Hopefully we all will have many happy and healthy years with our dogs. However, we need to prepare for the day when our dog starts slowing down and shows signs of old age.

Depending on the breed and general health of the dog, this can be anywhere from seven to fifteen or more years down the road. Knowing what to expect and how to handle the special needs of an older dog can make the transition to old age easier for both you and your dog.

Health

Older dogs have special health concerns just like people. They can have many of the same common ailments as well, such as arthritis, cataracts, dental problems, heart disease, and cancer.

It’s important to look for signs of decline in a dog’s health and take a dog to the vet when necessary. Here are some signals that a dog is growing into old age:

• Slowing down
• Graying around muzzle and face
• Hard of hearing
• Opaque, cloudy eyes

Many health concerns in old age require a trip to the vet, but there are medications and treatments for many common canine old age ailments. Take your dog to the vet if you notice any of the following changes in your dog’s health:

• Dementia or behavioral change
• Hair loss
• Increased or decreased thirst and urination
• Increase or decreased weight or appetite
• Sudden blindness or hearing loss
• Staggering or loss of balance
• Noticeably bad breath or bleeding gums
• Arthritis

Chat with other dog lovers!

Use the "comments" tab to connect with other dog owners about:

1. How far is too far when it comes to keeping your aging dog healthy?
2. Which is worse: the ailment or the treatment? What you should ask your veterinarian about proposed drug treatments and their side effects.
3. Arthritis -- Which breeds are more prone? Can it be avoided? Does glucosomine really help?
4. Is your older dog sleeping more...or is he just bored?

Of course, keeping a dog in good health up to and through old age is the best way to avoid serious health concerns as long as possible. This means providing:

• High-quality food and water
• Adequate exercise (which slows down as a dog ages)
• Good grooming
• Regular vaccinations - be careful about these. Veterinarians are starting to discover that many pets are receiving too many vaccinations and that this can contribute to cancer. See Dr. Andrew Jones personal experience with this. After puppyhood, all that may be necessary are rabies shots and perhaps bordetella boosters if your dog is in a kennel a lot.
• Veterinary care when necessary
• Food
• Keeping your dog's weight at a proper level. You should be able to feel a dog's ribs and perhaps see ripples in the dog's coat. You should not be able to see ribs sticking out. If your dog is overweight, he or she will be much more prone to arthritis and joint problems, diabetes, heart problems etc.

Diet and Food

As dogs grow older, they often begin to have special dietary needs. There are special dog foods for many conditions, such as weight gain or loss, kidney disease, dental problems, or food allergies.

Dogs rely on their sense of smell for food. Since many dogs begin to lose the ability to detect scent in old age, most foods formulated for mature dogs will have a stronger smell than regular dog food.