Most dogs enter their senior years at around 7 years old, a little sooner for larger dog breeds. They begin to slow down, they may gain weight more easily, their senses start to dull. An older dog's behavior will give you plenty of hints as to what he needs, but sometimes it helps to put it in words.
It's normal for your dog to slow down a little as they age. They will typically have less stamina, and won't be able to exercise for as long as they did when they were younger.
Small dogs are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.
From Birth to 10 Weeks
They have boundless energy and curiosity. They spend most of their day playing and learning the foundations of being a dog: chasing, running, pawing, biting and fighting.
One to three year-old pups can be very energetic, hardly staying still for a single minute. As they age, however, they will begin to take longer and more frequent breaks between spurts. Most dogs will lose that seemingly abundant energy as they pass the three-to-four-year mark.
Your dog may be hyperactive for a number of reasons, including the characteristics of their breed and potential anxiety-related conditions. If your dog is highly energetic, make sure they first get all their physical exercise needs met. Keep in mind mental exercise can be just as important as physical exercise.
Depending upon how routine your life is, most dogs will have begun to work out certain patterns in your life by around three years of age and will have appeared to calm down.
Experts recommend at least 30-60 minutes of exercise per day for adult dogs (and many dogs do better with even more). And while your senior may not be up for the half-day hikes they used to do, if they're mobile, keep to a regular schedule of physical activity, including at least a half hour of daily walks.
He has lost interest in all or most of his favorite activities, such as going for walks, playing with toys or other pets, eating treats or soliciting attention and petting from family members. He cannot stand on his own or falls down when trying to walk. He has chronic labored breathing or coughing.
While there are many reasons why a need to move slowly can occur in dogs, the three most common are infection, pain, and parasites. Additionally, illnesses such as cancer can contribute to this symptom. It is important to pay attention to your dog's behavior and note any symptoms that may arise.
Of course, it's normal for dogs to slow down a bit as they get older. Joint problems, weight gain, and simply growing more tired with age are all factors that could cause an older dog to be less active.
Just like senior citizens need more sleep, an older dog sleeps a lot when compared to their younger counterparts. On the higher end of the scale, a senior dog can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day, says Dr. Rossman. She estimates that the lower end is probably around 14-15 hours per day.
Most dogs can tolerate 20-30 minute dog walks on a daily basis if they have a relatively good body condition. Some dogs in great physical health can tolerate walks up to 2 hours or go hiking for hours at a time.
Some need 1-2 hours of exercise per day, others need more than 2 hours, and some – mostly working breeds – need significantly more, plus mental stimulation throughout the day.
While it's important to exercise your dog, it's equally important to make sure they get enough rest to allow them to recover and avoid injuries. This is particularly true after an active day where you've been on a long walk or cani-cross, for example. The occasional rest day can be greatly beneficial for your pup.
Once you're sure your dog has passed, the next step is to call your veterinarian's office. A vet's office will take your dog's body and either dispose of it for you or store it for you before you have a cremation or burial. They might also know of resources like a pet crematory or a mobile vet service.
To estimate your dog's age you need to know its breed and that the first dog year is equal to 15 human years. The subsequent years of your dog are equal to 4-5 human years. As we said before, it all depends on what is the life expectancy of a dog with a certain breed but this is a good rough approximation.
Lack of Exercise
Highly active dogs need lots of exercise to be able to channel their energy and anxiety in a healthy way. It also paves the way to smooth training, good sleeping habits, and aids digestion. A lack of exercise on the other hand may lead to hyperactivity.
One of the worst aspects of having a dog as a family member is watching them age relatively quickly. Most dogs enter their senior years at around 7 years old, a little sooner for larger dog breeds. They begin to slow down, they may gain weight more easily, their senses start to dull.
According to several behavioral measures, Coren says dogs' mental abilities are close to a human child age 2 to 2.5 years.
According to several behavioral measures, Coren says dogs' mental abilities are close to a human child age 2 to 2.5 years.