Signs of Aging in Senior Dogs

Man relaxing on couch with older dog

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Aging is inevitable in all living things. Dogs age much faster than humans, so changes in their physical and mental well-being can seem to come out of nowhere. Suddenly your fun loving and ready-for-anything buddy is reluctant to leave his warm bed on frosty mornings and takes his time climbing stairs. It may seem like a shock that your dog is suddenly a senior, but becoming a senior doesn't mean you and your dog can't enjoy several more good years together. It's important to...MORE understand that dogs undergo many changes as they age and become seniors. Here's what to expect as your dog enters his golden years:

  • 01 of 04
    old street dog
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    Arthritis is one of the most common conditions associated with your dog's advancing age. Pain and stiffness will make it hard for a formerly boisterous dog to hop up and join in a jog. It may even make him reluctant to move at all. Cold and damp weather only make these conditions worse.

    At some point, you'll notice that your dog just doesn't bounce back like he used to. This goes for anything: injuries, illnesses, and even exhaustion. At around seven years of age, your dog's bones...MORE start to lose density, making it harder for him to heal from a fracture. His muscles also lose mass and the cartilage in his joints wears thin. This is the age where arthritis usually starts to become noticeable.

    Other age-related health conditions include kidney disease and cancer. Not all senior dogs will experience the same health issues, but knowing what may come can be helpful.

  • 02 of 04
    Close Up Head Shot of Senior Mixed Breed Dog with Tongue Out
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    Hearing loss is one of those age-related hurdles that you and your dog may have to face. The loss is usually gradual, and as you notice that your dog is becoming less responsive to verbal commands, you will have to adapt yourself to using hand signals and other non-verbal cues. Children will have to learn not to sneak up on the dog, but to stomp their feet as they come up behind him. Deaf dogs do very well in most households, so don't look at this as the end of the world for your older dog....MORE It's more likely to bother you than your dog.

    Your dog's vision may also start to decline as he ages. This may be related to cataracts or some other condition. Or, it could simply be a product of aging.

  • 03 of 04
    Grandmother on the couch with a dog
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    Cognitive dysfunction, or dementia, is a common occurrence in aging dogs. Your dog may forget where he is at times and fail to recognize people he has known his whole life. His formerly house-trained self may suddenly start having accidents in the house as if he has forgotten all his earlier training. This can be frustrating for both you and your dog.

    Cognitive dysfunction affects thousands of older dogs each year. There is no cure for dementia in dogs. However, there is hope. There are some treat...MOREments for dementia in dogs, such as medications that can help slow the process and improve the symptoms of dementia.

  • 04 of 04
    Brown Chihuahua snarling with teeth showing
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    Your dog may be headed for grumpy old fart territory, becoming irritated a lot easier than he used to. Patience tends to wear thin faster in older dogs. He may not tolerate a lot of activity like kids jumping, running and yelling around him. It's important that your dog has a quiet spot to retreat to whenever he feels the need, and that your kids know not to bother him when he is in that spot. He may not be so patient when it's time to eat either, demanding his food immediately, but...MORE don't let him get too pushy. You're still the boss.