Caring for a Senior Dog
The rate of ageing differs between breed and size of the pet.
OVERVIEW
It’s a natural part of life for pets to grow old.
A senior pet is one that describes an ageing or older pet. The rate of ageing differs between breed and size of the pet.
| Size of dog (kgs) | Adult | Senior | Geriatric |
| <10 | 4-8 yrs | 8-14 yrs | 14+ yrs |
| 10-23 | 3-8 yrs | 8-12 yrs | 12+ yrs |
| 24-40 | 3-6 yrs | 6-10 yrs | 10+ yrs |
| >40 | 3-6 yrs | 6-10 yrs | 10+ yrs |
Goals for senior care:
- Enhance the human-animal bond
- Promote early detection of abnormalities
- Promote individualized medical care to enhance the quality of life
Focused areas of wellness in the senior pet:
- Dental care
- Diet and nutrition
- Weight control – particularly weight gain in dogs
- Parasite control
- Exercise
- Vaccination
- Mental health including environmental enrichment
- Housing and the accommodation of disabilities such as vision and hearing loss
SIGNS
As pets get older, they can start to show signs of old age including:
- White hair around the muzzle
- Poor hearing
- Poor sight
- Poor smell
- Decreased energy
- Changes in appetite
- Fewer teeth
- Stiff joints
- Sleepy
Older pets can become sick more often. You can help by watching your pet every day for signs of a problem.
- Increased drinking or peeing
- Weight loss or gain
- Decreased appetite or failure to eat
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Difficulty in peeing or pooping
- Lameness
- Bumping into things
- Bad breath
- Sleeping a lot
- Hair loss
- Panting or coughing
- Weakness
It is important to keep feeding and sleeping habits consistent to avoid stress. Even vision-impaired pets cope well with a good routine and familiar areas. It’s from the middle-aged years that we should become more vigilant for early changes. Diseases can begin during these years and it often not until their senior years that the disease progresses to a point where the condition can become life-threatening. Early detection is important.
Common senior pet conditions:
- Osteoarthritis
- Dental disease
- Hypothyroidism in dogs
- Diabetes
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Incontinence (fecal and urinary)
- Spinal cord disease
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Kidney failure
- Heart disease
It's a good idea to take your senior pet to the vets every 6 months so that any problems can be picked up early.
TIPS
Senior pets need special care:
- Handle them gently
- Provide them with soft but firm bedding
- Keep the bed area away from cold draughts
- Set up a ramp instead of stairs
- Give them soft food
- Provide them with elevated feeders
- Provide them with slow and gentle exercise daily
- Take them to the vet at least twice a year
- Teach your pet hand signals with verbal signals
- Avoid sudden movements
- Use the ground for sending vibrations
- Keep to a strict routine – meals and toileting