Sharing your life with a dog is a beautiful and rewarding experience in so many ways. One of the emotionally most challenging aspects of life together, however, is to see them grow old right before our eyes. They have passed an entire life, while for us, it was only a fraction of our time. Honoring the relationship with our dog means to care for them when they most need us: as they become old and fragile.
I dedicate this article to my senior dog, and to yours. Hopefully, some of the information and suggested further reading can be as useful to you as it was for me in caring for my old pup.
1. Be attentive, recognize the changes
We can be so absorbed by our routines and schedules that we fail to see when things change. Maybe your senior dog plays less. Maybe they look a little stiffer or getting tired faster on your walks. Maybe they sleep more or eat less. Whatever it might be, the first step is recognizing that some things have changed for your dog. They may lose mobility, eyesight, hearing, etc. Some of these changes might indicate an acute issue that needs veterinary attention. Others might be just a testimony of all the years that have passed, and that’s OK. Observe, listen to them and adapt to their new needs.
2. Look out for signs of pain
As mentioned above, some changes in your dog might be just related to their slower metabolism and reduced stamina. However, you will find that in many cases, some degree of pain might be involved. Pain can manifest physically (like limping) but also purely behaviorally (like touch-sensitivity, reactivity or lone stranger behavior). Chronic pain can be incredibly debilitating and the main source of your dog’s “grumpiness” or unsocial behavior. If you suspect that your dog is in pain, try to find the cause and talk to your vet to assist you in taking further steps.
This quick guide to assess pain in your own dog can be really useful.
3. Stay informed about the medical conditions they might be facing
After many years of life, it is almost inevitable for your senior to not have some smaller or bigger aches and issues. I have picked up three very common conditions and linked further reading for those who want to go deeper. Being well-informed is key when facing challenging situations and choosing your next steps.
Cancer is the number one cause of death in dogs. If your senior dog is older than 10 years, unfortunately, there is a 50% chance that they will develop some sort of cancer1. At first, such a diagnosis can smash your world into pieces, but once you have brought your own emotions under control, you will realize that there are actually quite a few things that can be done to improve and even extend your dogs’ life. In addition to bringing your senior to regular vet check-ups and follow a traditional cancer therapy (if you decide this is suitable for your pup), the rest of the article will provide you with plenty of ideas on how to help your senior live a fulfilled and joyful life.
Two great sources for further information are the National Canine Cancer Foundation and dogcancer.com
For your peace of mind, you can learn to perform some simple manual examinations in order to catch any palpable lump as early as possible.
Dog dementia or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) is estimated to affect 14-60% of dogs aged 8 and more, with increasing prevalence as the dog ages2. Symptoms can be diffuse, which, unfortunately, leaves many senior dogs with CCD, undiagnosed. Excessive sleeping during the day, restlessness during the night, pacing, staring at the wall, disorientation, excessive licking, altered social behavior, sudden aggression. All these can be signs of CCD. This checklist can help you spot the symptoms and talk to your vet about it.
Although CCD can sometimes improve with treatment, it is generally a condition that tends to worsen with time. Try to keep your pup engaged with mental activities. Support them with your love and patience as good as you can, but don’t forget yourself in the process.
Living with a CCD dog can drastically decrease your quality of life, and it is important to not beat yourself up about not being able to be your best self every single day. It is OK if you need a break. It is OK if you feel that sometimes the burden overshadows your love for your dog. You are just a human, and you are doing an incredible job in caring for your furry baby. Get support. Be it family, friends or dedicated CCD support groups. It can make all the difference.
Check out dogdementia.com and this FB group for further information.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that it is one of the top reasons for (chronic) pain in dogs. Usually considered an “old dog disease”, recent studies have shown that 40% of young (< 4y old) dogs show signs of OA with the majority of them experiencing at least some degree of pain3. Unfortunately, owners spot the signs of pain in only 30% of cases3, which means that by the time your senior dog gets diagnosed with OA, they have been living with it for years.
Just because your dog is old, you do not have to accept that they are in pain. Ask your vet about pain management. There are many options, from prescription drugs to natural remedies, that you can try. Additional to pain management, there are a variety of easy lifestyle changes that you can adopt in order to greatly improve your senior’s quality of life. The ones I consider most essential, are listed in the upcoming points.
Canine Arthritis Management is a truly wonderful resource with plenty of free content on this topic.
4. Eliminate slippery floors and provide ramps to elevated resting areas
Slippery floors are the reason why joint pain is progressing! If your floor is lined with tiles or similar slippery surfaces, your pup is having a hard time navigating at home as their limbs are constantly slipping away under their body.
Slippery floors are even dangerous for puppies and constitute a considerable risk factor for developing clinical signs of hip dysplasia (which leads to osteoarthritis) as adults4. But don’t worry, you don’t need to move to another place. Just get out some rugs or yoga mats onto the areas that are most frequented by your pup.
Another adjustment can be done if your senior dog loves to rest on elevated areas like the sofa or bed but you notice that they become hesitant to jump up or down. Provide ramps and introduce them with some treats until your dog uses them properly.
5. Elevate their food and water bowl
Again related to joint pain and muscle strain. What is fine for most young dogs can be a difficult task for seniors. By elevating their food and water bowls, they don’t need to stretch their neck all the way until the ground and can eat/drink with much less effort.
If you are unsure, just try it out: Propose an elevated water bowl next to a water bowl on the ground and observe your dog’s preference over the course of a week or two. They will tell you everything you need to know.
6. Continue with (moderate) regular exercise
Even if your dog seems to have become a couch potato and doesn’t ask for more than quick rounds to relieve themselves, you should encourage them to be active. Daily. Short and more frequent is better than long and less frequent walks.
You might need to adapt your routine, but have them stay active is key to their health. Physical activity keeps their muscles healthy and helps pump oxygen through their tissues. This is what eventually helps repair tissues, remove cellular waste products and nourishes their body.
7. Hydrate abundantly
Water is life. All biological processes need water and we know all too well that hydration is a crucial factor in staying healthy and fighting off disease. Seniors love water and get thirsty more frequently. Be sure to have water available at all times and in multiple places of your home. Also bring water on your walks, especially if it is warm outside, they will appreciate it.
8. Provide a calm and safe environment for them to rest
This is particularly important if your senior dog shares the household with kids, puppies or other younger, energetic dogs. These might not necessarily have an appropriate sense of limits when it comes to the rest that your senior needs. Be sure to set the limits and create areas where your senior can chill undisturbed.
The same is true if you host events in your home while your dog would rather chill in a corner. Make sure they can always retreat into their calm area when needed.
9. Provide mental stimulation to counteract their brain fog
Keeping your senior dog engaged in mental activities will keep their brain in better shape for longer. If your dog has never been confronted with toys or food puzzles, they may totally despise them at first. However, if your pup is giving up quickly, it does not mean they are not interested, but rather that they don’t know how these games work.
Introduce them slowly and make it (especially in the beginning) really, really easy. There are tons of creative ways how you can bring delicious treats to your senior, and they will be happy to eat them!
See here for an example on how to teach a senior to use a food toy.
10. Give seniors high quality food
Every dog deserves high quality food, but for seniors, food can be a substantial factor contributing to either their health decline or maintenance. You shouldn’t focus so much on food labels trying to sell you “senior food” but rather follow a few common-sense rules regarding what goes into their bowl and what stays outside:
- choose high quality protein (real meat vs. meat meal)
- choose more digestible ingredients (fresh, home cooked or low temperature preserved vs. industrially processed or extruded)
- choose high fiber content
- add antioxidants
- fat is a better energy source than carbohydrates
- avoid excessive amounts of carbohydrates, as these are not nutritionally necessary for your dog.
If you can only afford kibble, there are still many ways how to pimp their bowl up with some every-day human ingredients that are hugely beneficial for dogs. Think eggs, sardines, yogurt, meat, cooked vegetables, etc. … For those, who want to go deeper into that topic, I highly recommend reading the book The Forever Dog.
11. Provide supplements that improve their quality of life
The market for supplements has exploded in recent years, and although here are many potentially beneficial substances out there, you should bear in mind that there is no regulation as to quality and efficacy of those products. That means that different companies will provide different qualities (and concentrations!) of the seemingly same supplement. Just because they claim their product to be efficient, doesn’t mean it is true. Therefore, it is best to always do your own research. I found the following supplements to be of particular interest:
Fish oil has been around for so many years, I can even recall being given fish oil as a child. Expectably, there is a huge body of research on the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids (which are the major beneficial component of fish oil).
In humans, Omega-3 fatty acids have proven benefits for conditions like arthritis, arteriosclerosis and diseases affecting the heart and eyes5. The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly well investigated and are shown to positively impact conditions with chronic inflammation such as osteoarthritis in humans6–8 but also dogs9.
The bottom line is: adding fish oil to your seniors’ diet can be a good option, just make sure the additional calories do not transform into additional kilos on their hips.
Here is a great source on the benefits and correct dosage for dogs with osteoarthritis, and another comprehensive overview to the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for cats and dogs.
Chondroitin and Glucosamine are natural components of healthy joints, and therefore often used (together) as supplements in conditions like osteoarthritis.
Although Chondroitin and Glucosamine are among the most popular choices for supplements in seniors, current scientific research provides only limited evidence for their effectiveness in OA in humans10,11 and no current evidence in dogs9.
There seem to be no adverse effects, which means trying these supplements won’t harm your dog, but most likely it is going to be a waste of your money.
Cannabidiol (CBD), the best studied non-psychoactive component of cannabis, has gained incredible popularity over the last decade. In humans, CBD is used to treat conditions like chronic pain/inflammation, anxiety, epilepsy and cancer12,13. Although we clearly need more data, CBD is a promising component with a wide spectrum of possible applications and as many as 475 completed or ongoing clinical trials worldwide in early 2024.
In dogs, CBD has shown promising results for conditions like osteoarthritis, pruritus (chronic itchy skin) and epilepsy9,14. Currently, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of CBD are best studied for joint pain management, with encouraging results for providing pain relief15. In vitro studies also suggest efficacy of CBD in decreasing canine cancer cell proliferation16.
Overall, although more research is needed, CBD seems to be a good choice if you are looking for an anti-inflammatory or analgesic natural supplement, but pay attention to purchase a high quality, organic product that can provide an independent lab certificate.
12. Consider massage or physiotherapy
As illustrated earlier, at this age your senior is most likely suffering from osteoarthritis to some degree. Dysfunctional joints put excessive strain on affiliated muscles. As a result, compensatory changes occur. That means muscle groups that wouldn’t usually be activated are excessively loaded. These compensations lead to accumulated tensions over time.
Tensions can be soothed with massage, but the benefits of massage or physiotherapy extend well beyond wellbeing: consistent and targeted physical therapy alone is capable of significantly improving your dogs’ mobility17.
If you cannot bring your dog to a professional massage or physical therapist for whatever reason (your dog doesn’t like to be touched by strangers, or no professional in your town), there are a lot of online possibilities nowadays. Several physiotherapists propose online gait analysis and tailored exercises that your dog could greatly benefit from. Personally, I had a very good experience with the distance support program from GALEN Myotherapy. Just find what seems right for you.
Whether you chose to try massage on your dog yourself or seek professional support, always pay attention to your dogs’ body language during the procedure and make sure they actually enjoy it.
13. Enjoy the time you have left
Time flies by so fast. You remember them as puppies as if it was yesterday, and today you already scroll the internet for advice on how to care for your beloved senior.
It can be difficult to even think of the possibility of losing them. But before you find yourself mourning a future that has not yet arrived, remind yourself that what you do have is the now, the present moment. Being present will make you happier and calmer.
Practice being present with your pup by your side and learn from them because they are true masters of this art! If you feel lost, just breathe and remember: you don’t need to be a perfect human. You are their human, and that’s perfectly enough.
Bibliography
- Cancer in Pets | American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed January 13, 2024. https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/cancer-pets
- MacQuiddy B, Moreno JA, Kusick B, McGrath S. Assessment of risk factors in dogs with presumptive advanced canine cognitive dysfunction. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:958488. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.958488
- Prevalence of Radiographic Appendicular Osteoarthritis and Associated Clinical Signs in Young Dogs. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3580885/v1
- van Hagen MAE, Ducro BJ, van den Broek J, Knol BW. Incidence, risk factors, and heritability estimates of hind limb lameness caused by hip dysplasia in a birth cohort of boxers. Am J Vet Res. 2005;66(2):307-312. doi:10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.307
- Omega-3 Supplements: In Depth. NCCIH. Accessed January 12, 2024. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/omega3-supplements-in-depth
- So J, Wu D, Lichtenstein AH, et al. EPA and DHA differentially modulate monocyte inflammatory response in subjects with chronic inflammation in part via plasma specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Atherosclerosis. 2021;316:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.11.018
- Cordingley DM, Cornish SM. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2022;14(16):3362. doi:10.3390/nu14163362
- Calder PC. Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes: nutrition or pharmacology? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013;75(3):645-662. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04374.x
- Barbeau-Grégoire M, Otis C, Cournoyer A, Moreau M, Lussier B, Troncy E. A 2022 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enriched Therapeutic Diets and Nutraceuticals in Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(18):10384. doi:10.3390/ijms231810384
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis. NCCIH. Accessed January 12, 2024. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/glucosamine-and-chondroitin-for-osteoarthritis-what-you-need-to-know
- Glucosamine, Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis Pain | Arthritis Foundation. Accessed January 12, 2024. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/supplements-and-vitamins/glucosamine-chondroitin-osteoarthritis-pain
- Sholler DJ, Schoene L, Spindle TR. Therapeutic Efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD): A Review of the Evidence from Clinical Trials and Human Laboratory Studies. Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(3):405-412. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00326-8
- O’Brien K. Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Management. Cancers. 2022;14(4):885. doi:10.3390/cancers14040885
- Corsato Alvarenga I, Panickar KS, Hess H, McGrath S. Scientific Validation of Cannabidiol for Management of Dog and Cat Diseases. Annu Rev Anim Biosci. 2023;11(1):227-246. doi:10.1146/annurev-animal-081122-070236
- Di Salvo A, Conti MB, Della Rocca G. Pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of cannabidiol in dogs: an update of current knowledge. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1204526. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1204526
- Henry JG, Shoemaker G, Prieto JM, Hannon MB, Wakshlag JJ. The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis. Vet Comp Oncol. 2021;19(2):253-265. doi:10.1111/vco.12669
- Dybczyńska M, Goleman M, Garbiec A, Karpiński M. Selected Techniques for Physiotherapy in Dogs. Anim Open Access J MDPI. 2022;12(14):1760. doi:10.3390/ani12141760
