Dear Critter Corner: I have a 10-year-old dog who’s slowing down. As a puppy and a younger dog, he loved hiking, jumping, and running on the beach. Now, he seems to prefer taking easier walks and snoozing on the couch. What can I do to make sure he stays healthy?
Well done for noticing the changes in your maturing dog’s behavior. Paying close attention and asking questions when their behavior changes are essential to ensuring your dog’s needs are being met at all phases of his life.
As a first step, it’s important to have your vet examine your senior friend. A change in behavior can indicate that your dog is experiencing a medical issue. Even if there isn’t an unusual or acute issue, many senior dogs – like many senior humans – experience arthritis or other joint stiffness that can slow them down a bit. Your vet may suggest medications or, in some cases, dietary changes or supplements to help specific issues.
Once you’ve addressed any medical issues, you can think about the best activities to make sure his older years are as happy as the younger ones. Staying active, even at lower levels than in their youth, can help a senior dog maintain physical and mental well-being.
If your dog is no longer up for a hike in the mountains, you can still take them for neighborhood walks. Just as walking is one of the best exercises for senior humans, a stroll around town can help your gray-furred friend stay active. Remember that, for a dog, a walk isn’t just about physical exercise. Walking – and sniffing along the way – also give a dog opportunities to explore and engage with their surroundings.
Another way to combine physical and mental stimulation is to use games and puzzles. In addition to some excellent dog puzzles that are commercially available, you can create a game simply by hiding treats around the house and teaching your “old dog” the “new trick” of finding them. A good treasure hunt exercises both legs and minds.
Remember to enjoy this new phase of your relationship. If your furry friend now prefers couch time to fetch time, take a break and snuggle with them. It will benefit you both and create warm memories to last both of your lifetimes.
Barb Izzo is a Behavior Training Specialist for the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Behavior Department. For more information, please visit www.phs-spca.org, call 650-340-7022 x314 or email behavior@phs-spca.org.