18 Signs of Aging In Dogs

Aging is a natural process in a dog's life. While watching your dog get older is not a typically pleasant experience for a dog owner, every parent will have to eventually come to terms with the idea that their pets will need more care and attention in the days forward.
On the contrary, signs of aging can be easy to miss. Also, as there's no fixed age for a dog to be called old, recognizing early signs of aging should be the primary concern for parents with adult dogs.
Here, we identify 18 common signs of aging in dogs that every parent should recognize.
1. Gray Hair
Aging doesn't just affect a dog's health, it can also take a toll on its coat. As dogs get older, their body will naturally reduce melanin production to divert the energy towards other vital systems.
Normally, the hair around the dog's muzzle is the first to turn gray. If the dog is over five years old, the growing of gray or white hair is simply a sign of aging. However, old age isn't the only cause of gray hair in dogs.
Vitiligo, a skin condition, can also turn the hair gray around the affected region. The condition is likely to be caused by genetics, frequently affecting breeds like Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, and German Shepherds.
2. Reduced Activity
As dogs enter the later years of their lives, they tend to be less physically active and, instead, enjoy more naps or rests. While younger dogs enjoy more play time and prefer to indulge in physical activities like running or hiking, older dogs enjoy getting involved in less demanding tasks.
With age, a dog undergoes multiple changes in their bodies, including weakened muscles, slower metabolism, and resistance to pain. Older dogs get easily tired after a short playtime, or may not show willingness to play game that requires physical movement.
Despite reduced activity, senior dogs will still need regular exercise, although the workout is significantly less intense. A short walk twice a day should be enough to meet their exercise requirements.
3. Joint Stiffness
Also referred to as arthritis, joint stiffness is not limited to aging dogs, although it is more likely to be affected by the canine's age. On average, one in every five dogs develops joint issues when they get older.
Canine arthritis can be recognized by analyzing common signs and symptoms of the condition. This joint issue particularly affects the dog's movement, causing difficulty in standing up, going up stairs, or jumping.
Although joint issues that come with age are not curable, they can still be managed with medications and a change in diet. Similarly, weight management can also contribute to alleviate the severity of these conditions.
4. Weight Change
There is no fixed rule about weight change in older dogs; while most dogs experience weight loss, a few may gain weight as a direct result of aging.
Some canines can become heavier during the early stages of aging, likely to be between 6 to 8 years for larger breeds and 8 to 10 years for smaller ones. However, in the long run, almost all dogs will lose weight, as older dogs experience poor absorption of food and reduced appetite.
A dog may lose weight, even if he is still eating like a healthy dog. This is likely to be caused by poor nutrient absorption, causing most of the food to be directly excreted.
5. Bad Breath
Although bad breath is fairly common in aging dogs, the issue should never be dismissed as a normal process of getting old. Normally, bad breath in senior dogs is caused by medications or dietary supplements.
However, if the smell is not related to food or medication, it could imply an underlying dental disease or oral disorder. What makes bad breath synonymous with aging dogs is the fact that over 80% of older dogs suffer from some form of dental issue.
Dental or oral issues, even those that affect older dogs, can be easily treated by following a few measures. Healthy oral hygiene like regular brushing or the use of a vet-recommended toothpaste can handle the issue without much challenges.
6. Vision Decline
Watching their dogs go blind is not a pleasant sight for any dog owner. However, pet parents should be willing to accept the fact that vision loss is not a particularly unique sign of aging. You may start noticing your pet bumping into random things in the earlier stages of vision loss; this will swiftly transition to the dog facing difficulty even in basic tasks like going down the stairs.
Cataracts are one of the most well-known conditions that can develop with age. The disorder blurs the vision, by whitening sensitive areas in the eye lens. Similarly, glaucoma is another eye condition that affects around 1.7% of all adult dogs.
7. Poor Hearing
Hearing loss in senior dogs occurs gradually; as the hair cells located in the dog's inner ear get damaged, the canine will slowly lose its hearing power until one day it's completely deaf.
What most dog owners fail to understand is that the dog's hearing loss doesn't happen suddenly; it can take months, or even years, for canines to naturally lose their hearing ability, as they grow old.
If you suspect your pet is going through a similar phase, make sure to test it before coming to any conclusion. A senior dog with reduced hearing might fail to understand basic commands like sit, and come, or may appear to ignore the commands said by their owners.
8. Difficulty In Peeing Or Pooping
Older dogs face a series of digestive issues that can make it harder for them to urinate or defecate. Obstipation, a condition characterized by the worsening of constipation, occurs when the dog's colon gets fully jammed, disrupting the flow of excrement.
Similarly, another condition that has a high diagnosis rate in older dogs is incontinence. A disorder where the victim leaks urine involuntarily, continence can affect dogs of all ages, even though it's more frequent in older dogs.
At the same time, continence also has a higher victim rate of females than males. With age, a female dog might lose control over her bladder, causing her to leak urine.
9. Skin Issues
The causes of skin issues are, more or less, the same in young and old dogs. But, due to their reduced immunity, older dogs will have a harder time dealing with and recovering from certain skin issues.
Skin problems in dogs are likely to be a result of a flea or tick infestation. Issues like itching, redness of the skin, and hair loss become more noticeable as the dogs go through every new year. Meanwhile, some canines will also develop tumors or lumps on their skin.
In most cases, any skin disorder should be handled by a professional; using home-based remedies without a vet's approval can only worsen the condition.
10. Sleep Pattern Changes
On average, an adult dog will need anywhere from 8 to 13.5 hours of sleep every day. The sleeping requirement significantly increases in pups and older dogs, with seniors requiring around 12-18 hours of sleep.
In many cases, owners report that their pets are sleeping more during the day, with a significant reduction in nighttime sleep. This change in sleep pattern is further boosted by the lack of exercise or an inactive lifestyle.
The dog's sleep routine can be improved by providing plenty of physical activities during the day. As the dogs get tired, they will have less difficulty falling asleep at night.
11. Loss Of Muscle Mass
Muscle mass, as the name suggests, is simply the sum of all muscles in a dog's body. This often differs according to the breed, lifestyle, and age of the dog. Age-related muscle mass, also referred to as sarcopenia, causes a dog to lose vital muscles in the skeletal system.
Loss of muscle mass doesn't just affect a dog's weight, it can also reduce physical strength and agility. On average, between the ages of seven to 12 years, a domesticated canine will likely lose 15-20% of its total muscle mass.
Although this process is irreversible, measures can be taken to manage and maintain a dog's muscle mass. Methods like daily exercise, pain management, and dietary supplements are directly linked to better management of muscle mass loss in aging dogs.
12. Reduced Immunity
Immunity in dogs is directly linked to the production of T lymphocytes, a white blood cell type that helps the body fight against cancer and infections. A lymphoid organ called the thymus produces the necessary T cell whenever the dog goes through an illness or injury.
Once dogs achieve puberty (6-12 months), the thymus will begin to start the slowing down of the lymphocyte production. By the time the dog is considered old, the thymus might not be functional at all, leading to a compromised immunity system.
Loss of immunity significantly amplifies the risks of infections or illnesses, even causing the dog's death in some cases. However, with a healthy diet, medical care, and exercise, dogs can reduced immunity can still live a long and fulfilled life.
13. Cognitive Decline
Does your dog look visibly confused all the time or face difficulty in finishing even the menial tasks? Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome often develops as the dog enters its older days and has symptoms similar to Alzheimer's or dementia.
Cognitive decline occurs in every one in three dogs who are at least 11 years old. By the time they are 16 years old, almost all dogs show signs of this mental decline. The condition usually starts with the dog looking disoriented or confused, and can eventually affect the dog's lifestyle completely.
14. Slow Wound Healing
It's no secret that younger dogs heal any wound faster than their older counterparts. Although a weakened immunity is often considered the culprit for the slow recovery, a dog's healing abilities are also affected by its bodily metabolism and bone density.
For a senior dog, injuries to bones or soft tissues can be particularly detrimental, as these organs will take significantly longer to heal than other parts. Additionally, old age doesn't solely affect their healing abilities; it can also take longer for an older dog to recover from anesthesia, with some even dying under its effect.
15. Temperature Sensitivity
Older dogs are easily affected by slight changes in their environment's temperature. For instance, senior canines are more likely to suffer from heat exhaustion on a sunny day; this is usually a result of their decreased ability to regulate core body temperatures. Normally, heat exhaustion can occur when the dog's body temperature reaches 105°F or more.
Similarly, colder temperatures can also affect a senior dog's well-being. Studies have found that older dogs tend to feel a lot more cold than their younger companions.
16. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is, basically, a hormonal condition that develops when a dog's thyroid gland is not able to produce sufficient hormone required for the body's metabolism. While this condition is known to affect dogs between the ages of 4 to 10 years old, it's more common in senior dogs.
Also sometimes called lethargy, hypothyroidism is characterized by constant tiredness and the lack of willingness to engage in physical activities. Fatigue is a frequent symptom of hypothyroidism in older dogs. You might have noticed becoming tired after a single play session, whereas they could play for hours during their younger days.
17. Reduced Appetite
If your older dog is losing its willingness to eat, it may be because the pet doesn't require the same amount of energy that it needed just a few years ago. Similarly, due to a slower metabolism, aging dogs digest food more slowly, making them feel full for a significant amount of time.
While occasional skipping of meals is nothing to be worried about, not eating for more than a day should warrant immediate concern. Try a change in diet or mix some of their favorite treats with regular food to make it more appealing to the dog. However, if your pet still refuses to eat, take them to a vet without delay.
18. Increased Vocalization
Dogs often use vocal measures, like barking or growling, to communicate with their owners and other dogs. Normally, an older canine's vocalizations are a call of plea to their owners, implying that the dog is struggling to maintain its fitness.
In most cases, a dog barking or crying at its owner is trying to say that he is in pain and needs human assistance. Similarly, the dog may also bark excessively if it's losing the ability to hear.
Excessive vocalizations in canines should not be ignored by the owner as a routine issue, as these age-related problems will only grow more drastic.
Recent posts
Dogs
100+ Dog Names That Start With B With Meanings
Finding the perfect name for your furry companion could be a delightful challenge. Everybody seeks a name that's catchy and suits their dog's personality. However, you don't need to worry, since the letter B offers endless options. There is certainly...
All We Know About Dogs In White House
Dogs have been a significant part of the US First Family, often symbolizing a loyal companion to the President and watchful protector of his family. Even George Washington - the first US President and one of the most influential political leaders of ...
13 Signs Of A Happy Dog
Understanding the signs of a happy dog is necessary for pet masters to ensure that their pup is leading a happy and content life. Dogs communicate their emotions through physical cues and behavior, often expressing their happiness in easy ways. Recog...
How To Introduce Baby To Dog: A Step By Step Guide
Adding a new baby to your home is exciting, but it can also be a big change for your dog. A dog's natural curiosity involves a patient, prepared, and considerate introduction to a newborn baby. A smooth transition is important for the safety of your ...
Dog Weight Chart: Average Weights Of Popular Dog Breeds
A dog's weight often determines the living conditions and care required for its prolonged physical and mental growth. While smaller dogs are easily adaptable to urban lifestyles, heavier dogs like English Mastiffs and Great Danes need a spacious envi...
15 Ways To Introduce Dogs To Each other
Getting two dogs to get to know each other in general can be tricky, especially when one of them acts up or gets aggressive, or bringing in another dog and getting to know them better sets the tone for their relationship is indeed difficult. So this ...