Signs of Aging in Dogs

Dogs have a shorter life expectancy than humans, which is why it's impossible not to watch them age if you've had them since puppyhood. This shouldn't make us sad, since the most important thing we should value is their quality of life.

A dog starting to age, or already being a senior, doesn't mean their quality of life is worse — it simply means we need to adapt to new habits. Let's go over the main signs of aging in dogs and how we should interpret them.

When does a dog start aging?

Strange as it may sound, dogs' life expectancy generally depends on their size. Small breed dogs have an average life expectancy of around fifteen years, while large breed dogs have a life expectancy of around ten or twelve years.

Our dog's life expectancy depends on many factors (genetic or environmental), although as a general rule, the better their quality of life has been, the more years they'll be able to live.

The same happens with humans, since life expectancy has increased a lot in recent decades thanks to improved living conditions, so it's now not unusual to find people in countries like Spain living almost 100 years.

Dogs go through the same life stages as humans, meaning:

• Puppies: under one year old
• Young: one to four years old
• Adults: four to seven / eight years old
• Seniors: eight years old and up

So it's normal for a dog to start aging around seven, eight, or nine years old, depending on genetic factors like breed and their quality of life.

Symptoms a dog shows as they age

Although every individual is different, there's a set of signs common to all dogs that will tell us our dog is getting older. It's important to understand that aging is completely normal, and we should accept it and adapt to our pet's new needs.

• Gray hairs appearing and coat color changes

This is very common in dogs that are starting to age. Small clusters of gray hairs may form localized white patches, or gray hairs may spread throughout the coat. This is natural and shouldn't worry us, though if you notice their coat losing shine, you can add a bit of Omega oils to their diet (like salmon oil) to help it recover within a few weeks.

• Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite is common in adult and senior dogs — if your dog eats three times a day, you can try feeding them only twice (morning and night). You can also try changing their diet until you find one they like better.

Remember that when you go to the vet, you should take the chance to check their mouth, and in any case, do so periodically (usually once a year) or whenever you notice a sign that makes you suspect this problem.

With age, periodontitis or gingivitis often appear, especially if dental hygiene hasn't been adequate, so it's important to pay attention to this and brush our dog's teeth from puppyhood.

• Reduced playfulness and energy on walks

Senior dogs generally have less desire to play than puppies and young dogs — this is completely normal and shouldn't worry us. Some breeds are more playful than others, though this depends on the individual.

Every dog has their own personality, and just like people, some dogs are more sociable than others. That's why some dogs only play as puppies, while others play their whole lives.

On the other hand, our dog will probably tire more easily on walks, so we'll need to adapt to their condition. Never force your dog to walk, and much less to do intense exercise — just let them set the pace themselves.

• Arthritis and other joint problems

With age, joint cartilage gradually deteriorates, so arthritis and other joint problems can appear. This is common with age, but we shouldn't stop seeing the vet if we notice it becoming a serious problem that significantly affects our pet's quality of life. Joint-support supplements can help our pet relieve joint pain and maintain a good quality of life.

• Fecal or urinary incontinence

Loss of control over their bodily functions generally only happens in some cases, especially when the dog is very old. There are special diapers we can use, or we can adapt regular baby diapers, so we should simply look for solutions and be understanding and patient with our pet.

Remember that other problems, like a urinary tract infection, can also cause incontinence. That's why we insist on the importance of seeing a vet who can examine our pet and help determine the cause.

• Eye color change

This is also completely natural — as they age, their eye color gradually loses intensity, looking somewhat grayish, although as with previous cases, we should see a vet to confirm it isn't glaucoma or cataracts. In that case, we'll need to see an ophthalmology specialist for medical or surgical treatment.

What should I do if my dog is getting older?

Just like humans, dogs also age, so you should see this as something completely natural and accept it. As we mentioned earlier, the priority in a dog's life isn't how many years they live, but their quality of life.

Senior dogs have special needs, which we can summarize as:

1. A quality diet, suited to their age and size, for senior dogs. If they have dental problems, you can make a puree with kibble and a bit of water, or with natural food. Make sure they have clean, fresh water available at all times.
2. Adjusted walks and exercise, letting the dog set the frequency and intensity themselves. Remember to give them a comfortable bed in a warm spot at home to rest.
3. Regular vet checkups, simply as "maintenance." Senior dogs are weaker and at higher risk of catching or developing certain illnesses, so we should keep their vaccines and checkups up to date.
4. Ensuring they get the attention and affection they need. This will help maintain their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Remember, regardless of their age, enjoy your pet every single day, just as they enjoy you every one of theirs.