The bodily functions of elderly dogs all decline

As dogs grow older, their various functions gradually begin to degenerate, but the changes in appearance during middle and old age are not very obvious, so many owners find it hard to determine if their dog has entered the senior stage. Because the feeding requirements differ at different ages, it is important for owners to correctly identify if their dog has entered old age and promptly adjust feeding methods to ensure the dog’s health.

1. Vision: The first sign when dogs enter old age is a decline in vision. The eyes of elderly dogs appear somewhat cloudy, possibly a sign of cataracts. Vision loss is not the main handicap for dogs since they rely more on their sense of smell.

2. Hearing: With the passage of time, dogs’ hearing also deteriorates. For example, when the owner calls from a distance, the dog reacts slowly or seems not to hear, unlike before when it would immediately come over. Deafness is particularly severe in dogs over 10 years old, affecting about 1 in 10 dogs, and from age 14, the likelihood increases to 1 in 6.

3. Mental abnormalities: Currently, mental abnormalities in elderly dogs have become a new challenge for veterinarians and dog owners. As dogs’ lifespans extend, these mental diseases become more common. One common mental disorder is "geriatric separation anxiety," where dogs suddenly wake up at midnight, start barking and panting, showing clear signs of distress.

4. Tumors: When dogs develop tumors, routine surgical removal can be life-threatening due to excessive bleeding or infection. Nowadays, cryosurgery is used by applying liquid nitrogen with a special needle to the tumor, isolating it from surrounding healthy tissue without the need for a scalpel.

Kidney failure is one of the common problems in senior dogs and requires careful attention

5. Kidney failure: This is one of the main causes of death in elderly dogs. Dogs’ kidneys have an astonishing overload capacity, meaning that even if kidney lesions occur, normal physiological functions can be maintained until damaged sections account for more than 2/3 of the entire kidney. The most obvious sign of kidney failure is a significant increase in water intake and a corresponding increase in urine volume. Owners should closely monitor their senior dog’s water intake to detect kidney failure early. However, water intake is influenced by environmental temperature and food types; for example, eating dry kibble in hot weather may sharply increase water consumption. Also, dogs often drink from muddy ponds and puddles during walks, so judging kidney failure solely by water intake is incorrect—you need to consider multiple factors comprehensively.

Increased urination due to kidney disease can lead to loss of some nutrients required by the body, such as B vitamins, causing deficiencies. Additionally, calcium absorption is also affected.

Another obvious sign of kidney failure in elderly dogs is bad breath, although dental disease can also cause this symptom.

6. Dental disease: Dental disease can affect dogs of all ages but is more common in older dogs. If plaque accumulates on the teeth, gums may become inflamed, and the attachment of the teeth weakens. Because the gums are corroded, bacteria can easily invade the tooth roots, causing gum abscesses, severe toothache, and affecting feeding.

The likelihood of problems increases significantly as dogs enter old age. Therefore, whether in diet, care, or health management, owners need to invest more attention to ensure a longer life for their dog.