Family dogs don't have to retire as such, but the older they get, the more they will slow down on their activities and the signs of age will begin to show.
It may be that your dog no longer jumps out of the bed or basket, and that it may get tired more quickly and not be as active as before. These are some of the things that can come with having an older dog – also called a senior dog – and if you take good care of it, it can have a senior life. In collaboration with veterinarian, Anne Dorthe Broe, we have tried to outline what the signs are and how you generally take care of your dog when it gets older and becomes a senior dog.
When is my dog a senior dog?
The first question that arises is when is the dog a senior, and there is no fixed rule for that. You can't say on the date when a dog is a senior - and some dogs become senior earlier or later than others, but in general you see/say that:
– Giant breeds start to show signs of aging from 5-6 years of age
- The large breeds show signs of aging around 8 years of age
– Medium-sized breeds show signs of aging around 8-10 years of age
- The small breeds show signs of aging at the age of 10-12
What are the signs of aging?
Signs of aging come gradually, and it's rare for an owner to notice the very first signs right away. However, if your dog has reached senior age, some of the signs may include:
- That it jumps around less, moves less and is not as fast and agile as before
- That it sleeps more, and may also have become more comfortable and prefer to lie softer and warmer than before
- That it gradually becomes more rigid in the body and legs/musculoskeletal system
- That it develops arthritis, where the symptoms range from slight stiffness when it stands up to outright lameness and reluctance to move, and that it will not jump into the car anymore, for example.
- That it loses muscle mass, partly because it moves less and is less active, but also because it simply happens with age.
- That vision and hearing gradually deteriorate
- That the teeth become loose and that they need teeth cleaning more often than before
How do I give my senior dog a good life?
As a dog owner, you can help your senior dog a lot, and together you can have a wonderful time where the dog knows your daily routines and takes it a little more at ease than in his younger years - and you can both enjoy knowing each other inside and out.
- Make sure your dog doesn't get too fat. If he's too fat, help him lose weight by choosing a diet food so he still feels full while he's losing weight/on a diet. If your dog is or becomes overweight, it's even harder on his joints and body, and it has a bad effect on his metabolism and increases the risk of diabetes.
- You may want to choose a good senior food that is suitable for your dog, which helps it maintain its weight, supports its joints and strengthens its immune system.
- If necessary, supplement (the food) with dietary supplements and/or essential fatty acids that benefit the joints and strengthen the immune system, skin and coat.
- If your dog likes water, swimming is a good thing: Heated water is a balm for stiff joints, and a gentle and gentle form of exercise.
- Give your dog an extra thick cushion or a basket raised above the floor so that it doesn't get drafts that can cause even more stiffness in the joints.
- Exercise for senior dogs: It helps keep them healthy, and when it is coordinated with breed, age and physique, it is healthy for the dog to move/
- Keep an eye out for changes in behavior, appetite, thirst – and also regularly check your dog's teeth and feel the body for lumps, and have it examined if you notice anything.
- Have your dog undergo an annual health check-up with your veterinarian, and possibly have a blood test done to assess the dog's liver and kidney function, as well as metabolism.
- Treat it with lots of love!
Take good care of your senior dog
Family dogs don't have to retire as such, but the older they get, the more they will slow down on their activities and the signs of age will begin to show.
It may be that your dog no longer jumps out of the bed or basket, and that it may get tired more quickly and not be as active as before. These are some of the things that can come with having an older dog – also called a senior dog – and if you take good care of it, it can have a senior life. In collaboration with veterinarian, Anne Dorthe Broe, we have tried to outline what the signs are and how you generally take care of your dog when it gets older and becomes a senior dog.
When is my dog a senior dog?
The first question that arises is when is the dog a senior, and there is no fixed rule for that. You can't say on the date when a dog is a senior - and some dogs become senior earlier or later than others, but in general you see/say that:
– Giant breeds start to show signs of aging from 5-6 years of age
- The large breeds show signs of aging around 8 years of age
– Medium-sized breeds show signs of aging around 8-10 years of age
- The small breeds show signs of aging at the age of 10-12
What are the signs of aging?
Signs of aging come gradually, and it's rare for an owner to notice the very first signs right away. However, if your dog has reached senior age, some of the signs may include:
How do I give my senior dog a good life?
As a dog owner, you can help your senior dog a lot, and together you can have a wonderful time where the dog knows your daily routines and takes it a little more at ease than in his younger years - and you can both enjoy knowing each other inside and out.