Looking After Your Senior Dog

I know this is a website specialising in puppies and adolescent dogs, but for a dog to reach and enjoy their senior years, we need to look after its physical and emotional well-being throughout their life.
This includes: 

• Good nutrition & medical care 
• Appropriate exercise
• Managing their safety 
• Responding to their physical & mental changes

This blog is written from my personal experience and because my eldest dog Mo (in the picture) reaches 14 on November 8th 

Mo is still active and loves a good run and roll around my field, is a happy boy and eats well. 

In many ways he looks and behaves like a much younger dog to the outside world but to us we have seen how the gradual changes of the aging process has affected him. 

These include:

• Going deaf - He began to show signs of losing his hearing at around 11 years but he appeared to go fully deaf all of a sudden about 2 years ago.
• Changes in his eyesight - He can still see but his peripheral vision is worse as he knocks into things and cannot judge the width of gaps any longer.
• Stiffness & joint pain - If he has been resting or asleep for a while he finds standing up a struggle at times. This started quite early at about 8 or 9 years and we expected this as he had a serious road accident when he was two and had major surgery to rebuild his pelvis and hips. Because of this he was destined to have issues with arthritis.
• Muscle reduction - partly because of his issues with his arthritis and normal age related slowing down it has caused the muscles in his hips and rear legs to reduce.
• Behaviour changes - such as occasional signs of confusion not as severe as Canine Cognitive Disfunction/Disorder CCD (the dog equivalent to dementia) but subtle things such as being concerned about sights and sounds that didn't worry him previously.

These as well as other things such as teeth issues, changes in appetite. not wanting to go out as often, and sleeping more are all signs of the aging in dogs, humans and other animals and can be delayed or made more easier to manage if they are considered at the start of your dog's life.

What you can do to give your puppy the best chance of a long and happy life

 Unfortunately there are things we cannot control such as genetic or medical conditions that are unknown until they show symptoms or accidents that we unable to foresee or have the opportunity to intervene to stop it occurring.

Here are some things we may be able to do

Buy from an approved breeder 

• They should only breed from parents that have been tested for known genetic issues and will show you the results.
• The puppies will have been given all the recommended worming & other medical treatments.
• They will be fed on a high-quality puppy food.
• You may be given a training and development plan for your puppy.

Good Nutrition

• Choose a high-quality puppy food suited to their breed, size, and energy level.
• Feed small, regular meals - puppies cannot eat and digest large quantities at a time so may miss out on essential nutrients if they are unable to eat the amount given over two meals.
• Feed high-quality & nutritious treats. include these in the recommend food intake for the day so not to over feed as extra weight will put a strain on developing bones and joints which may cause issues at a later time.
• Watch for unusual or continuous digestive issues. If your puppy's poos are not regularly well formed seek help from a vet as this means the food is not being digested properly for reasons including intolerances, and parasites. As mentioned above may mean they miss out on the essential nutrients which may impede growth and development. 

Medical Care

• Vaccinate your puppy as this will give them immunity from some of the diseases that can be fatal in dogs especially young dogs.
• Have regular health checks with you vet so they can see and record any subtle changes that you nay not be aware of which may help with any future diagnosis of illness.
• If dog shows sudden behaviour change this is often caused by sudden or ongoing pain so a prompt visit to your vet is called for.
• Once your dog matures they may start suffering from minor age related aches and pains like we can so speaking to your vet about these and starting them on joint or gut supplements and even medication if required to help before the natural progression of age.
• Take your vets advice on the amount and type of, rest periods, after care and rehabilitation after surgery as your dog may look like they have recovered but are masking pain. If I hadn't heeded my vets recommended rest time which lasted about 6 months after his surgery, I don't think he would be as healthy as he is today. 
• Practice cleaning your dog's teeth or find a groomer that does this from an early age as dental decay and plaque can cause pain and loss of teeth and vet bills in later life.
• Spaying or neutering (especially females) once fully grown can reduce the occurrence of certain cancers and other medical issues which may reduce their life expectancy. This is not so proven in male dogs.

Appropriate Exercise - At each life stage

• Puppies have lots of energy, but too much exercise can stress growing joints, so play & exercise sessions are best, and let them rest between sessions.
• Don't allow puppies & young dogs to repetitively jump on and off furniture or walls etc as the impact on their growing joints and  bones can cause damage that could impact them later in life.
• Avoid repetitive exercise such as continual ball throwing and do not use "ball chuckers" as these cause lots of injuries and impact damage on the joint and muscles with all the sudden stopping, jumping and catching. 
• Be mindful of changes in your dogs exercise needs as these will change over the years and you may have to adapt your exercise regime. If you dog suddenly refuses to to go out in the cold or rain or doesn't want to play for as long as they did it may be sign of pain or just age and we should listen to them.
• Mental stimulation at any age is just as important as it is with us to reduce the signs of cognitive decline. So use puzzle toys, play hide and seek, learn scent work or tacking and vary the locations you go to for exercise so they get to see, hear and smell different things.

Manging their safety

• Puppy proof the home so they cannot get too dangerous items such as plants, batteries poisonous foods etc or are able to jump on and off furniture or stairs when unsupervised. Injury or illness from eating things they are not allowed and breaking their very soft bones from jumping of things are two of the main emergencies vets see puppies for. Any injury at any age can impact their lifespan or quality of life in their senior years.
• Focus on training for their safety and engagement with you so they will listen to you in different situation, and skills they will need in a situation that may be dangerous. Such as recall, sit or wait at a distance, emergency stop and safe lead walking as these are some of the important skills that could stop them getting hurt, seriously injured or even killed.
• Keep and poisonous or dangerous equipment out of their reach in the home. 
• Training now can prevent behavioural issues later, and it strengthens your bond with your pup.

If you have done everything you could and you have been lucky to have a senior dog in your life you will know what a joy they can be.  But you still have to be mindful of their changes and how you adjust their life style to accommodate these changes. 

If you notice any sudden changes to their physical or mental ability or their behaviour suddenly changes a vet appointment is needed to confirm it isn't something other than aging. There are many things vets and other medical professionals can do to help your dog.

What to look out for with your senior dog and the adjustments to be made. 

• Stiffness when waking or standing up is one of the first signs of aging we sometimes notice. Ask your vet if there are any supplements or medication which may help with the stiffness or pain and maybe replace their bed with a memory foam or orthopaedic bed so sleeping is more comfortable.
• Reluctance to go out in cold or wet weather is normal with age related pain (in humans also) so don't go out and do an indoor activity such as searching or another low impact game.
• Slowing down or stopping more frequently on walks, which is another sign of discomfort or tiredness. Slow down your walking pace, wait for them to have a breather , carry on if they want to or end the walk and take them home.
• Reduced hearing or sight which is another sign of aging as it is with humans. 
• If it their hearing make sure you are looking at them or gently touching them before speaking to them and take them to safe and secure areas and possibly on a long training line for walks as recalling will be more difficult.
• If it is their sight, don't move things like furniture about as this will disorientate them also take the out as mentioned above as they may get hurt or injured if they walk into things they cannot see.
• Confusion or fear responses to things they used to be ok with may mean their cognitive function is reducing which is part of the aging process or it may be the start of Canine Cognitive Disfunction/Disorder CCD which is like human dementia so this must be checked by your vet. If your dog gets confused or shows fear in normal situations gently help them and comfort them until they recover and also don't make any big changes to their environment or routine as this can make things worse.

The most important thing you can do are.

• Watch your dog so you can identify any changes early and adapt your lifestyle to suit their current needs.
• Contact your vet as soon as you identify a change in their physicality, personality or behaviour. 
• Be their support network to ensure their final months or years are as happy and comfortable as possible.
• Finally remember that their quality of life is the most important thing.

If you would like any help or support with making you senior dog's life as happy and comfortable as possible. Always liaise with your vet for medical assistance and if needed seek the advice of a dog trainer or behaviourist who uses pain and fear free training methods.

Gill Gallagher - Speaking Puppy & Adolescent Dog

07595217299

www.speakingpuppy.co.uk

gill@speakingpuppy.co.uk