Sadly, our furry friends don’t stay young forever. It happens slowly…they move a little slower, forget familiar commands, or seem a bit distant. These 10 quiet changes might mean your dog needs a little extra care and comfort right now.
10. Poor Grooming
Dogs are naturally clean animals, so when they start neglecting grooming habits, it could be a sign that there’s something wrong. Mobility issues might make it painful to twist and reach certain areas to lick or scratch. If your dog is experiencing pain in the mouth, they may also avoid licking, grooming, or chewing. Take note that dental disease is very common in senior dogs.
9. Increased Irritability
Aging dogs often experience joint stiffness, dental pain, and digestive issues, all of which could make them less patient and tolerant of noise or activity around them. So if your sweet dog suddenly turned grumpy, them may be in pain or experiencing some other physical discomfort.
8. Forgetting Commands
Forgetting commands is a sign of aging in dogs and it often points to Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS). This is a condition that’s similar to dementia in humans and could make dogs forget familiar commands, struggle with routines, and get confused in familiar places. Sometimes, they might not actually forget the commands, but they might just struggle to react to it quickly.
7. Weight Changes
Changes in your dog’s weight could be hard to notice, especially when they happen slowly over the months. It’s worth noting, though, that both weight loss and weight gain can signal problems in senior dogs, but the former is more concerning. Weight loss could be linked to reduced muscle mass (common in aging dogs) or reduced appetite due to digestive illness.
6. Worsening Bad Breath
Yes, dogs aren’t known for minty-fresh breath, but you shouldn’t ignore any change in their mouth odor either. If your dog seems to suddenly have an awful breath, it could be linked to tooth decay, gum disease, or an oral infection. Poor dental health could lead to serious health issues, especially among senior dogs who have weaker immune systems.
5. Sound Sensitivity
Does your dog suddenly jump at sounds that never bothered them before? Don’t just dismiss this as nervousness. Increased sensitivity to sounds is also a common (and overlooked) sign of aging in dogs. Partial hearing loss can make dogs more sensitive to sounds, and this may cause them to overreact to noises.
4. Social Withdrawal
Cognitive decline, which causes disorientation, anxiety, and confusion, can also make senior dogs more withdrawn and less interested in engaging with family or routines they used to enjoy. When this happens, respect their need for space and show your support by creating calm, cozy areas they can retreat to.
3. Bathroom Accidents
House-trained dogs don’t often forget their manners overnight, so small bathroom accidents can point to bigger health issues. Bathroom accidents can also be a sign of aging because they usually reflect cognitive changes or medical issues that affect your dog’s control and ability to follow a routine. Common health problems that cause bathroom accidents include kidney disease and urinary tract infection.
2. Nighttime Restlessness
Remember CCDS? In older dogs, this could disrupt the internal clock and lead to confusion or pacing during the night. Age-related issues like joint pain and increased urination can also make it hard for senior dogs to sleep through the night. When this happens, take it as a signal to keep pre-bedtime activities low-energy and make your dog’s sleeping environment more comfortable.
1. Cloudy Eyes
While cloudy eyes are a visible clue that your dog’s eyes and body are aging, they’re still easy to overlook because they happen so gradually. Some cloudiness is normal in senior dogs but it can also indicate dry eye, cataracts, or other treatable conditions. Even if the cloudiness looks minor, it’s best to check with your vet to determine whether it’s harmless or not.