Small dogs are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.
Most dogs enter their senior years at around 7 years old, a little sooner for larger dog breeds. They begin to slow down, they may gain weight more easily, their senses start to dull. An older dog's behavior will give you plenty of hints as to what he needs, but sometimes it helps to put it in words.
As your dog grows older, they'll experience many changes, from greying hair to loss of mobility, vision and hearing changes, and more susceptibility to medical issues. While some changes may be more noticeable than others, it's important to be aware of everything you can expect from your aging pup.
The average adult dog benefits from at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, which can be broken up into two or three walks. Harper, now 10 1/2 , still enjoys a 2-mile walk or several short walks daily. It's good for her health and mine, and best of all, it makes both of us happy.
As with elderly people, there can be huge differences in the aging process among individual dogs. But a good benchmark is that a 7- to 9-year-old dog, depending on size and individual variation, is roughly equivalent to a 45- to 75-year-old person.
Most dogs' sleep patterns usually begin to change between five and seven years old. As dogs get older, their energy level starts to decrease. They need more sleep to recharge and be at their best during the day. For this reason, it is normal for a senior dog to sleep up to 20 hours a day.
The Senior Stage
It is important to cherish each stage as a dog's golden years will begin roughly between the ages of 7 and 10. Their muzzle will tend to become grey and they will slow down, preferring a quiet stroll to an energetic run. More sleep is needed and joint or dental problems are common.
Even if your dog is considered senior, you'll still want to give them at least 30 minutes of daily exercise.
Don't stop walking. Your dog might not be able to go on longer walks anymore but they still need the opportunity to get outdoors every day to sniff, stretch their legs and get some fresh air. Make sure you keep to a fairly short route in case your dog gets tired.
Age is just a number, but distance isn't.
Your older dog may begin to struggle with longer walks. The key is to make your walks shorter, but more frequent. That way, your four-legged friend is still getting regular exercise, but you aren't tiring them out all in one go.
Though dogs have a keen sense of time—their routine, and the schedule of their humans—office, school etc., they dont think of their own aging. Yet, they can tell a baby being vulnerable or know if an elderly is infirm.
As your pet gets older, or if they're diagnosed with a serious illness, you may worry that they're suffering and have more bad days than good. It can be easy to tell if your pet has a really good quality of life – they're still playful, active, comfortable and enjoying their food normally.
Regular baths are very important for your dog's health and hygiene. Bathtime can make your dogs feel better. Baths remove dirt and unpleasant odors from your dog's skin and fur.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
Just when you may feel like you have hit your stride, the next big “difficult period” shows up! Many owners are totally blindsided by this next phase. It can vary a bit based on each dog, but your puppy likely will hit “adolescence” around 7-10 months, with 8-9 months being the peak described by most owners.
In any case, it is OK to skip the long daily walk every once in a while. On days without walks we just need to make sure that: The dog gets enough toileting opportunities (in the garden or in the form of short outings just outside your building). Adjust the frequency of these trips to your dog's age and health status.
Many frustrated pet parents observe their pet's ability to remember to go outside deteriorating as they get older, but it's typically not disobedience on the part of the dog. Senior dogs typically need a bathroom break every 4-6 hours.
Daily exercise is just as important for senior dogs as it is for prime-time adults. In fact, keeping your senior moving can be critical in maintaining quality of life as they move through their golden years.
Swimming, leash walks, and gentle games of fetch are all wonderful ways to maintain fitness. But there are also many strength and flexibility moves—canine calisthenics—that can be performed in the comfort of your home.
Dog Stairs
Climbing stairs is the perfect way to build up your leg muscles. Place your dog on a leash and walk up and down your stairs. Be sure to mix it up and throw in some high steps and side steps to work various muscle groups.
Adult dogs love to go for walks. It's the perfect way to help them get the exercise they need. In general, walks that are 20-30 minutes long are perfect for most dogs. If your dog falls into the high exercise needs category, try to do a few walks per day along with some more rigorous activities.
A general rule of thumb is that dogs should get between 30 minutes and 2 hours of exercise every day. Larger breed dogs, like retrievers, collies, and shepherds will need the most exercise; while smaller and toy breed dogs, like terriers and Maltese, don't require as much daily physical activity.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not age at a rate of 7 human years for each year in dog years.”
Less Tolerance and More Irritability
Your dog may act like a grumpy old fart at times, becoming irritated a lot easier than before.