What To Expect As A Dog Ages

Anyone who gets a puppy that intends to love and cherish it throughout its life will have to accept the fact it will eventually get older. This is likely to come sooner than most dog owners would like to think about. Dogs simply don’t live as long as humans. With this in mind, it’s reasonable to expect their aging process moves a whole lot more quickly, too.

The general rule of thumb is that dogs typically have a lifespan that falls in at less than 20 years. Smaller breeds tend to live a bit longer than larger breeds. The typical range for a small dog involves an upper reach of nearly 20 years. The very large breeds don’t tend to live longer than 10 years. There are exceptions to the rules, however. Some dogs have been known to live upward of three decades.

While the expected life span of different breeds tends to vary, there are some similarities dog owners can expect of the aging process. It’s impossible to say in advance which symptoms will arise in a particular dog, but some of the more common signs include:

Visible signs

The visible signs of aging in a dog tend to range from animal to animal. Common occurrences include such things as changes in a dog’s coloring, such as a whitening around the face and snout, deterioration of the teeth, a tendency to become heavier. Obesity, in fact, is a common problem among older dogs. Owners can help pets avoid or overcome some of the issues that can go along with aging by adjusting diet and exercise routines. The more active an older dog remains – within reason – the better.

Physical symptoms

Older dogs are prone to more health issues than younger dogs. The signs of aging might include such things as digestive problems, arthritis, loss of hearing and loss of sight. Owners should pay special attention for signs of changes in the senses. They are often mistaken for behavioral problems. Older dogs very likely are not trying to be disobedient or irritable, they simply might not be able to hear or see a command.
Older dogs might require as much patience as puppies are noted for requiring. They still want their owner’s love, affection and approval, but it might simply be harder for them to do as their owner asks.

Behavioral changes

Older dogs still live to please, but the reality is there can be some changes in their behaviors. A willingness to exercise will likely decrease, especially if obesity is a problem. Older dogs might also be less willing to play, have lowered patience levels and will quite often sleep more than they once did. It’s also possible that dogs that were once excellent with younger children might not have the patience they did in the past.

As dogs age their owners should expect subtle changes at first. Some adjustments might need to be made in their routines to accommodate health and behavior issues that might arise. With a little tender, loving care, older dogs can remain cherished members of the family.