7 Signs Your Dog Is Entering Their Senior Years

Old age creeps up on us all, but for dogs, the exact timing can vary greatly between different breeds. We know that giant dogs reach old age much faster than small dogs, but there are some features that are common to all elderly canines.

We’re going to take a look at the top signs that your dog is getting older and also what action you can take to help your senior pet.

Mobility issues are very common in older dogs. Some people refer to this as ‘slowing down’, but there is actually an array of symptoms that can indicate your senior dog has problems with their mobility, including:

• Slowing down on walks or not being able to go as far
• Reluctance to play
• Difficulty jumping up
• Stiffness, especially after resting
• Limping
• Changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, irritable, or aggressive

The most common cause of this is osteoarthritis, a painful and progressive joint condition. Osteoarthritis can occur through general age-related wear and tear, but may also be secondary to other issues such as developmental joint abnormalities or trauma.

As the condition advances, you may also notice secondary issues, including muscle wastage (atrophy) and progressive weakness.

There are many things that can be done to manage joint disease in older dogs, so a conversation with your vet is a good starting point.

As dogs get older, you may notice changes to their coat. Grey hairs are very common, especially around the nose and mouth (muzzle area), but they can also be spotted elsewhere on the body.

You may also notice a change in your dog’s coat condition, with fur appearing drier or duller due to changes in sebum production.

Callus formation is also common, with thicker skin becoming more noticeable in places like elbows and hocks. Older dogs may also have some loss in skin elasticity and slightly thinning fur.

However, coat changes can also occur because of underlying health issues. Patches of fur loss, marked fur thinning, sores, lumps, or scabs should always be investigated by a vet.

Endocrine problems, including hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease), are more common in older pets and can cause coat issues.

Many owners report that their dogs develop ‘selective hearing’ as they get older! Well, hearing loss is a definite concern in older pets. This can make giving commands trickier, especially while out walking.

Background noise or straying too far may mean your dog can’t hear you so well anymore. It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, though, so you could work on some hand signals to go with your verbal commands. Alternatively, a dog whistle may give a clearer message to dogs with hearing issues.

Loss of vision can be more problematic and is much more likely to be a sign of an underlying health concern. While changes in vision can occur with age, problems can arise due to other factors.

Examples include sudden cataract formation in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, painful swelling of the eye, and the risk of blindness in glaucoma or the gradual, non-painful vision loss of progressive retinal atrophy.

If your dog seems to be bumping into things, or they are tripping or stumbling, you should get them checked out by a vet.

Changes in metabolism and health issues can cause dogs to gain weight. Pets that suffer from mobility issues are especially prone due to a decrease in exercise, while taking a greater interest in food to keep boredom at bay.

Endocrine conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism could also contribute to increased weight.

 However, we can also see weight loss in older pets. Muscle wastage can change your dog’s physical appearance, which is a common secondary issue in dogs with underlying joint disease.

Weight loss can also occur due to health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and cancer. Regular weight and body condition checks are essential throughout your pet’s life, allowing problems to be spotted more quickly.

Senior moments are something most people experience from time to time as they get older! No doubt dogs can suffer from blips like this as they age, but for some animals, these increase in frequency.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a very common problem in senior dogs and can be likened to Alzheimer’s in people. Common signs of CDS include:

• Appearing lost or confused
• Difficulty finding resources like their bed, back door or food bowl
• Increased vocalization
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Pacing, restlessness, or repetitive behaviours
• Changes in personality
• Anxiety around being left alone
• Loss of normal training
• Getting stuck in corners or behind furniture

Your vet may want to rule out other causes for their behavior by first running blood tests. If CDS is likely, then they can suggest ways of being able to help manage your dog’s condition.

This could include changes in nutrition and supplementation with nutraceuticals, as well as prescription medications.

Incontinence may occur in older dogs, but it is often due to an underlying health issue. Urinary incontinence is perhaps more common than fecal accidents, and it can be caused by a number of issues. Some common examples include:

Toileting accidents are also much more likely in older pets with cognitive dysfunction syndrome or mobility issues.

If your dog starts having accidents in the house, you should have them checked over by a vet as many of the conditions listed can be improved or managed.

Lumps and bumps are extremely common as our pets age. There are a whole array of different types of lumps, ranging from benign through to metastatic (meaning they could spread elsewhere in the body and cause a shortened life span).

Common lumps found in older pets include:

• Lipomas: Benign fatty tumors, which can vary in size from quite small to very large. Most don’t cause problems unless they are growing rapidly or getting in the way of a limb moving. It’s not uncommon for senior dogs to develop multiple of these lumps.
• Sebaceous adenomas: These pink, cauliflower-like lumps are often small. These don’t tend to cause issues unless they are itchy or bleeding.
• Tooth root abscesses: A swelling on the face, often underneath the eye, could indicate a tooth root abscess, with dental disease common in older pets.
• Mast cell tumors (MCTs): MCTs can vary in size and appearance. They can also vary in severity, with some being low-grade and less likely to spread, and others being high-grade. They can affect all dogs but are common in Boxer dogs and Staffordshire bull terriers.
• Mammary gland tumors: Lumps in the mammary glands can vary from very small to very large and also vary in type.
• Melanomas: A dark, pigmented lump could be a melanoma. These can be found in the mouth as well as elsewhere on the body.

It’s important to get any new lumps checked over by a vet who will be able to suggest appropriate diagnostics and treatment. As with all things, the earlier treatment is started, the better the outcome is likely to be.

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