Without proper care, dental disease can po… Ending your dog’s life at home also allows you to control the environment in which your dog passes away: You can give your senior all the creature comforts you want. Please enter an address, city and/or zip code. There's not much concern about "senior," with 95 percent saying they would not be offended if their vet referred to their pet as such, and only 3 percent saying they would be offended. Work with your veterinarian to decide what diet is best for your senior dog. Is the fact that pet owners understand the terms to have different meanings owed to veterinarians using both "senior" and "geriatric" (whichever is applicable) when talking to them? Want to give your pup yummy, low-calorie treats? Balance Issues. Some aging signs to look for, other than the date on the calendar, include: If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it is time to get your veterinarian involved to help you improve your companion’s quality of life. Schedule a veterinary checkup to discuss ways to help your aging dog. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest-Based Ads Chewy Careers, Copyright © 2020 Chewy, Inc. All rights reserved. If your vet determines that the behavior changes are indeed due to weakening vision, there are some work-arounds that might help your dog. When indoors, you can help by putting the dog’s bed close to a heat source, or providing a heating pad that can be plugged in to provide consistent warmth. Because you loved your senior well, you can’t avoid the pain that comes with such a loss. © We love senior dogs just as much as when they were puppies, but some of us might be in denial when it comes to admitting that they’ve entered their senior years. He may tire more easily. Caitlin UltimoApril 12, 2019Health / Wellness. What do the terms "senior" and "geriatric" mean to you when it comes to dogs and cats? Though they may act just as hungry and treat-crazed as ever, their body isn’t burning the calories the same way, so they gain weight. 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. Many dogs develop lumps and bumps while they age. Our veterinarian reveals why the payoff for your pet is well worth any extra work. Endocrine issues, including those impacting the adrenal glands and thyroid, can also affect aging dogs. ‘I get confused sometimes and may forget some of our old rules.’. They begin to slow down, they may gain weight more easily, their senses start to dull. In fact, he may forget behaviors he’s known for a long time such as being house trained. At What Age Does A Dog Become A Senior Dog. You can also provide ramps where a dog needs to climb stairs, take shorter but more frequent walks, provide opportunities to swim or have other non-impactful exercise, provide him with an orthopedic bed and elevated food and water dishes, and even simple measures like not calling him to come to you when he’s lying down unless it’s necessary.