Caring for Senior Dogs

As our dogs age, there are some dietary and lifestyle modifications we should be making to help provide them with the extra support they need as they enter their senior years. Veterinarian, Dr Nicole Rous, provides her tips for caring for senior dogs.

Dietary changes

Not dissimilar to humans, gut function and organ function can deteriorate so it’s important when caring for senior dogs to modify their diet accordingly. They may also be on chronic medication that can create a type of ‘leaky gut’ so may be more prone to dietary sensitivities and upset tummies in general.

A lot of my oldies I will put on a good probiotic, prebiotic and digestive enzyme complex as part of their diet. Just supporting their ability to absorb nutrients can make a big difference.

Elderly pets often need more protein not less to help provide the building blocks for their body to function optimally. I like including a good range of proteins. Making sure we provide an optimal diet will minimise any leaky gut, pressure on liver and kidney function and therefore reduce the risk of triggering additional inflammation in their body which can impact everything, from their joints to their brain health.  That’s why I recommend feeding a Big Dog raw food diet.

Exercise

Our elderly pets are often living with arthritis but we want to keep them moving when caring for senior dogs. The best thing you can do for this is consistency. We don’t want to walk them for one hour on a Saturday morning and then nothing for the next 2-3 days. They’re much better getting a 15-minute walk daily. It’s also helpful for many elderly dogs to get a little stretch and massage before and after walks just like us.

Signs of discomfort & treatment

The biggest thing I teach owners is to note how their pets are in the morning or after a sleep and also after exercise. They absolutely don’t show pain and discomfort like humans so we can’t rely on that. Do they take time to warm up? Are they limping? Are they reluctant to get around. It’s not always as obvious as a limp.

We’re so lucky in the veterinary world now as we have so many vets with different skills that can help our elderly pets live their best lives. They benefit so much from massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy and treatments using osteopathic techniques.  It truly is amazing just how much we can do for their comfort. It’s a great way to bond with your pet and say thank you to them for all the love they’ve given you over the years.

Socialisation and mental stimulation

Cognitive dysfunction is incredibly common in dogs and is actually very similar to human Alzheimer’s Disease.

When caring for senior dogs, firstly, diet and supporting a good gut bacteria balance or biome is important. Lots of brain nourishing food and supplements also. My absolute favourite is mushrooms. They’re good for brain health but need to be cooked.

Something to chew on every day is good for dental health and mental health. Keeping our oldies chewing everyday is a really positive mental activity.

Also consider interactive toys and puzzles for feeding.  A puzzle feeder, snuffle mat, Kong or something like them will help them to use their brain, which is so fun for them.

Another simple socialisation trick is to take them on different walks. We like to call them sniffaris where they go and explore different neighbourhoods. It helps to keep their mind sharp and engaged. Also keep training with them and engaging with them. They still love to keep learning and you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Dental care

When it comes to caring for senior dogs, it absolutely breaks my heart how many elderly pets are walking around with poor dental health. For starters, the pain of the teeth, every day.

We know how uncomfortable it is for us. And then also the impact that the dental disease is having on the rest of their body. Their gut, liver, kidneys… everything is affected by dental disease. It makes things really challenging for them.

I absolutely understand pet parents apprehension getting dental done and putting their pets under general anaesthetic but we just can’t leave them living in daily pain. I’m really hopeful with the emphasis we have on dental prevention these days in another 10 – 15 years we won’t have our elderly pets really struggling with the poor oral hygiene they are these days. It’s really tough to see as a Vet.

Twice yearly Vet visits

It’s important that pet parents of elderly pets have a strong relationship with their vet so you can work together to ensure we’re doing our best for them.  Because dogs age much faster than humans, when caring for senior dogs it is recommended to visit the Vet every 6 months for a check up.

Some of the key things you should discuss with your Vet when caring for senior dogs include:

1. Weight loss – this is often one of the first signs of underlying issues. When we can tackle things early on, it is much easier to manage.
2. Diet and water intake. How is their urine and stools? Do they have a consistent appetite? Has their water intake changed? Any vomiting or diarrhoea. This gives us an idea if we need to tweak their diet or look for potential issues (dental, kidneys).
3. Check teeth and discuss dental disease prevention.
4. Discuss mental health and any signs of cognitive decline. There’s a questionnaire called DISHAA.
5. Discuss mobility – are they having trouble?
6. Any lumps or bumps of concern?
7. Full physical – heart, skin, joints, teeth, eyes and ears.
8. Discuss any blood work that may be required.

Dr. Nicole Rous is a holistic veterinarian and the founder of Shy Tiger, an Australian owned pet care company. With a passion for natural and holistic health practices, she operates Mont Albert Veterinary Surgery in Melbourne, providing modern, professional and affordable health care for pets. More at Shy Tiger and Mont Albert Vet.