Dogs age. It's a fact. Your dog may still look and act like a puppy, but once he reaches his seventh birthday, he might as well apply for canine social security. He's a senior now even though he may or may not look like an oldster for a few more years. Giant and large breeds show their ages sooner, sometimes around five or six years, while medium and small breeds may not appear “old” until age ten or twelve. Toy dogs tend to take longer to show their age.

One-third of your dog's life will be spent as a senior and he will experience many physical and mental changes. As his owner, some of these are easier to deal with than others, and it's painful to watch your beloved canine slip into old age, but take heart!

Today, experts know more about caring for older dogs. Medical researchers are constantly studying new ways to combat age-related health problems, and it's no surprise that more natural therapies are becoming part of mainstream veterinary care.

Commercial food is available especially for seniors, and even pet product manufacturers are getting into the act of helping old dogs lead healthier lives. The latest designs in heated, orthopedic dog beds are just what stiff joints need, and there are indoor ramps for dogs that can no longer jump into the car or onto the bed or couch. Wheeled vehicles help dogs with rear legs that can no longer support them.

Physical Differences

The outward signs of old age come on gradually. Slower movements are the first hint that your dog is aging. It will take him longer to get up from a nap or go up or down stairs. Look too for a shift in your dog's weight, decreased muscle tone, and gray or lighter-colored hair on his muzzle and eyebrows.

His coat may have an odor, and it may be flaky, greasy, and thinner, with some bald spots. Regular bathing, brushing, and combing will help restore natural oils to the skin. Aloe vera gel applied directly to the skin will help soothe irritations from itching or biting.

Your dog will also need to urinate more often and may have stiff or painful joints. Dental health becomes an issue in the golden years if good oral habits weren't established early. Your dog may have bad breath, sore and swollen gums, and loose or broken teeth, and he may be reluctant to chew his food.

Loss of the Senses

As your dog ages, his senses will dull. His sense of hearing, vision, and smell will all diminish. He may not hear the doorbell when it rings or wake up as quickly when you come home. Many seniors develop cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye that can cause partial or total vision loss. Although surgery can remove cataracts, it is expensive. Senior dogs also develop a more benign eye change called lenticular sclerosis, which is a normal aging change and does not require treatment. It looks like a cataract, but the veterinarian can make a definitive diagnosis.

Dogs do adapt to sensory changes and you can help your dog get around. If your dog has difficulty navigating around the house and he's easily disoriented in the dark, keep the furniture where it is. Now is not the time for a remodeling project. Go through the house to make sure there's nothing that can hurt him if he wanders, and regularly check the fence and gate so he won't get loose in the neighborhood.

Chronic Diseases of the Elderly

The geriatric years may also signal the onset and progression of chronic diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney and liver failure, and heart problems. While medications are available to treat these problems, giving your dog the right diet, regular exercise, and holistic care all helps.

Mental Differences

Expect your aging canine to have a few senior moments as his mental capacities start to diminish. He may go into a room and stand there as if he's forgotten what he came in to do, or he'll prefer napping to going out in the yard. Maybe he won't be so anxious to scare off that squirrel on the fence that has taunted him for years, or he may have lost interest in warning the mail carrier to step away from your mailbox.

You may see other behavioral changes in your older dog. He may be confused, disoriented, and more sensitive to noise and sounds than he once was. Thunderstorms or smoke alarms make him tremble and cower. He may have been okay whenever you left him alone before, but now he suffers from separation anxiety and barks or becomes destructive in your absence. He may also have difficulty paying attention.