Desi turned 10 years old in October. This was a milestone for him and for me as I've never had a collie live long enough to make it to double digits. While Desi has always struck me as an old soul (super mellow, very self contained), watching him actually age has been bittersweet. His hearing isn't as good as it used to be, though he can still hear the cheese drawer open if there aren't any other noises going on. He was never a fast walker, but now I would describe his pace as a slow amble. His face is turning white and he even has a few gray hairs on his previously all black head. Naps have always been his favorite past-time (after snacking, of course), but he spends most of his days napping now, moving from spot to spot around the house. He is most active and spunky in the morning when he trots around, tail held high, barking at me to get a move on with his breakfast. We have a routine that we go through when he takes his medication for his arthritis. Desi loves routines. If it's 2 p.m. and I haven't gotten out the dog bones, he lets me know. And he always knows when it is 5 p.m. At night time, however, I really notice Desi's age. He is slow to rouse when I wake him up to move him into our bedroom to sleep; it often takes him a minute to gather his thoughts and head to the back of the house. He loves his bedtime snack and tucks himself right in and falls back to sleep.
My observations of Desi are quite similar to the stories my clients tell me about their aging dogs. While I have a few clients whose dogs have remained super-active, most have slowed down and seem to be enjoying their "golden years." I talk so much here about puppies and adolescent dogs, it seemed like it was really time to give senior dogs (dogs over 9 years of age) their due. While senior dogs often make themselves so easy to care for that you almost don't give it much thought, you really should. Keeping your senior dog's mind (and body) active and engaged is incredibly important to their continued health and well-being.
Senior dogs still need their walks; they may need the walks shortened, but they still need to sniff and explore their world. Let them take their time and really enjoy those sniffs. Play with your senior dogs. While many may not be able to physically handle a strenuous game of fetch, most enjoy a brief game of tug or short distance fetch. Dental disease can be a large problem in senior dogs, so make sure you are brushing their teeth and providing them with appropriate chewing options that can clean their teeth and provide oral stimulation. Desi doesn't enjoy hard bones any more, but he loves his CET Veggiedent Chews and gets one everyday They help clean his teeth and give him a fun, age-appropriate chewing option. Senior dogs often need a diet change too. Because they've slowed down, it is easy for senior dogs to put on weight. Add in joint pain, disc disease, and arthritis and you have a sedentary dog who is heavy and making those issues more pronounced. A diet formulated for senior dogs, rich in antioxidants and good fats, but lower in calories, is often the perfect solution. Desi is actually on the dental diet from Hill's Science Diet as that helps to keep his teeth in the best condition as well. Joint supplements like Glucosamine with Chondroitin help a lot of senior dogs, but may not be enough if their pain is significant or widespread. Consult your veterinarian to discuss the different options available for pain management. While many humans may think of arthritis as a natural outcome of the aging process in dogs, it certainly doesn't have to be something your dog just lives with. Arthritis is treatable and should be for your dog's comfort and peace of mind.
Senior dogs still need mental exercise. Just as we might give a senior human family member a book of crossword puzzles or sudoku to keep their mind active, senior dogs need a similar challenge. Continue to use interactive feeding toys like those from Kong, Busy Buddy, Starmark, and Outward Hound to keep your senior dog's mind engaged. Desi enjoys his toys from all of these companies, as well as his snuffle mat and an occasional egg carton filled with goodies!
Some senior dogs develop fairly pronounced anxiety. It may manifest as separation anxiety, noise sensitivity, twilighters (evening agitation), or anxiety related to health issues such as diminishing vision, or hearing loss. For some dogs, just as for some people, senility can become a problem with aging. While it isn't a given that a dog will become mentally impaired, it is possible. Oftentimes the first signs are a lapse in house training, wandering aimlessly around the house, and a disruption of their normal sleep pattern. If you see any of these signs in your older dog, get them in to see your veterinarian for an evaluation and blood work. Once other issues like pain have been ruled out as a cause for the behavior change, you can then treat those problems with supplements or even a drug called Anipryl. Pfizer, the manufacturer of Anipryl, has a quiz on their webiste that dog owners can take to determine if senility may be occurring in their pet. You can complete the quiz and then share with your veterinarian during your senior pet's appointment. Senior pets need regular veterinary appointments that include exams and blood work to stay on top of physical changes associated with the aging process.
I love senior dogs and cats. They may move a bit slower but their overall calm behavior is such a nice change from the frantic pace I see in the puppies and adolescent dogs I am working with daily. And I love that my clients reach out for help through all of the stages in their pets' lives. I am truly blessed.
As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.
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