Having a pet is, in many respects, something of a bittersweet experience. They provide you with plenty of joy and love, but there is also the knowledge in the background that you will certainly outlive them, and that gives their whole experience a subtly ironic note. One thing that is useful to practice as a pet owner is imagining what is going to happen as they age. That will help you to prepare for such changes in a way which will mean you can care for them more, while also ensuring that you know what is coming. Let’s look in particular at what will happen to an aging dog.
6 Changes You’ll See in an Aging Dog
1- Loss Of Senses
In many respects, what happens to an aging dog is much the same as what happens to you or me. For one thing, your dog is bound to start losing their sense of sight, and their sense of hearing, as they age. This might happen gradually or suddenly, but it will happen either way. You will need to start accommodating for such losses by how you interact with your dog.
2 – Weight Change
Along with that, your dog will also likely undergo some weight change as they get older. This is most commonly the gaining of weight, although it can be a loss as well, and in either case, you might find that diet change doesn’t do all that much. In one respect, it’s just something to get ready for.
3 – Skin Tags
You might have noticed this on older humans, but maybe you haven’t spotted it on dogs before. However, it does happen: an aging dog is likely to develop a number of skin tags all over their body. Skin tags on dogs are not a huge problem and are generally benign. But should you want to remove them, then you will find that there are many ways you can do this at home, or by visiting your vet.
4 – Toilet Trouble
Older dogs are also more likely to have trouble going to the toilet, which might cause you all sorts of problems around the home, and will be particularly distressing for the dog itself. Beyond helping them to be more comfortable with it, there might not be all that much you can do. Hopefully, at least, they won’t be in too much pain.
5 – Greying Hair
Some changes are not troublesome at all, of course, but merely a normal sign of aging. One example is greying hair, which happens in dogs just as reliable as it happens in human beings. You might find that your dog looks considerably more distinguished this way.
6 – Less Energy
Of course, an older dog is also going to be much less keen to run around and play. You need to accommodate such a change in them so that you are not trying to force them to be more active than they can be. That will help you both with the transition into old age.
The Bottom Line: Lots of Changes, But Still Lots of Love
Become aware of all of these changes, and you should be able to deal with the experience of having an aging dog much more easily. One thing that will remain constant with your older dog–the enormous love in his or her heart. For despite the graying muzzle and slower responses, your furry friend will not cease being your biggest fan.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
This blog celebrates all things home.
