How to Tell if a Dog is Aging

Although senior dogs don't qualify for the early bird special at Denny's, they do show signs of aging that are similar to those of humans. Some of the signs are obvious, whereas others are less easily detected. In any case, it’s important to be on the look out, since there are remedies to improve their quality of life, as well as ways to slow down the aging process. This is especially important if you adopted your dog and aren’t quite sure of his age. The following are ways to detect if a dog is aging.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check for gray hair around the muzzle. This is usually the first place that a dog turns gray, however, just like with humans, keep in mind that some dogs may go gray prematurely.

2. Notice if the coat is dry or dull. However, be aware that this could be a result of a nutritional deficiency rather than old age. If age is the culprit, fatty acid supplements can help with dry skin, as well as improve the coat’s luster. Older dogs also tend to have brittle nails which should be trimmed more carefully.

3. Examine the dog’s teeth for signs of yellowing or decay, which comes with age. Tooth or gum disease might make it painful for your dog to eat, so observe if she has trouble chewing or appears to have less of a desire to eat. Gum infections can also spread to the heart and kidneys. For these reasons, it is important that your dog gets a professional cleaning and scaling every 6 months to a year. Also, keep in mind that certain dogs are more prone to yellow teeth and decay than others, regardless of their age.

4. Check if the dog has cloudy eyes. Although it won’t impair vision, it is a common sign of aging. Cataracts are also common in senior dogs and some may develop glaucoma, both of which can cause vision problems and are detected by a professional eye exam.

5. Look for signs of hearing loss. A dog may snarl or snap if he doesn’t hear you approaching. Another sign is failure to obey commands.

6. Observe if there’s weight gain. A dog’s metabolism slows down with age, as well as her energy level; therefore the diet should be adjusted accordingly. Increase fiber and decrease fat to prevent obesity, which could lead to a host of health problems.

7. Determine if your dog moves slower or appears stiff, especially when he first gets up. It might also take the dog longer to get up or lay down. This can often be attributed to arthritis, which develops most often in the senior years.

8. Notice if your dog spends more time sleeping and less time playing. For example, when you throw the ball, is she as eager to chase after it as she used to be?

9. Check for changes in urinary habits. Older dogs may tend to urinate more frequently or experience incontinence (the inability to control urination).

10. Look for signs of disease and infection that can result from decreased immune function, which occurs in aging dogs. For instance, if your dog’s urine is cloudy, it might be a sign of a bladder or kidney infection.

Tips & Warnings

• There are a variety of foods, nutritional supplements, immune boosters, prescription medications and holistic remedies that treat the symptoms of aging in dogs.
• Just about any treatment for aging humans has a canine equivalent.
• Don’t let your pet’s health insurance lapse. Insurance companies may have a cut-off age beyond which they stop accepting new policyholders that may vary by breed. For instance, 8 years is a common cut-off for small breeds.