Like all living organisms, dogs also face ageing and all the difficulties associated with this process. Although tissues are endowed with a potential for regeneration and recovery, at a certain point deterioration becomes stronger and more significant.
But how does aging occur in dogs specifically? Well, it's a complex biological process that involves the progressive deterioration of physiological functions and the gradual loss of cellular integrity. All of this is influenced by the animal's genetics and also by environmental and lifestyle aspects.
Ageing is not only reflected in a dog's increased white hair. It affects multiple systems in the body, including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous and immune systems. For this reason, many relatively common diseases in dogs, such as diabetes, heart problems, hearing and visual loss, arthritis, among others, are called age-related diseases.
What are the signs of canine ageing?
Changes in Vision
You may notice your dog's eyes becoming blurry or difficulty seeing. Eye clouding can occur so gradually that you may not notice it immediately. Although it's common in elderly dogs and usually doesn't affect vision, it can also be a sign of canine cataracts or other eye diseases, most of which are treatable. Your dog may start bumping into things or have difficulty locating familiar objects on the floor. This could signal vision loss.
Bad breath
Although bad breath in dogs can be common at any age, if your dog suddenly has terrible breath, this could indicate gum disease, tooth decay or an oral infection. The immune system weakens as dogs get older and they are not able to fight off infections as easily as when they were younger. In addition to a good dental cleaning, your vet may decide to carry out blood tests to rule out infection.
Slow or Difficult to Move
An older dog may have difficulty with stairs, jumping into the car or simply getting up after a nap. You may notice weakness in the back legs. Although we all get slower as we get older, your dog's mobility problems may be caused by canine arthritis or another degenerative disease. In addition to any pain or arthritis medication or dog food supplements recommended by your vet, you'll need to adjust your dog's exercise regime to slower, shorter walks or a new exercise routine. Swimming with your dog, for example, is gentle on the body and many dogs love it.
New lumps and bumps
Some dogs are prone to harmless fatty lipomas, but these lumps under the skin are more common as dogs get older. However, your vet should check any new lumps on your dog to rule out a malignant tumor.
Weight Change
It's not surprising that older, less active dogs sometimes gain weight. You may have to adjust your dog's diet and exercise to maintain a healthy weight. However, you should also pay attention if your elderly dog loses weight. This weight loss can be the result of a reduction in muscle mass, which is common in older dogs, or it can be caused by reduced appetite, malabsorption of nutrients or a digestive disease. If your dog loses more than 10% of its body weight in a few months, or even a year, consult your vet.
Incontinence or Difficulty Urinating or Defecating
If your dog suddenly seems to forget his house training or seems to have difficulty urinating, these could be signs of a urinary tract infection or canine kidney disease. However, incontinence is not uncommon in elderly dogs and there are canine incontinence medications that can help.
Other signs of canine ageing
In addition to physical changes, elderly dogs can also show behavioral and cognitive changes.
These changes can indicate health problems or be a natural part of the ageing process. For example, a previously docile dog who becomes irritable may be suffering from pain, possibly due to arthritis, or experiencing other physical discomfort. Similarly, older dogs tend to sleep more, which is normal and healthy for their age.
In addition, changes in behavior can be symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS). Studies show that CCDS affects between 14% and 35% of dogs over the age of eight. Similar to Alzheimer's in humans, CCDS can cause significant changes in a dog's behavior, including:
- Fear of previously familiar people or objects
- Changes in the sleep-wake cycle, with restlessness or night wandering
- Increased barking and other vocalizations
- Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
- Forgetting previously known commands and signals
- Incontinence problems in the home
- Increased anxiety
- Confusion and disorientation
- Notable changes in activity level
Identifying these signs is essential to providing adequate care for dogs in old age.
What can you do for your dog?
The most important thing is to always consult your vet if you notice any of these physical or mental changes in your pet. The vet can identify underlying medical causes and prescribe treatments. They can also advise on future care for your dog, such as changes in diet and exercise, and adaptations to the home or daily routine.
Remember that canine longevity is built on a daily basis, with small habits that make all the difference, from longer walks in the park to socializing with other pets. Nutraceuticals, on the other hand, help combat the markers of ageing, restoring quality of life to your best friend in the most important years of his life.
