Summary: When is a dog classed as senior? Explore all the facts and learn what signs to look for so you can take care of your dog’s unique needs as they get older.
How old is a senior dog? It’s a question you need to answer because older dogs require different levels of care than younger pups. They may be unable to go on as many walks when they’re older, their dietary requirements change, and you must understand how to give them the best life in their golden years.
With that in mind this guide will help you learn everything you need to know about older dogs and recognising when your dog is considered senior.
When Does Your Dog Become a Senior?
Unlike humans, dogs have a much broader range of ages that classify them as seniors. It varies based on a couple of main factors:
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Your dog’s breed
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How large your dog is
Naturally, breed and size go hand in hand, and PetMD has a wonderful breakdown that explains what age is considered a senior dog based on certain breeds. If you’re looking at the general range, on average, then a dog can be senior when it’s anywhere between 6 and 12 years old.
Here’s a more specific breakdown by breed/size:
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Large dog breeds (Great Danes, etc.) are senior at 6-7 years old. Giant breed dogs reach senior status much faster because their bodies age more rapidly.
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Medium-to-Large dog breeds (Boxers, Labs, etc.) are senior at 8-10 years old.
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Small dog breeds (chihuahua, dachshund, etc.) are senior at 10-12 years old. These smaller breeds often enjoy longer lifespans and can stay active well into their later years.
Going by this, the general rule is that smaller dogs last longer until they reach seniority. The reason behind this is quite simple: bigger dogs grow a lot faster than smaller ones and their bodies go through more drastic changes in their lifetime. This gives them a naturally shorter lifespan, so they reach their senior years sooner than their smaller counterparts.
Recognising Signs of Ageing in Dogs
You’re probably looking at the information above and realising that your dog is quickly approaching senior hood. It’s incredibly crucial that you spot the signs of ageing in your furry friend so you know when to start adjusting their care/routine - don’t worry, we’ve got an entire section telling you how to make adjustments later on.
For now, focus on looking for these obvious signs that your dog is getting a bit older:
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Weight Gain - older dogs often gain weight due to decreased activity resulting in muscle loss.
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A Lack Of Appetite - as they age and their activity levels decline and their metabolism slows down.
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Far Less Active - You spot this in bigger dogs who normally love going for walkies. All of a sudden they start lounging around more and don’t want to be as active. They’re slower when you take them for walks and you get a true feeling that they’re turning old.
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Fur & Eye Changes - You may notice your dog develops grey fur when they used to have a completely different set of colours. Their fur can also start shedding more often and it grows back slower, leaving patches or thinned out areas. If you look at your dog's eyes and notice they’ve become somewhat cloudy, then they may be developing nuclear sclerosis. This sounds worse than it is; your dog’s vision won’t be affected, but it almost looks like they have cataracts. It’s one of the most obvious visual signs of ageing.
How Age Impacts Dog Health and Mobility
Age plays a big role in dog health, much as it does in human health! Lots of the issues we experience when we get older manifest in dogs. Vets regularly deal with more health problems in senior dogs than younger ones - and some common health issues in older dogs include:
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Cancer
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Kidney disease
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Diabetes
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Heart disease
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Incontinence
Moreover, senior dogs are prone to arthritis, which has a huge impact on their mobility. Arthritis is the inflammation of joints, and this basically makes it harder for your dog to get around. They can develop a limp and will struggle to do things like climb stairs or jump up onto the sofa.
Adjusting Care for Your Senior Dog
Changing the way you care for a senior dog revolves around two main points:
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Keeping them healthy
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Keeping them pain-free
From a health perspective, you should book them in for regular vet check-ups just to be sure everything’s still okay. It’s also worth adjusting your home so it’s more accessible for your senior dog - install ramps in some places, give them a flatter bed so they don’t have to try and climb up, etc. This helps avoid extra stress on their joints, which will only make things worse if they have arthritis. It also aids with the pain-free aspect of things!
When it comes to their diet, you should still try to feed them as you normally would, but consider adding in a few beneficial supplements for ageing dogs - like collagen - to ensure they're getting proper nutrition. Collagen helps to support joints, ligaments and cartilage, which can aid pups with arthritis and delay/prevent joint problems. If your dog's joints still feel good in old age, then they’re actually more likely to remain active - which helps with their overall appetite. You should take our Happy Joints Quiz to learn what type of collagen formula works best for your dog. It’s a handy supplement to slip into their meals, particularly when you spot the signs of ageing.
So, what age is a senior dog? It truly depends on your dog’s size and breed - though any dog between the ages of 6 and 10 can be considered a senior. What’s more important is recognising the signs of ageing so you can quickly adapt your care routine and keep your best friend happy and healthy in their later years.