This video couldn’t have said it better: no dog is too old, too broken, or too worn. Rather, senior dogs are wise, resilient, and worthy. For all their admirable qualities, loving a senior dog is certainly all too easy.
Their gray muzzle is a sign of their sharpened instincts. Their scars show just how loyal and protective they are of their owner. And your older dog’s bark might not be as strong as it used to be, but it shows how loyal your beloved dog has been all through the years.
This tribute shows the pain and unworthiness older dogs may sometimes be subjected to. But it is equally a reminder that there are loving owners like you, who won’t leave their loyal companions no matter what.
As dogs enter their senior years, you will notice them slow down and tire easily. IN their advanced age, older dogs are susceptible to certain illnesses like arthritis and weakening joints. That being said, keeping senior dogs active is a must.
It doesn’t mean that you have to wear down your beloved dog. You can, instead, suit their exercise, diet, and supplements to adjust to fit to their capacity.
One exercise that’s great for dogs is swimming. It strengthens both their muscles and joints. On top of that, it’s also relaxing and entertaining for dogs. You’ve probably seen a lot of video clips of dogs swimming. That’s no coincidence—dogs love it!
The key to keeping your older dog active is to be conscious about the changes your dog is undergoing. Your dog might love the outdoors and walking for miles. Today, you can’t expect your dog to have the same stamina—but you can certainly do something to fulfill your dog’s love for the outdoors. The only difference is that you will have to tone down the usual length and period of the walk.
Keeping senior dogs active in their senior years
You don’t have to feel like you’re no longer giving the dog rules, boundaries, and limitations if you, for example, bring them their food instead of making them come to the kitchen or the yard to eat. “Room service” at this stage of life is acceptable. Remember that their body doesn’t match the mind any more – they might have trouble controlling their bladder and this isn’t something to punish. It’s a result of the kind of care we provide our dogs with in this country and many around the world. You’re not going to see a 14-year-old dog in a third world country very often. They just don’t have the same kind of care and nutrition. Here.
As your buddy grows old, you might also want to give stimulation exercises or a massage every now and then. Sometimes, you might need to put up a ramp so your dog can get upstairs easier.
It’s all about compromise—all for the sake of giving your dog the best and most fulfilling senior years!
Don’t you just love older dogs? They’re sweeter, gentler, and more loving than the average dog. But more importantly, they’ve grown to become part of your family.
Your older dog might not be as active as before. They might have gray muzzles and thinning fur. But they’ll always be your best companion, the one who’d always greet you at your doorstep. And you’ll surely always be there for them.
Whatever the breed of your older dog is, whether your fur friend has just reached seven years or is well past 20 years old, nothing can compare to your dog’s quiet grace and composure. Together, you two have gone through several challenges, and the road ahead spells an even more beautiful journey for the two of you.
Check out this cute little video—and reminisce how far you and your partner have come. Think back on all the unforgettable memories you and your dog have shared. A toast to many more years with your old buddy!
Senior status in dogs is not measured by their number of years. Your 9-yr-old pooch might qualify as a senior, while your neighbor might have a 10-yr-old dog who’s well in the mid-life stage. For the most part, senior dogs are determined by their breed. For instance, giant breeds like deerhounds are considered elderly by their 6th to 8th year, while small breed dogs like a miniature poodle won’t be senior until they reach 17 years old.
There are two breeding methods that affect the longevity of a dog’s life—inbreeding and the pure-breed approach. In-breeding is when close relatives are bred with one another to retain certain traits, both positive and negative. For instance, breeding half-siblings with a long lifespan can result in an offspring with the same longevity.
Pure-breeding is when the same male dog is used to mate with different females. This way, the undesirable genes of other male dogs will disappear, and only the male dog who fathers all the offspring will carry forward his genetic characteristics.
Here’s a run-down on the life expectancy of dog breeds:
A Closer Look At Age And Dog Breeds
Breeds and Longevity
Breed
Average Life Span (Years)
Beagle
13
Boston Terrier
12
Boxer
10
Bulldog
9
Chihuahua
15
Cocker Spaniel
12
Dachshund
12
German Shepherd
11
Golden Retriever
12
Labrador Retriever
11
Maltese
13
Miniature Pinscher
14
Miniature Schnauzer
13
Pomeranian
14
Pug
13
Rottweiler
9
Shetland Sheepdog
13
Shih Tzu
13
Yorkshire Terrier
14
Mixed breeds
Determining the life expectancy of a mixed-breed dog is a little trickier than determining the life expectancy of a purebred dog. On the one hand, a mixed-breed dog’s life expectancy is affected by the life expectancies of each breed he’s made up of — assuming you can figure out what those breeds are. On the other hand, a dog’s unique mix means a unique gene pool, and the more unique the gene pool, the less chance the undesirable trait has of affecting the dog. And if you’re looking for a precise figure for your particular dog’s breed mix, research isn’t a whole lot of help. If you’re willing to take an average, though, a mixed-breed dog’s life expectancy is about 13 years. (More here)
The senior status of dogs vary from one dog to another. To find out if your dog can be considered senior, you will have to look at a number of signs.
One sign that your dog has hit “senior-hood” is when your dog doesn’t move as fast as in the old days. A senior dog spends most of the time napping or lying down.
Your dog might have been able to catch Frisbee throws in a matter of minutes before. Your dog is probably a senior if this is no longer the case.
Another sign is when your dog’s coat has gotten grayer and the coat has gotten thinner. You will notice your dog’s face and muzzle look grayer than before. You might also find soft lumps in your dog’s trunk. While these lumps aren’t life-threatening, this is another sign of senior-hood and you should call the vet once you feel lumps in your dog’s body.
When your dog no longer responds as quickly as before, that’s not because your dog is being combative. Your dog’s hearing is affected by aging, just like in us humans.
Lastly, you might notice your dog getting prone to accidents, suffering from incontinence or getting lost in your backyard. These are all signs of aging that come along with senior-hood.
When all these signs are present and your dog has finally reached senior status, don’t panic. There will be changes, yes, but with your companionship and guidance, your old companion will surely enjoy his advanced years.
Keep your dog active as much as you can, early on.
20% of dogs suffer from arthritis. The odds are even worse with your older dog, as arthritis is most common among dogs in advanced age. Nobody wants to see their precious dogs stumble and limp about—so before it comes to that, you might want to err on the side of caution and take note of senior dog arthritis treatment methods that prevent this debilitating condition from getting worse.
The first step you have to take is to regulate your dog’s diet and nutrition. If your dog loves food, you don’t have to reduce their food intake or impose a strict diet altogether. What you can do instead to help regulate your dog’s weight is by replacing their calorie-high foods with a low calorie-diet regimen. There are even dog foods exclusively made for senior dogs, which are rich in calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. If you don’t find the nutrients you’re looking for, you might also want to whip up your own low caloric recipe for your furry friend.
It will also be necessary to purchase certain things, all for the good of your older dog, such as a warm cozy bed and ramps.
Keeping Dog Arthritis At Bay
All elderly pets appreciate a warm bed. Safe heating pads are available to ease the aches and pains that come with arthritis. I prefer electric mats that are encased in water proof plastic and have a chew-proof cord. Purchase one that can not rise above 102F. Make entry and exit from your pet’s bed as easy as possible with at least one low side. Be cautious if your pet can not move away from the pad, should it get too hot. Puppies and elderly dogs are more susceptible to heavy flea infestations because their immobility assures that they are always conveniently available to the fleas. Fleas can get out of hand rapidly in both the very old and the very young. If there is a possibility of a flea problem, be sure bed liners can be easily run through a dryer cycle and use one of the modern topical products to control fleas on your pet.
Wood ramps, covered with carpet are a real help for pets that can no longer climb stairs. Just be sure they are stable. Make the slope as gentle as possible. Keep one that hooks securely, in your car to help your pet get in and out. Canvas slings work well for this too.
If your pet is no longer able to get about, there are, slings, carts and other apparatus that you can purchase to return some of its mobility. There are online stores that specialize in meeting the needs of disabled pets. (Read more Here)
You might want to join your senior dog for a daily moderate exercise, as this has been proven to help slow down the effects of arthritis. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken your dog for a 30-minute walk or haven’t played with them for some time now, this is your wake-up call.
Also, you may not have heard of this before, but good nail care will also help in arthritis prevention. By clipping your dog’s toenails regularly, they can work normally and won’t have to adjust their gait and put pressure on their joints and ligament.
The steps I just mentioned may sound like a lot of work, but in the long run, making these changes will help your senior dog live a fuller life. Isn’t that what every pet owner would want for their cherished senior dog?
This is a beautiful story of ‘Ol Boy’, a stray senior dog that was found in pretty bad shape. A trip to the vet’s office confirmed what looked to be true on the surface…he was not going to make it. Being malnourished was only one of his many problems. It turned out he had several medical ailments that were going to be tough to handle – but at this late stage, there was not much to be done. A animal communicator was brought in and found out that Ol Boy did not want to be put to sleep. He wanted to die in a home. A home where he could feel safe and loved…things he had wanted for a very time already.
A staff member of the clinic agreed to take Ol Boy home and to make him as comfortable as possible and stay with him to the end. That is exactly what happened. They helped him drink some water, they petted him when he was in pain and reassured him that they would not leave him. And they didn’t. True to their word, they loved Ol Boy until he was ready to go. He passed away in peace, when he was ready, safe, in a loving home and surrounded by kind people.
His last wish was to be cremated and then his ashes scattered near the beach. He is free, he is happy and he died with dignity the way all dogs and all living things should. What a blessing!
When people are considering adopting a dog from a shelter, they often only want to consider adopting a puppy or younger dog. Sometimes the perception is that there must be something wrong with older dogs. I mean, if they were great dogs, the owners would have kept them, right? That’s not quite the case. Shelters are often full of older dogs based on issues that the people were having and not because of any illness or behavior problems presented by the dog.
Mature Works! Adopting a Older Dog
Older dogs lose their homes for many different reasons….most of them having nothing to do with problems the dog has, but rather with those of the person or family surrendering the dog. Many folks think dogs who end up at shelters or in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for very expensive, well-bred, well-trained dogs to outlive their usefulness or novelty with folks who bought them on impulse and no longer want to take responsibility for them.
Other reasons older dogs become homeless: death of a guardian….not enough time for the dog…… change in work schedule….. new baby…..need to move to a place where dogs are not allowed…. kids going off to college…. allergies…. change in “lifestyle”…. prospective spouse doesn’t like dogs. (All these reasons are taken from real case histories.) (Read more)
Some of the advantages of adopting an older dog are that they often have already been trained. Sometimes this training is quite extensive, more often, they are at least house trained already and understand what “no” means and what should and should not be chewed on in the home! They are already socialized and usually deal well with kids, other dogs and other pets. You will still want to get a report on the dog’s general health from the vet, but you get to start with an instant friend and companion.
Not only these reasons, but adopting a mature, older dog can show a respect for age and keep the horrid puppy mills from getting your money to further their practices. Respect for dogs and the current problem with so many being put down because there is simply not enough homes for them all should also help with your decision. Do the responsible thing…do the loving and amazing thing of welcoming an older dog into your home. The rewards will outweigh any risk!
John Unger and his dog, Shep, are the picture of what true love is. Shep has pretty bad arthritis as well as hip dysplasia that has him in a lot of pain and leaves him pretty uncomfortable for most of the day. John discovered that being in the water, in the ocean that is nearby, Shep could rest and felt better without any pressure on his joints. In John’s arms, Shep could finally sleep peacefully and without the discomfort that he feels when laying on a bed or on the floor of their home.
These images of John holding Shep in the water so he can sleep have touched so many people. Why is this story so powerful? With Shep being 19 years old, John wants to do what ever he can to help his beloved pet feel comfortable and to be able to sleep for a few hours without all that pain. This is love in action. It is love that knows no bounds, real love, and anyone who has loved a dog can relate.
This is the story of Suryia the Orangutan and Roscoe the dog. While walking along through the animal park one morning, Suryia and her handler were surprised when a malnourished dog crossed their path. The handler was quite surprised when the dog seemed to not be afraid of the Orangutan and even more surprised when Suryia just went right over to give the dog a big hug! The two have become the best of friends and the old hound dog, Roscoe, has given Suryia a companion of the highest grade. Dogs are so loving and loyal and this older dog seems patient and understanding of all the ways Suryia shows her affection. Much like the ever loving way that many dogs endure the loving tugs and pulls that children put them through! Roscoe is a great example of why older dogs rock!
This video pays tribute to how wonderful a dog’s love really is. Sometimes they are treated to badly and yet you can still see the love in their eyes. They love unconditionally and will be there for you as much as you will allow. So many humans could learn so much about love and acceptance from a dog. Their life long goal is to enjoy themselves and you as much as they can. If only every dog was loved the way they deserved…
A dog is so often more than just a pet. They are there for us when we are sad, when we feel alone, when we don’t know what we are doing, when we are feeling mean and when we are going through the hardest times in our lives. They are there for us the same at these times as when we are on top of the world, when we are happy and secure and enjoying life. A dog knows what love is…they understand unconditional love and have so much to teach us, if only we are paying attention.
As they age and get older, we begin to really reflect on all that we have been through together. Every happy jump, every unexpected lick, every howl, every stretch and yawn, every time they laid on your foot or lap or chest, every fetch, every stolen bite of food off your plate, the guilty eyes and the big lolling tongue hanging out their mouths; all these take on a new and more profound meaning.
There is just not enough words to say all that they meant to us. This poem and this music barely covers it. But it’s a start. We love you! We are so happy to have had you in our lives and as our best friend!
Pets? I don’t think so. My dog is my family. I’m sure you feel the same.
Sure, he's a little white on his muzzle, but he's still a puppy at heart! Show him how much you love him!
Dogs get older just like their owners do, though their life span is relatively shorter. And just like humans, biological and physical changes are parts of their normal aging process. You may notice them as your pet continues to show them. But before you panic, be sure to set a regular appointment with your pet’s veterinarian to know what’s good for well-being of your aging dog.
Frequent visits to the veterinary clinic will help treat any medical problem and diagnose chronic diseases. Knowing what to expect from your senior dog will help you cope up with the changes, thus learning how to handle them. Who says these physical and biological changes have to stop you from spending more time with your dog and continue doing the things you both love to do?
Here are just some of the things you need to know about your aging dog.
What to Expect from Your Senior Dog
Slowing down – You may notice that you dog slows down some with aging. This isn’t always the case, but look for subtle changes in how s/he gets up, lays down, and uses stairs.
Graying around the face, muzzle – One of my dogs went prematurely gray at two years of age, but most dogs commonly show a bit of gray starting at middle age (5-6 years).
Reduced hearing – Is your dog hard to wake up after sleeping or does s/he become startled easily if you approach from behind?
Cloudy or “bluish” eyes – As they age, dog’s eyes often show a bluish transparent “haze” in the pupil area. This is a normal effect of aging, and the medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis.
Muscle atrophy – Mild loss of muscle mass, especially the hind legs, may be seen with old age. (Click here to learn more about what to expect from senior dogs and how to care for them)
All in all, it’s important that as an owner, you are aware that your pet ages faster than you. But through the implementation of better nutrition or balanced diet and regular veterinary check-ups as well as excellent care coming from you, you may add a few years to your dog’s life.
Now that you know what to expect from your senior dog, it is now your responsibility to keep him happy and healthy during his geriatric years. Who knows? He may be wagging his tail at the front door and licking your face for a few more years to come.
