Vital Pet Health

Just like with humans dogs can age differently. Most will take less exercise and start putting on weight. Some dogs will become friendlier and want to spend more time with the family while others may want to be alone and become grumpier.

Anxiety can be the cause of some behaviour changes. As their hearing and sight levels reduce this leaves the dog vulnerable as they cannot escape potential dangers as they once could. Behaviour changes can also act as an indicator for signs of pain or illness. If you are ever in doubt contact your local vet for advice.

What are the symptoms of ageing?

As your dog’s body slows down it will mean that fat that used to burn up will be deposited at a higher rate causing your pet to put on weight. If you notice weight loss with an older dog this may be attributed to poor digestion or illness. If you see this with your dog then take them to the vet to be assessed. Other signs will be that your dog’s mouth may become drier with the action of swallowing becoming increasingly difficult.

A dog's skin will lose its elasticity, white hairs will appear through the coat while the fur will lose it’s shine. Hearing and sight may deteriorate and your dog’s ability to remember commands may diminish. They may not sleep as well during the night and as their bones and muscles age this contributes to them being more vulnerable to infections. Just like humans the internal organs such as heart, liver and kidneys can also suffer greatly with age.

When is my dog classed as old?

This can vary substantially depending upon the breed. As a general rule larger dogs age faster and middle age for most dogs is considered to be around the seven years of age mark.

Vet’s offer senior care programmes for older dogs and it would be worth researching these types of services as it will mean you can work towards adapting their routines to give them the happiest existence for their age in life. Remember that older dogs need regular boosters for vaccinations plus worming and flea treatments too. You can help stimulate your dog mentally by teaching them new tricks or purchasing novel or interactive toys.

How should I feed an ageing dog?

There are plenty of senior diets available on the market. These offer food that is lower in calories and helps reduce the chance of weight gain. In recent years many pet food providers have specially formulated diets that can help manage medical conditions that are associated with ageing. Any changes should be made with veterinary advice and follow a gradual introduction.

Helping control middle age spread can be done by closely monitoring your dog’s weight. By weighing your pet every few months you will be able to monitor any weight fluctuations. If a steady rise is noticed then you will need to start reducing food intake. If weight loss is apparent then this could be a sign of illness so consult your vet.

Breed tables indicating ideal weight can only give you a rough estimation as these sizes can vary considerably within breeds. A quick test to see if your pet is over weight can include:

1. Can you see an hourglass waist when viewed from above?
2. Can the ribs be felt with light finger pressure?
3. Is there a potbelly?

If the answers are no for the first two questions then it is time to reduce calorie intake for your pet. A potbelly is a sure sign that you dog is overweight.

Some advice suggests that protein restriction is beneficial for health of older dogs yet it has not been proven. This strategy may help with dogs that have suffered with kidney problems from a young age yet this needs to be discussed with your vet.