WHEN IS A DOG CONSIDERED A SENIOR?
By most accounts, dogs are considered seniors after age six or seven. Large breeds age faster than small breeds, so there’s some wiggle room in that timeline.
The reality is a dog’s aging is just like a human’s. Some enter senior hood strong, while others hit their golden years already tired.
There’s a lot you can do before your dog enters those older years to help him thrive. If your dog isn’t quite six or seven or maybe just celebrated those birthdays, take a good, honest look at his fitness. We’ll talk about this more, but it’s easier for a senior dog to be healthy if he ages with a good baseline of health. If your pup needs to lose weight or build strength, it’s easier on his body if he’s younger.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A SENIOR DOG
As we age, our needs change. Same for our dogs. The food that served his body well as a young adult may need to change. The exercise routine that kept him fit may need to be adjusted. The once-a-year trip to the vet might need to become a bi-annual affair. While senior dogs can live long, happy, healthy, fulfilled lives, it’s up to us to tweak their care to ensure that happens.
Let’s dig into a few general categories–fitness, health and wellness, and fun–with specific ideas.
FITNESS
Three years ago, John trained for a marathon. He was already a runner and completed several half marathons, but he decided to tackle the full. His training regiment built incrementally onto duration and distance. Throughout his training, Cooper ran alongside him–up until the 8- or 9-mile marker. Then, John decided Coop was done and brought him home.
Cooper would’ve run the full 26 miles if John let him. He would’ve run until he dropped. He still would–if we let him. But we don’t. Because we can see the dramatically elongated recovery time he faces after each run. We can see the soreness in his joints. We can also see the sheer joy he gets from running, so now we modify his runs to accommodate his almost-11-year-old body.
Fitness encompasses food and exercise, and both the food your dog eats and the exercise he gets contribute to his overall wellness.
The first place to start when assessing your dog’s fitness level? The vet.
We’ll discuss veterinary care in greater detail in the next section, but check in with your vet about your dog’s weight. Are there any concerns? Does he need to gain or lose a few pounds to be in better shape? Ask your vet for ideas. Some might be as simple as feeding less food. Others may include a specific exercise routine.
Many seniors do slow down. They live more sedentary lives, resting more and getting less strenuous exercise. It stands to reason, then, that their metabolisms slow down, too–just like our aging metabolisms! If you’re struggling to keep your senior’s weight down, here are three simple ideas that might help:
- Swap out store-bought treats for fresh fruits and veggies. Carrots, blueberries, apple slices, and so on all make excellent low-cal treats for pups who still deserve treats (i.e. all of them!) but also need to watch their weight. Here’s a list of 15 veggies to consider along with details on how best to serve them.
- Don’t skip the walks. It’s hard, I know. Our schedules are busy, the weather is bad, and the backyard is so convenient. However, for your dog’s longevity, take those daily walks. It’s great for him to keep his joints moving, his muscles working, and his heart pumping. Bonus points: Add a tiny bit of distance (one more block, two more houses, a second lap, etc.) or a second walk each day to really boost your dog’s fitness level.
- Be mindful of table scraps. We all do it: slip a bite under the table, set a bowl down for your pup to lick, drop a scrap and not bother to pick it up because, of course, the dog will get it. All those bits and bites add up. In our house, it’s the toddler and the preschooler who are guiltiest of this behavior, so we’ve started putting Cooper behind a baby gate during meals to keep him from getting too much. Plus, digestive issues are incredibly common among seniors, so fewer food oddities are in their best interest.
You might want to add in supplements, too, but talk that over with your vet first. Cooper takes a bunch, like probiotics, fish oil, and a joint supplement. Of course these are optional and depend on your dog and your budget.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Your vet should be your partner in caring for your senior dog.
Your dog might have been one of the lucky ones, thriving on his once-a-year checkup and vaccinations. That’s never been our lot in life, but if it was yours–that’s awesome! Though be aware: Senior dogs need a lot more veterinary care.
First, most dogs need to go to the vet twice a year. One of those visits should include a blood panel, and it’s ideal to get a baseline when your pup is on the younger side of senior hood.
Second, many aging pups experience similar side effects of getting older as we do, like:
- Diminished or lost vision
- Diminished or lost hearing
- Digestive issues
- Joint aches
- Obesity
- Heart problems
- Cancer
- Chronic conditions
And so on.
The incredible thing about veterinary medicine is that most of these things are treatable, manageable, even curable these days. Unfortunately, lots of senior dogs dumped in shelters are there because of these health conditions–either because of a misconception that they’re unable to take care of their dog’s condition, or perhaps that they’re unable to afford the care. Two suggestions to tackle the financial aspect of veterinary care for aging dogs:
- Consider starting a specific fund for your pet’s long-term care. There are a zillion apps these days that do small things like round up your grocery bill and sock away the difference, or you can set apps to auto-withdraw a couple bucks from each paycheck. Here’s a list of 13 apps to look into.
- If you truly can’t afford your dog’s care and something’s come up before you had the chance to save, first, talk to your vet to see if they can help you work out a payment plan. Or, consider applying from assistance. Here are two lists with lots of ideas: this one and this one.
I know many people utilize pet insurance, too. I have no first-hand experience so am hesitant to recommend any service. However, google something like, “pet insurance comparison,” to get a good overview and decide if it’s right for you.
And remember: A fit dog will cost less in veterinary care in the long run. It pays to keep your dog at a healthy weight, to feed him healthy food, and to get lots of exercise. It’s just like us, so think of it as paying dividends for your health, too!
Feed your pup the healthiest food you can afford. Take lots of walks together. Keep up with preventative care. You’ll both be happier and healthier for it!
FUN
Obviously life isn’t just what we eat, how we exercise, or which doctors we see. However, those things weigh heavily on our overall well being.
If you feel good, you can have more fun! For senior dogs, “fun” might not look like long swims in the lake or hours chasing a ball at the park. Or, then again, it might. Ensuring your dog has a great time throughout his golden years is one of the most enjoyable parts of loving an old dog.
When our beloved, belated Emmett was nearing the end of his life, he was around 14 years old, and his greatest joy was to find a patch of sunlight in the yard and bake his bones. Give him a squeaky tennis ball to chew like a piece of gum, and the boy was in heaven. We made sure he had the chance to do that as often as possible.
For Cooper, he still loves to run. We just keep them shorter–maybe two or three miles–and take him every second or third day. He also loves chewing his toys and playing tug so those are part of his routine, too.
Whatever brings your dog joy, find ways to incorporate it into your daily routine, not just for special occasions. Every day is a special occasion.
Happiness also means comfort. Maybe your dog needs a heated blanket or a cooling mat. Perhaps a bolster bed does the trick. Or maybe he just wants his fluffy blanket at the foot of your bed… and perhaps a ramp to help him get up there. Whatever makes him most comfy matters. Pay attention to where your dog prefers to doze and if he seeks heat or cold. See if you can adjust your home in small ways to make your pup more comfortable.
