February 11, 2025

Caring for an Elderly Dog in Their Final Years

This is a difficult subject. Much as we would love our dogs to live forever, there is the invertible truth that they will not be with us forever. Particularly large breed dogs, such as Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Saint Bernards, who have shorter life expectancies than smaller breeds, usually only living 8-10 years. As our dogs enter their senior years, their health and mobility can decline rapidly. Caring for a senior dog presents some unique challenges for owners. With knowledge of their needs and proactive care, you can make your dogs final years happy and comfortable. Caring for an elderly dog information follows!

Monitoring Health

As dogs age, health issues like arthritis, cancer, and heart disease become increasingly common. Take your senior dog to the vet for wellness exams and bloodwork at least every 6 months. This allows early detection and treatment of any problems. You may need to adjust your dog’s diet, medication, or supplements to accommodate changing health status. Watch for signs of pain, difficulty breathing, changes in appetite or bathroom habits, limping, or lumps/bumps on their body and report any concerns to your vet promptly. Keeping detailed records helps vets monitor changes over time.

Supporting Mobility

Arthritis is common in elderly dogs, particularly in elderly large breed dogs due to their size and weight stressing joints over a lifetime. Make sure your floors have non-slip surfaces and paths are clear of clutter to prevent falls. Help your dog up/down stairs and in/out of cars. Try glucosamine supplements to support joint health. Custom orthotic braces can improve mobility and pain. Providing a memory foam bed gives relief to sore joints. Limit walks to flat terrain that your dog can handle comfortably. Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise when possible. Work with your vet to control arthritis pain safely.

Maintaining Weight

Excess weight stresses joints and internal organs in senior dogs. But lower activity levels can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Adjust your dog’s diet to balance nutrition with fewer calories. Reduce treats and stick to scheduled feedings. Increase fiber to promote fullness. Adding fish oil, joint supplements, or probiotics can benefit health without packing on pounds. Weigh your pup regularly to catch any creeping weight gain early. Extra weight can seriously impact quality of life, so keeping your old dog trim is key.

Adapting Care Routines

An aging body needs different care. Groomed short, hair is easier for you and your dog to manage. Schedule more frequent bathing as older dogs may have toilet accidents or difficulty grooming themselves. Brush their teeth and clean their ears weekly to prevent infections. Check their eyes and paws for issues. Regular nail trims are essential when activity declines. Provide non-slip surfaces indoors to prevent falls on floors. Doggy stairs or ramps make furniture/car access easier on joints. Adjusting routines will maximize your older dog’s comfort and dignity.

Saying Farewell

Despite our best efforts, age-related decline will eventually result in our dog passing. This is something which I am dreading. Our decision of when it is time is completely personal, with professional advice from a vet, as we know our dogs best. The right time is said to be when a dog’s quality of life declines to the point that their bad days outnumber the good. When it’s time to say farewell to your pup, an option is letting them pass in the comfort of their home and family with an at-home euthanasia service.

older dog — Image by Renato Laky from Pixabay

Saying goodbye is incredibly painful, so focus on making the most of the time you have left. Take photos and videos to remember happy times. Adjust your schedule to spend more time together making your dog feel loved. Take comfort in knowing that you gave them your all. Although their departure leaves an unfillable hole in your heart, take pride in guiding them gently over the rainbow bridge.