fireworks
- Cognition: seeming confused, getting lost in the house, becoming more “stubborn”, not responding to known cues or household patterns
While all of these changes can be considered normal in aging, that doesn’t mean you or your dog need to suffer because of them.
Talk to Your Vet
It’s worth repeating–changes related to aging can be normal AND there are many ways to support your dog to feel more comfortable as they age.
Talk to your vet about pain management and support for cognitive function. The DISHAA assessment can be used to outline observations and can help you be comprehensive. This checklist of signs of pain can also help you notice and report changes.
Getting older does not mean you have to be in pain or stressed!
Environmental Changes
Making some household modifications can also help your dog be comfortable in their senior years.
- Add stairs or ramps to furniture that your dog is allowed to get on
- Use rugs, yoga mats, or other floor coverings to provide non-slip surfaces, particularly on stairs or in play areas
- Add extra resting spaces, including warm spots (such as heated beds) and cool options (cooling mats)
- Elevate food/water bowls (to make them easier to reach) and resting places (to make them easier to get up from)
- Provide a safe space for your dog to rest away from other pets, kids, and/or guests
- Restrict access to areas where your dog can’t safely navigate (stairs, etc)
- Add nightlights to areas your dog might have to navigate in the dark
Keep Up the Enrichment
Just because your dog is older doesn’t mean they don’t need to use their brain, body, and senses. Enrichment is important for well-being, stress reduction, and supporting cognitive health.
If your dog is losing interest in things they previously enjoyed, you might need to make a few adjustments for them.
- Try softer and/or smaller toys and chews
- Slow down play (and make sure surfaces are non-slip)
- Move a tug toy or flirt pole more slowly
- Toss the ball or frisbee a shorter distance
- Hide a toy to be searched for, rather than playing fetch
- Do fewer repetitions of a game
- Shift physical activity to more mental stimulation
- Food puzzles
- Training games
- Nose work
- Explore puzzles and activities that require different solutions
- Example: nudging with their nose, instead of needing to stand on three legs to manipulate something with a paw
- Increase novelty
- Taste test a new (dog safe) food
- Go for a sniff walk in a new location
- Teach a new trick
Senior dogs can experience a wide range of changes in their body, mind, and behavior. While these can present challenges, there are many ways to help your aging dog feel comfortable and happy. Be grateful for your dog’s aging–it means more time with them!
If your dog has a behavior problem that you need help solving, consider scheduling a private behavior consultation.