Some dogs age faster than others. This all depends on the size and breed of your dog. Typically, larger breeds of dogs age faster (around 7 years), while smaller dogs age slower. Whether your dog is big or small, they will eventually age and may start showing signs of old-age. It is a good idea to know what to look for when this time rolls around, so that you can take the best care of your beloved pet.

No one knows your dog more than you, so if you notice a few different changes in your dog, especially if they are older, this can mean that he is showing age-related symptoms. The quicker you identify these symptoms, the more promptly you can address them and cater to your pet’s needs.

Your Aging Dog May Not Be Ignoring You

You may notice that your dog does not come to you when you call him like he used to do. Last week everything seemed okay, but now your dog isn’t even looking in your direction when you say his name. Sadly, this is one of the many signs of aging in older dogs. Hearing loss may start to progress slowly, eventually leading to hearing loss in dogs.

What to Do For Hearing Loss in Aging Dogs

If you notice that your dog is not hearing you like he used to in the past, after making sure that there is no fixable issues, this is the time to start teaching your dog sign language. Hand signal training can help you to continue communicating with your older pet more easily.

Vision Loss in Older Dogs

Hearing and sight goes together, so as your dog gets older, you may also notice that he is not seeing as clearly as before. Your dog may develop cataracts or other types of vision loss. One way to tell if your pet is not seeing clearly, is if they are bumping into things frequently or when you are feeding them, they don’t seem to see the feeding bowl that’s right in front of them.

Older Dogs and Memory Loss

Just as humans, dogs can also experience foggy memory or memory loss as they get older. For example, if your dog is trained to follow commands such as stay or fetch or other house rules, then suddenly he doesn’t respond to these commands, he may be experiencing memory loss.

Older Dogs Forgetting Potty Training Rules

You may also notice that although your dog is potty trained, he is frequently having accidents. Incontinence in dogs as they get older is also a common symptom. It is best to check with your vet to get an evaluation and treatment if necessary. Early intervention can prevent further issues or detect urinary tract infections.

Keeping Your Senior Age Dog Warm 

Senior dogs may need more warmth as they progress in age. Keeping them warm is not only comfy but also helps to alleviate arthritis pain. Make sure that you give your dog a warm cozy bed to help regulate his body temperature.

Heating pads are also great to help keep your aging dog warm, especially in the cold winter months. Get one that has an auto shut off feature that you can set for a certain amount of time. A good pet heating pad also has a temperature sensor to prevent overheating.

You are your dog’s keeper and he depends on you to be there for him in his golden years. Aging dogs can be just as fun as younger dogs. You just have to know how to adjust to accommodate the little hiccups that comes with aging.