All About Old Age in Dogs

Watching a dog grow old, just like watching a loved one become senile, is not fun. Your love for your dog is so great that you hate to see him suffer. The aging process attacks people and pets, but when it comes to your dog, the behavioral changes can become very disconcerting. Aging dogs can have all kinds of issues, including biting those he loves.

One sign that your dog is experiencing old age difficulties is that he suddenly starts having accidents in the home. Instead of signaling that he needs to go outdoors, he'll simply skip that step and use the bathroom inside. Don't punish your dog for this since it's really not his fault. He has lost track of the importance of always going outside and is possibly feeling too tired to do so.

Vets can now help with some symptoms of senility in dogs, with changes in his diet, medications and other treatments. Talk to your vet when you see your elderly dog suddenly change, in ways that are not positive. He can review the dog's condition and recommend various treatments.

Another sign that your dog could be having aging difficulties is that he no longer greets members of the family or familiar faces. A dog that used to come running when he saw a family member will now barely notice the person is around at all. In some instances, the dog doesn't recognize, if only for a few minutes, in other cases, he's just too tired or sickly to care.

Other red flags, when it comes to the dog's aging, are no longer caring about being petted or getting affection, seemingly doesn't recognize old, familiar things and places, no longer responds to verbal commands, sleeps more or suddenly can't sleep, seems confused or lost at times, paces back and forth or wanders too much, or that he simply lays and stares into space.

In some cases, simply changing to a new food made specifically for older dogs, can make all the difference in your pet's behavior. Some say the foods can help control disorientation, sleep problems, and even indoor bathroom accidents. Others say they notice a difference in the pet's alertness or activeness.

If your dog is getting a little long in the tooth, and is experiencing some aging difficulties, don't hesitate to seek help from the vet. New medications, foods and other treatments can give the dog physical relief, improve his mental alertness, and help him to stay with you a few more years.