Senior Dog Care Guide — Living Comfortably with an Aging Dog

Your beloved dog entering their senior years is a testament to the many years you've spent together. A dog's senior years vary by breed and size, but generally speaking, small breeds are considered to enter their senior years around 10-12 years old, medium breeds around 8-10 years old, and large breeds around 6-8 years old. Senior dogs require different care than they did when younger. By correctly understanding the changes that come with aging and providing appropriate support, you can make living with your senior dog more comfortable.

Changes Seen in Senior Dogs

As dogs age, various changes appear in their bodies and behavior.

Physical Changes: Common changes include coat color fading (particularly whitening around the mouth), changes in coat quality (dryness, thinning), loss of muscle strength (especially in the hind legs), joint stiffness, decline in vision and hearing, tooth deterioration, and changes in body weight (either becoming overweight or losing weight).

Behavioral Changes: Changes include slower pace during walks, reluctance to go up and down stairs, increased daytime sleep, slow response to being called, waking up and vocalizing during the night, and increased accidents with housebreaking.

It's important not to dismiss these changes as "just old age," but to consult with a veterinarian. Age-related natural changes can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from disease symptoms, and many conditions can be improved with early detection and treatment.

Creating a Barrier-Free Living Environment

Let's review the living environment so that senior dogs can spend their time safely and comfortably.

Anti-Slip Measures: Hardwood flooring is a major problem for senior dogs. Dogs with decreased muscle strength become more prone to slipping, and without adequate traction, they risk falling and injury. Effective measures include laying down carpets or rugs, applying pet-safe anti-slip wax, and having dogs wear dog socks.

Eliminating Steps and Gaps: For dogs accustomed to jumping onto sofas or beds, install pet ramps or steps. By reducing jumping that strains the joints, you can prevent the worsening of joint diseases. Installing ramps at entrance steps also makes going in and out easier.

Reviewing Bathroom Arrangements: Senior dogs may not always make it to the toilet in time. Increase the number of pee pads and place toilets in multiple locations within the dog's active area. If pet pads have high edges, switch to low-step toilet trays.

Comfortable Bedding: For senior dogs with joint pain, pressure-relieving memory foam mats or care beds are suitable. In winter, choose materials with high heat retention; in summer, choose materials with good breathability. For dogs that have difficulty turning over, care beds with padded side walls are also convenient.

Adjusting Exercise

Senior dogs still need appropriate exercise, but the same amount of activity as when younger puts strain on their bodies.

Rethinking Walks: The basic approach is to shorten distances and increase frequency. Make adjustments such as splitting one 30-minute walk into two 15-minute walks. Walk slowly at your dog's pace and give them plenty of time to stop and sniff. Using their sense of smell activates their brain.

Types of Exercise: Hydrotherapy (underwater training) is gaining attention as an exercise with minimal strain on joints. The buoyancy of water reduces the burden of body weight, making it effective for maintaining muscle strength. It may be offered at animal hospitals or rehabilitation facilities.

Stress-Free Play: Avoid strenuous exercise like frisbee or agility training, and switch to nose work (sniffing games to find food) or gentle ball games. Intellectual stimulation keeps the brain active even when physical activity decreases and can delay cognitive decline.

Senior Dog Health Management

Regular health checkups become even more important for senior dogs.

Frequency of Health Checkups: While young dogs need health checkups once a year, senior dogs are recommended to have them twice a year. Regularly perform blood tests, urine tests, and X-ray examinations to catch early signs of kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and other conditions.

Joint Disease Care: Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases in senior dogs. Supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids help maintain joint health. If there is pain, consider using anti-inflammatory pain relievers prescribed by a veterinarian. Weight management directly reduces the burden on joints, so maintaining appropriate weight is important.

Managing Declining Vision and Hearing: For dogs with declining vision, avoid changing furniture placement and speak to them before touching to avoid startling them. For dogs with declining hearing, switch to communication using hand signals. Since suddenly touching them from behind may cause them to bite, always make sure to enter their field of vision before touching them.

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

Dogs, like humans, can develop dementia. Known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), it is estimated that about 30% of dogs aged 11 and older show some symptoms.

Main Symptoms: Symptoms include meaningless vocalization or barking during the night, circling in the same spot, getting stuck in corners of walls or furniture and unable to move, no longer recognizing their owner, increased incontinence, reversal of day-night cycles, and staring blankly at a single point.

Management and Treatment: While cognitive dysfunction cannot be fully cured, its progression can be slowed. A diet containing antioxidants and DHA/EPA, and the addition of MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides), are reported to be effective for maintaining brain function. Appropriate intellectual stimulation such as nose work and learning new tricks is also important. Selegiline (Anipryl) may be used as a medication for canine cognitive dysfunction.

Vocalization at night disrupts the owner's sleep as well. Consult with a veterinarian and work toward improvement through appropriate medication therapy and supplementation.

End-of-Life Care and How to Approach It

When living with a senior dog, it's important to think ahead about the end that will eventually come.

Regularly evaluate your dog's "quality of life (QOL)" by comprehensively assessing factors such as appetite, pain level, breathing condition, mobility, bladder/bowel control, and the proportion of time they appear to be enjoying themselves. When there are more "difficult days" than "good days," discuss end-of-life care with your veterinarian.

Building Long-Term Connections with Breeders Through br-choku

During senior care, a breeder who knows the characteristics of their breed inside and out is a valuable ally. With br-choku, you can maintain your relationship with the breeder even after bringing your dog home, and receive advice based on experience regarding breed-specific changes that come with age, nutritional consultation, and how to care for your dog during their senior years.