Elderly dog club

[Random789]

Is there a long-running thread where people share tips, questions, etc. about living with an elderly dog?

Probably the biggest concern I have at the moment is this paradox: As my terrier (15.5 yo) becomes older and slower I find it harder, not easier, to give him enough exercise. When he was lithe and fast and vigorous we strode together across the countryside for hours and it worked well for both of us. These days, I think he would very happily be out for just as long as before but what he wants to do is stroll for a few yards then investigate a smell immensely throughly for minutes on end, then stroll another few yards ... .

Obviously I'm completely committed to spending time letting him do just that - it's part of his retirement package. But I get nothing out of it. Shuffling slowly about makes me feel really tense, whereas in the past our speedy hiking relaxed me and kept me fit. As a result I know I am short-changing him a bit. I think he should probably have three or more short-to-medium strolls a day to help keep his joints flexible and strong. But he gets one decent-ish walk and one tiny walk that is little more than a toileting opportunity.

I need to make myself do better, and I guess I'm looking for ways to make the walk more fun for both of us (especially me). And I need to find lots of little ways to keep him moving and stimulated at home, too.

Other items for consideration by Elderly Dog Club:

1. How do you minimise the steep cognitive decline associated with your dog becoming profoundly deaf? He seems to be falling into a slightly confused world of his own. And when should I stop letting him off the lead altogether for fear of him becoming confused and bolting off in the wrong direction? We've had a few 'senior moments' on walks when I've had to sprint after him cos he's darted off the wrong way.

1. Creeping incontinence. The poor soul does his best -- he's always been very fastidious. But he is having accidents now and so far I've not been able to teach him to use the puppy pads we put out for him at night.

@Random789, I think you made the right choice. We all second guess ourselves every time but, deep down, you wouldn’t have gone ahead if you didn’t know in your heart it was the right thing for your boy.

He was a very lucky boy to have had such a long, happy life with someone who loved and cared for him as much as you.

Take care of yourself.
Sending lots of love and light to you and your family.

Thank you very much for your kind thoughts Polly and Permanently. xx

Can anyone offer some advice on feeding an oldie please. Mine (age 15) has been picking at her usual food so I've been encouraging her to eat with softening/warming it, adding different things like scrambled egg, chicken, fish, which helps but she often just picks out these things and leaves the dog food mixed in. She still asks and enjoys her treats etc. I know she doesn't need so much with sleeping such a lot, but I'm not sure what's best to do so any wise words and suggestions will be very welcome! Thank you.

I got into that pattern with my dog, too, rockpipit. As the proportions of 'nice things' increased I began to worry that they were constituting such a big part of his meal that he was losing the guarantee of a balanced diet that you get when you simply feed them a quality dog food.

It soes sound like the additional bits and pieces that you are mixing in are very nourishing. And I think that if your dog has a lifetime of balanced nutrition behind her, it perhaps begins to become a little bit less important what she eats in old age, so long as she is well enough tempted to get enough food to keep her happy.

Right towards the very end it is quite lovely just to be able to give her the kind of treats that you would normally fret about -- because increasingly all that matters is making them happy.

I suppose it might be worth getting her teeth checked? I think it may partly have been bad teeth that meant my old dog increasingly rejected his kibble (even softened with water) in favour of old-man mushy things (though he managed chopped up steak well enough in his final days!)

Thank you @Random78 what you said is exactly what I was worried about. Your message has given me reassurance and that these things are just really quite normal, and also be happy at the enjoyment she obviously gets from the 'special foods'! She has had a good diet all her life, and been very fit too, until this last year.

@Rockpipit my sister has an elderly terrier , she’s either 18/19 and the crucial half . All she does is sleep , eat and potter about the garden , she has very few teeth left and my sister tried lots of different foods and for the last year she has been eating the royal canin mini puppy pouches , it’s the only thing she seems able to manage . Probably not that appropriate, and definitely not very good quality but she loves it .

Thanks for that @Floralnomad, and wow that's some age! I think my dog must know I've been talking about her as today both meal bowls were clean finished off! I will look for the puppy pouches so I've got plenty of things to try as needed. Thanks again.

I'm sorry for the loss of your old dog, OP, and apologies if this thread is now done, but I have a very similar problem with my old dog and am looking for advice.

I have a 14.5 year old cocker spaniel, who I have had since a puppy. She is profoundly deaf (and has been for quite a while) and has very little sight. The last time her eyes were checked, the vet told us she is completely blind. We believe that she can see a small amount, probably at a distance, but it does appear to be quite random and it is getting worse at the moment. Over the last few weeks, she has started to walk into things, sometimes with a real bang.

She also has dementia and many of the things that others have mentioned on this thread are familiar to me with my dog. I can't walk her off lead on my own now, as she suddenly panics, thinking she is lost, even when I am right next to her, and runs like the clappers in any direction. I can't catch her as she is very fast. She paces relentlessly in the house. Oddly this is a real problem immediately after we have returned from a walk and it is much worse when I am out of the house as she runs about the ground floor of the house looking for me.

She is also obsessed with food, when she hasn't been very interested in the past. There are times when she goes to check her bowl every few minutes, even when she has just been fed. She takes her food to other parts of the kitchen to eat, leaving a trail of debris everywhere.

She whines quite a lot, particularly after eating. She has been doing this for quite a while but when she has been checked over by the vet, nothing untoward has been found. She licks her paws quite a lot too.

I feel that her life must be miserable, but she appears to love her walks and she likes being with me, wherever I am. She follows me everywhere (I am working mostly at home at the moment) and, because she needs to be as close to me as possible, she is always under my feet and I have almost fallen over her on a number of occasions. I have also trodden on her paws, as she moves so quickly.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, she was soiling regularly in the house, sometimes several times a day. Oddly, that has completely stopped for a week or so for no reason that I can see .

My vet has told me that any time from now would be the right time to have her PTS. She has based this on the fact that she is bumping into things and that, as lock down ends, members of the family who have been around for her, will no longer be around so much. That does include me, and my previous arrangements with dog walkers are not going to work anymore. We have a bit of a reprieve, as one of my DC, who should be at university, is now going to remain at home until September.

But I'm really struggling with making the decision. Physically, other than her sight and hearing, she appears to be fit as a fiddle. She is slim and runs like a puppy.

And this is the horrible part. I have to accept that she is making our lives pretty miserable and dealing with her is increasing the stress that we have been under lately (for obvious reasons). I know that I have had enough (and my husband certainly has!) but that makes the decision much, much worse. She has been a very sweet dog and I know I shall miss her, but not as she is now.

I should be grateful for your thoughts. Please be kind as I am struggling with this as it is.

@MyPoorOldDog I recognise all the emotions you are writing about.

I have to accept that she is making our lives pretty miserable and dealing with her is increasing the stress that we have been under lately (for obvious reasons). I know that I have had enough (and my husband certainly has!) but that makes the decision much, much worse. She has been a very sweet dog and I know I shall miss her, but not as she is now.*

This paragraph stands out to me. The feelings you have are because it is also too much for her. She is not only making your life miserable her life is getting miserable too. She has pretty much had enough as well. Being the loving caring owner you are you have put up with a lot to help her and would continue to do so if that was what was right for her.

A very wise old animal trainer once said to me that when you are doing so much more to keep your old dog alive then this is the time to say goodbye.

Dogs are amazing and will often walk and eat their way right up to the end but that does not mean they are well or happy.

If you do decide that this is the time you will have made a hard but good decision for your dog. Your emotions of feeling like this are hard work and you are giving up on your dog are wrong . Your DH and the vet and you recognise this is the right decision for your dog.

I hope you do come to a decision you feel happy with.

It is a very hard time so do take care of yourself

(Sorry not great with words so hope this wasnt too lumpy and harsh to understand)

@MyPoorOldDog. From your description, it does sound very much like she’s in the more advanced stages of Canine Cognitive Decline. CCD alone is tough to live with, but being blind and deaf as well, must make it so much harder on both you and her. Your vet knows this and that’s why they’re saying any time from now, as all your love and care is keeping her alive, but she’s not really living.

I once read an article that said, think of all the things your dog loved to do in the past and then list how many of them they are still able and do enjoy now. Apparently, for most people that helps them see when having an enjoyable life has tipped the balance into just existing, which is not what any of us would want for our loved ones.

As for making the final decision, I really feel for you - I fear we won’t be far behind you with our boy. I would agree with what PollyRoulson said though. Honestly, it sounds like none of you, including your dog are happy and if you let her go, you would absolutely not be giving up on her, it would be the last act of love and kindness you could do for her.

Thank you both. I did read your responses earlier, but am feeling a bit...well, you know. You are both very kind, and I'm sorry you are going through this too PermanentlyDizzy. And you are great with words PollyRouson - they are helping me anyway.

The dog is most definitely mine and DH hasn't always been her greatest fan. But, in fact, he is struggling as to whether this is the right time too. I think he is thinking of me and how I will feel about it afterwards.

@MyPoorOldDog it's always hard. I knew it was the right time for our old dog, but DH was really unsure.
This:
I once read an article that said, think of all the things your dog loved to do in the past and then list how many of them they are still able and do enjoy now. Apparently, for most people that helps them see when having an enjoyable life has tipped the balance into just existing, which is not what any of us would want for our loved ones.
Was really helpful for us.

Old dog was also soiling in the house, including in her bed, having previously been very clean & picky. And part of that helped- I knew it was causing her distress.

You love your dog, so you will be making the right decision when the time is right for all of you.

Thank you poshme. I can’t make the decision yet, but I feel it isn’t too far away. Perhaps some of us can never be sure.

My dog recently started high pitched barking in the night, and sometimes during the day. I'm hoping for some shared experiences on how others manage and help their dogs when they do this. When it happens in the night, I leave her a short while to see if she stops, but then I go to her as I feel she must be distressed and she stops. Thank you.

@Rockpipit Canine cognitive decline can make dogs bark and pace in the night.

Also pain can wake them up so I would mention this to the vet to see if they can offer any help.

Personally I would go down to them if they are barking (as an oldie) I always see it as a time that they are uncomfortable. Our old boy had a real sundowning time which luckily exhausted him for the night but he had major "barky marlaky" sessions in the evening. Better timing for us but still quite upsetting to watch. We tended to side track and comfort which did help.

Sorry it's taken me a while to thank you for your reply @PollyRoulson