Old age creeps up on us and on our dogs too. Conditions that often come with old age – heart problems, arthritis, diabetes, and a reduction in the effectiveness of key organs like the liver and kidneys – develop slowly and may only become obvious once they are quite well advanced.

So how do we reduce the impact of aging and give our dogs a longer active life?

  • A good diet is an obvious starting point. Being overweight puts strain on a dog’s heart and joints. Keep the weight off and you will help slow the onset of arthritis and heart disease.
  • A blood test annually to check on kidney and liver function is a good investment limiting visits to the vet in the long term. Don’t accept the signs of aging as inevitable. Cataracts may be an indication of diabetes so get their eyes checked.
  • Stiffness after a walk, difficulty standing after being asleep, hesitation before getting into the back or out of the car, and when tackling stairs are all indications that there is pain associated with these actions. Limping is an extreme version of this, not the first sign. You can avoid exacerbating these conditions and slow their onset through a few easy actions.
  • In colder weather, use a coat, especially on fine furred dogs. Help them into the back of the car – a hand under the bottom to aid the jump, lift them in, use a towel as a sling, or use a ramp. Don’t expect your middle aged dog to be an athlete!
  • Make your dog more comfortable in the car to reduce the tiring effects of the motion. Reduce the size of space by using a dog crate/blocking off part of the boot or a soft bed that has surrounding sides that cradles them.
  • Reduce the length of walks, but increase frequency to help keep joints mobile and reduce the chance of inflammation developing during the walk. If your dog does not want to walk, don’t make it. If they would prefer to potter about sniffing then that is fine. However, some exercise must be maintained to promote good bowel and bladder function. Work out what exercise they do enjoy and stick with that.
  • Panting can be a sign of heart condition (in all ages of dogs), and not a lack of fitness, as can restlessness and coughing, along with a longer recovery time after walks.
  • Swimming is excellent cardiovascular exercise that avoids the percussive loading of joints associated with running. However, avoid activity that results in a bouncing action through shallows as this is a loaded exercise that puts more strain on joints. In the winter, keep them swimming by using a warm hydrotherapy pool. Arrange for a massage and/or learn massage techniques yourself to help ease tension that builds up through compensating for discomfort. If you have concerns about the skeletal health of your dog, ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary physiotherapist.
  • Floors such as wood, tiles, etc are challenging for dogs that are unsteady on their feet. Consider putting runners down on key routes so your dog can move about with confidence.
  • Beds should be big enough for your dog to lie in any position. A dog that is a bit wobbly on their legs can be nervous of a soft bed as they don’t feel secure, so find something firmer. Place the bed (without a bolster edge) in a quiet, draft free location away from the bustle of the house.
  • Probably most important of all, give them time with you alone on a regular basis away from the pressure and hassle of the younger members of the family – human and four legged. You owe it to them for all they have brought to you during their younger years and will continue to do in their wonderful smelly, slobbery, wobbly way, just a bit more slowly than they used to.

Dru Ross