relaxing to be around. They also need less exercise leaving more time for yourself. • When rehoming an older dog what you see is what you get. His personality has already been shaped, so there should be no surprises in Looking After the future. • Pop along to your nearest Dogs Trust Your Older Dog Rehoming Centre and meet all our lovely dogs that are waiting for a new home. • If you would like to sponsor our Oakfield Oldies who are living at our old dogs home please visit Rehoming an older dog from Dogs Trust www.dogstrust.org.uk • Older dogs often find themselves looking for a new home in their twilight years and are sometimes overlooked. This is a great shame If you are interested in rehoming as dogs make lovely companions at a dog, supporting Dogs Trust any age! or for more information and • You may think that older dogs are more likely to have been diagnosed factsheets about all aspects with health problems and worry about of dog ownership, please the cost implications of rehoming visit www.dogstrust.org.uk an older dog. In some circumstances or contact: we may offer financial support for identified conditions, so don’t let this Dogs Trust put you off! 17 Wakley Street • You can teach an old dog new London tricks! Older dogs still enjoy mental EC1V 7RQ stimulation and training as long as it is not too physically strenuous. Tel: 020 7837 0006 They tend to have better manners, Reg. Charity Numbers: 227523 come housetrained and are not as and SC037843 destructive as a puppy.
Dogs over the age of 7 are considered • Your dog may not want to go on long • If your dog hasn’t been neutered by some to be old, but this depends hikes as he gets older but it is still already, there may still be benefits a lot on the breed. The ‘average’ life important to exercise him enough so in doing so at an older age. Seek expectancy of a dog is 13 years, however that he stays fit. His daily walks will veterinary advice on this. smaller breeds tend to live longer than give him mental stimulation and keep • Your dog’s coat may change in larger breeds. his joints mobile. condition. Daily grooming will be • He may show signs joint stiffness in the good for his coat and is a great Old age brings many changes; some morning or after strenuous exercise so opportunity for you to check him over sudden, others gradual, and you will ensure he has a comfy bed to sleep on. for any new lumps or bumps that may need to be on the lookout for those that • You may want to provide ramps to indicate a problem. signal problems and be prepared to make help them navigate stairs or a car to • Twice yearly veterinary check-ups are allowances for those little inconveniences ease the difficulties they may face. essential for an ageing dog. that come with caring for an elderly dog. By preparing for their later years, we Health Behaviour can all enhance the quality of life that • Older dogs may struggle with their • To help your dog remain mentally they deserve. sight and hearing. active try to provide new and • Your dog’s eyes may appear cloudy, interesting aspects into his routine. Feeding which could mean that he has old age Make plenty of time for games and • As they become less active, older dogs changes or cataracts. Seek veterinary interaction with him. can be prone to putting on weight. advice on this. • Older dogs may start to exhibit Switching to a complete senior diet • Most dogs adjust to failing sight, since symptoms of senility including that may be lower in protein or fat it is usually a gradual process. Try to compulsive behaviours. Seek advice will help keep extra weight off. avoid moving the furniture in your from your vet at the first sign of • Feeding smaller meals 2 or 3 times a house and leaving objects in his way. behavioural changes. day can be good but watch out for Keep him on the lead during exercise, • Your dog may begin to bark more those in-between meal snacks especially near roads. often; this may be because something or scraps. • Your dog may lose the ability to is troubling him, or because he is • If your dog suffers from neck or back hear certain sounds. He may for going deaf. Seek veterinary advice pain raising the food and water bowl example be able to hear a whistle, on this. will reduce discomfort. but not his owner’s voice. Be • As dogs get older they can become creative in developing new forms of less tolerant. It is important to respect Exercise communication with your dog. your dog’s space. • Older dogs can become less energetic • You will need to pay particular and sleep more. On walks let your dog attention to the condition of his teeth set the pace. Try to go for frequent and the length of his nails. His nails short walks instead of one long one. will be less worn as his walks get shorter.