Signs of aging in dogs

Each dog, like every human, is different. That’s why they age differently. But there are some general signs of aging in your pet that you should know about. This is the focus of this article.

You may notice that your dog slows down with aging. This isn’t always the case but look for subtle changes in how it gets up, lies down and uses the stairs. Is there any hesitation or stiffness? Does a change in the weather (rainy or cold) make it worse?

Arthritis is common in dogs as they age, particularly large breeds. While it can occur in any joint, it commonly affects the legs and back (spine). There are many different medications available to help ease the discomfort of arthritis. See your veterinarian for this.

Another potential cause of slowing down is hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder common in dogs. This condition is easily diagnosed and treated with proper veterinary care.

One of my dogs went prematurely gray at two years of age but most dogs commonly show a bit of gray starting at middle age (five to six years).

Is your dog hard to wake up after sleeping or it startle easily if approached from behind? Hearing loss or deafness may be a reason for this. There isn’t a lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a vet exam should be done first to rule out other medical problems such as an infection, growth or foreign body in the ear.

As they age, dog’s eyes often show a bluish transparent “haze” in the pupil area. This is a normal effect of aging and the medical term for this is “lenticular sclerosis.” Vision doesn’t appear to be affected.

Mild loss of muscle mass, especially the hind legs, may be seen with old age. Some muscle atrophy, notably on the head and the belly muscles, can signify diseases such as masticatory myositis and Cushing’s disease. Be sure to have your vet check this out if any muscle loss is noted.

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