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Aging Dogs
By peace | October 17, 2007
Dogs are living longer. Aging changes are inevitable. A curious phenomenon of aging is that while females that have been neutered become more aggressive, neutered males get less aggressive as they grow older.
The rate at which a dog ages is under the control of a biological clock, which is set at conception in the animal’s genes. The clock mechanism is located at the hypothalamus — a part of the brain that controls the body’s hormonal system. As a dog ages, the brain produces ever smaller quantities of a chemical called dopamine, which is somehow involved in the aging process. If dopamine production is maintained, a dog lives longer. For unknown reasons, small breeds tend to be better at producing dopamine in their later years than are large breeds, and as a consequence usually live longer.
Normal Aging Changes
The natural changes that dogs go through as they grow older are similar to those experienced by people. By 16 years of age, about 20% of dogs pass urine or faeces in the house, with little or no warning, and for no medical or acquired behavioural reason. A quarter of all dogs of this age have altered sleep — wake cycles; they sleep more in the day but less at night, when they are more restless, but not because they need to eliminate.
A dog’s mobility is usually reduced in old age, and as a result it may appear less responsive to commands and may become more aggressive, choosing to threaten and bite rather than retreat. Over 70% of 16-year-old dogs become naturally disoriented, going to the wrong side of the door when asking to go out, getting stuck in corners, or simply staring into space. Some dogs develop a disease similar to human Alzheimer’s.
Natural aging changes include reduced appetite, but this is also a sign of illness; if your older dog’s appetite changes, consult your vet.
Mental Stimulation
Routine mental exercise helps to postpone the natural decline in brain power that comes with age. Give your dog regular mental stimulation through creative activities, such as rolling a toy that releases food. Maintain the dog’s physical dexterity by giving it work to do with its forepaws. Massages are also beneficial — they improve blood circulation to all parts of a dog’s body, including the brain.
Aging and Illness are Different
With aging, dogs invariably slow down. In the absence of mental stimulation, the elderly dog becomes dull and lethargic, and its appetite may change. Similar changes also occur when a dog is unwell — lassitude or depression is often how a dog’s body respond to the stress of disease or injury — so it is important to differentiate between natural aging changes and illness.
Here are some Ways To Delay Aging:
- Provide short frequent walks rather than one long one.
- Groom your old dog often; it helps circulation.
- Feed it with smaller, more frequent meals.
- Take your dog out after each meal, just before bedtime, and the first thing each morning.
- Change your dog’s diet according to its medical needs, and keep its weight within a normal range.
- Provide warmth and comfort for sleeping and resting.
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