Learning to understand your dog’s signs of aging

Many of us who’ve passed the half-century mark aren’t crazy about getting older … yet it’s a fact of life we can’t just wave away. We feel the same way about our dogs: we recognize the slightly grizzled, gray muzzle that signals our beloved dog is no longer a puppy … but we’d rather not admit that reality.

Yet barring some catastrophe or health crisis, our canine companions will in fact get older. Just like us, eventually they’ll become senior citizens.

So, how do you know when your dog is a senior? Generally, dogs enter their senior years around the age of seven, depending upon the breed and size. Very large breeds can reach senior status by six, whereas a teacup poodle may not attain that milestone until she’s eight or nine.

There are a number of health conditions that can affect the aging dog.

PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES >> As your dog ages, he may not be quite as spry as he used to be. He takes the stairs more slowly, may limp during or after exercise, and has problems jumping onto a bed, couch, or into the car. Just like humans, dogs develop arthritis; studies have shown that supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM can be helpful. If your dog is exhibiting more acute pain, contact your veterinarian.

Impaired hearing and eyesight can be other signs of aging. You may notice clouding in your dog’s eyes, a sign of cataracts. Or your pup may not be as responsive to your calls of “Come!” as he used to be, signaling some hearing loss. Both of these conditions aren’t especially life-altering: many blind or deaf dogs often do quite well navigating their universe despite their disability.

A far more serious problem in older dogs is cancer. (In fact, almost a third of dogs older than seven will develop cancer.) There are countless types of canine cancers, and not only can they occur anywhere in the body, their symptoms can vary widely. Call your veterinarian if you see any lumps, bumps, or unusual swellings that persist or get larger.

Obesity is a serious problem in senior dogs, and can have severe repercussions far beyond their waistline. In fact, obesity can be a contributing factor in all of the diseases I’ve mentioned, which means you need to watch you pet’s food (and treat!) intake carefully as he ages.

The best preventative for all these disorders is to take your senior dog to the vet for regular wellness checkups every six months.

BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE ISSUES: YES, DOGS CAN SUFFER FROM DEMENTIA. CANINE COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION (CCD) CAN CAUSE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS >> becoming lost in familiar surroundings, confusion and disorientation (such as standing in a corner and not knowing how to get out), whining or barking for no apparent reason, increased anxiety and/or aggression, negative changes in social interaction, and eliminating in the house.

As with the human form of dementia, there is no cure for CCD — however, there are things that can help. Providing physical and mental stimulation through games and activities can often ease behavioral problems.

Feeding specially-formulated prescription senior dog food, or adding antioxidant nutritional supplements and products such coconut oil that contain medium-chain triglycerides can be effective in moderating CCD symptoms. Your veterinarian may also suggest prescription drugs to improve your dog’s brain function.

In the end, however, the most important thing you can do for your senior dog is to make sure he remains a treasured member of your family. As author Eileen Anderson says, “All that matters is to love the dog in front of you.”

Joan Merriam lives in Northern California with her golden retriever Joey, her Maine coon cat Indy, and the abiding spirit of her beloved golden retriever Casey in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@ joanmerriam.com.