Advances in veterinary care are allowing our dogs to grow old gracefully alongside us. Senior dogs often have the same health issues that human senior citizens do. Heart disease, obesity, arthritis, loss of vision and hearing, cancers, urinary problems, lowered immune system function, changes in metabolism, cognitive disorders and other common results of aging affect our canine companions as well. Providing appropriate dog care for your elderly dog can improve his quality of life.

The age at which your dog is considered a “senior citizen” depends upon his breed. Smaller dog breeds generally have longer life spans than larger breeds. A small dog, less than 20 pounds, is considered a senior at nine to 13 years of age, medium and large breeds at nine to 11 years, and giant dog breeds are considered elderly at six to nine years old.

As your dog edges close to his senior years, it is a good idea to take him to the veterinarian for a geriatric check-up. Waiting until your dog shows obvious signs of illness is not cost-effective, since early diagnosis and treatment are usually easier and less expensive. Making sure your senior dog lives a healthy lifestyle can improve his quality of life and prolong the amount of time you get to enjoy him. Please use this guide to learn how to care for senior dogs.

Diagnostic tests are available for many of the same health conditions that humans fall victim to as they age, and can catch health conditions early while they are still relatively simple and inexpensive to treat. After his initial geriatric exam, schedule regular check-ups twice a year, or as your veterinarian advises.

In between professional check-ups, give your dog regular health checks at home. Rub your hands along his body to feel for lumps and bumps, and any tenderness or swelling in his abdomen. Check his joints for swelling or pain. Examine his teeth and gums regularly, noting any foul odor, redness, or inflammation that may indicate dental problems that need veterinary intervention.

Hearing loss may become apparent when your dog stops coming when you call him, or is surprised when you walk up behind him. Deafness is not an insurmountable obstacle to a dog, since they can be taught to follow hand signals, but you will need to keep him away from roadways where he may not hear oncoming traffic. Cataracts are common as dogs age, and appear as a cloudy film on the lens of the eye. When they become severe enough to interfere with the dog’s vision they may be surgically removed. Dogs who become blind, however, can do surprisingly well when their environment is stable–no rearranging the furniture!

Keep your dog’s weight at an acceptable level, and be aware of any sudden weight loss or gain. Watch for significant changes in his behavior, in the amount he eats or drinks, or in his elimination habits. Report any changes to your veterinarian, and bring him in for an examination if your vet advises you to do so.

Older dogs tend to be less active, and spend more time sleeping. Your senior dog will require fewer calories in his diet, and if you continue to feed him the same amount of adult dog food he’s always eaten, he may begin to put on extra weight. http://www.purinacare.com/caring_for_your_pet_senior_dog.aspx

Obesity contributes to heart disease, cancers, diabetes, and joint disorders in dogs just as it does in humans. Choose a dog food that is formulated for the nutritional and caloric needs of senior dogs, and follow any diet restrictions or recommendations that your veterinarian advises.http://www.purinacare.com/caring_for_your_pet_senior_dog.aspx

Regular exercise in moderate amounts will help keep your senior dog active. A short daily walk, at a pace that is comfortable for your dog, can help keep his muscles toned and loosen up stiff, arthritic joints. A few minutes a day may be all the exercise he can manage, but every little bit helps to keep him active.

If your dog resists exercising because of arthritis pain, NSAIDS or arthritis medicine prescribed by your veterinarian may relieve the pain enough to get him moving. If your dog enjoys the water, take him swimming. The water will cushion his aging joints and make exercise less stressful. http://www.purinacare.com/caring_for_your_pet_senior_dog.aspx

Most dogs who reach their golden years will exhibit changes in behavior and temperament. They may not handle stress as well as in their younger days, and may be less willing to tolerate noisy, rambunctious children, new pets in the family, or loud noises. A once-docile dog may growl and become snappish when they’re stressed out or in pain.

Punishing your elderly dog for such behavior is wrong, because he often can’t help himself at this point. Teach your children to treat your elderly pet with the same respect they’d give their elderly grandparents. Keep kids away from your senior dog if they play too roughly or insist on creating noise and commotion that disturbs him. It’s best to add new pets to the family before your dog begins to show advanced signs of aging, while he is still capable of dealing with a rowdy puppy or playful kitten.

Underlying medical conditions can cause changes in behavior, and your dog may revert back to his normal behavior when those conditions are treated successfully. However, elderly dogs can also develop a cognitive dysfunction similar to Alzheimer’s in humans. They may forget their toilet training, pace around, stare off into space, become lost in their own home or back yard, bark or whine for no reason, or bark at inanimate objects.http://www.vetinfo.com/canine-cognitive-dysfunction.html

Dogs suffering from mental deterioration will need extra attention to keep them safe (and your house unsoiled). A baby gate can confine them to part of the house, and confused dogs should never be allowed outdoors untethered or they may wander away and get lost. Prescription medication may restore some of your dog’s cognitive function, or your veterinarian may recommend nutritional supplements to help your dog regain some of his mental faculties. http://www.vetinfo.com/canine-cognitive-dysfunction.html