You can know if your senior dog is in pain by observing for behavior changes. Symptoms such as limping, reluctance to walking and rising, sitting, or shifting body weight to one side of the hip, are easy giveaways as far as pain is very likely involved.
Walks become shorter, or their gait changes during the walks. Sometimes there are behavior changes, like being irritable when being touched or approached. Certainly, limping and crying are signs of pain as well, however these tend to come much later and when the pain is severe.
In addition to being less active, many dogs at this age begin to develop digestive issues, kidney problems and other conditions that can benefit from diet modification. Only your veterinarian can accurately assess your dog's needs.
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.
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.
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.
Walking is beneficial for any age dog, even senior dogs. Walking is low-impact exercise that helps promote overall health and helps dogs maintain their strength. Regardless of age, dogs need regular exercise and should be walked daily. However, as your dog ages you need to modify their walk a bit.
Just when you may feel like you have hit your stride, the next big “difficult period” shows up! Many owners are totally blindsided by this next phase. It can vary a bit based on each dog, but your puppy likely will hit “adolescence” around 7-10 months, with 8-9 months being the peak described by most owners.
Age is just a number, but distance isn't.
Your older dog may begin to struggle with longer walks. The key is to make your walks shorter, but more frequent. That way, your four-legged friend is still getting regular exercise, but you aren't tiring them out all in one go.
Constant whining or whimpering lets you know that something just isn't right with your dog. Even more obvious than a whine, a yelp or crying out in pain when you touch your dog is his way of letting you know that he hurts.
Silent pain builds up very slowly over time and is often misunderstood as signs of aging - slowing down on walks, showing stiffness on lying down or getting up, changing how they stand and sit, changes in fur patterns.
There are many disorders of the respiratory system that can lead to breathing difficulties and panting in older dogs. Some of the most common include laryngeal paralysis, pyothorax, lung tumours, bronchitis and pneumonia.
If your pet is in a lot of pain, your veterinarian may prescribe an anti-inflammatory for your dog. There are many prescription-strength NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory) that may be suitable or you may find a combination of Omega 3 fish oil and glucosamine works well for your dog.
With support from orthopedic braces, a healthy diet, regular exercise, as well as homeopathic support, your older dog may have many happy and healthy years ahead, free of back leg collapse. Talk to your vet and ask if a hip brace may alleviate your older dog's hind leg weakness.
Large dogs may age faster, becoming seniors as early as 6 or 7, while smaller dogs may not start showing signs of age until they are 9 or 10. One of the most common concerns in senior dogs is arthritis, which can cause a dog to move stiffly and slowly and sometimes also gain weight because of decreased activity.
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.
The average lifespan of a dog is between 10 and 13 years, but some can live much longer.
However, it's really dependent on breed: Small breeds (<20lbs) typically live slightly longer than that average, with some reaching 16 years of age or more. Medium breeds (20-50lbs) sit right around the average of 11-13 years. Large breeds (50-90lbs) will sit on the lower end of average, at 9-11 years.
The Average Dog Life Span
The average life span for dogs is between 10–13 years, though there is variability among breeds and sizes.
If you have an older dog who has started to slow down on walks and has difficulty getting up and down the stairs, your dog may be suffering from arthritis. This disease, most commonly seen in older dogs, can affect the legs, hips, back, and more—making everyday movements painful.