I Adopted a Senior Dog... Now What?

Congratulations on adopting a senior dog into your family! Adopting a senior dog can be just as exciting and fulfilling as bringing home a puppy; sometimes even more meaningful. The first days to next few weeks are going to be filled with getting to know the dog’s personality, habits, likes, and dislikes. So, how do you navigate these times? Here is a short summary of important things to do and remember when bringing home a senior dog.

What is a senior dog?

A senior dog is normally a dog that is 7 years or older. That may not seem like a long time but the chart below shows how that equates to human years.

The following is a chart provided by AVMA¹

Dog Years	Dog Size	Human Years
7	Small – Medium	44 - 77
	Large – Very Large	50 - 56
10	Small – Medium	56 – 60
	Large – Very Large	66 - 78
15	Small – Medium	76 – 83
	Large – Very Large	93 - 115
20	Small – Medium	96 – 105
	Large	120

Observe

Once you get your new pet home and acclimated to its surroundings, take it slow and don’t overdo it. Some dogs may be less adaptable and may not handle the stress of the company so soon. Take this time to observe them in their new environment.

Here are some things to try and notice:

• How are they eating and chewing?
• Check out their teeth/gums
• Is there bad breath, tartar, loose or missing teeth?
• How are they getting around?
• Any limp, holding up a limb or toe touching?
• Any reluctance to get up or go up or down stairs?
• Any lumps or bumps?
• Notice any change in size or color?
• What is their energy level?
• What are their urination and defecation habits like? (i.e., frequency, stool quality/loose stool, or difficulty posturing to urinate/defecate)
• Over the first week or two, you will have a good idea of what is normal for your new pet. It’s now time to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Schedule a veterinary appointment

It is imperative that you work with your pet’s veterinarian to keep them aging well and ensure that they live a long and healthy life, with you and your family. It is best to have any pet examined by a veterinarian yearly, but senior pets should be examined more often (every 6 months). Being proactive with a 6-month examination can help ensure the early detection of many disease processes. Once you are at the veterinary office, a veterinarian will likely listen to you your pet’s heart and lungs and perform a physical and orthopedic examination. Make sure you share any concerns or observations from home with them. Your input will be greatly appreciated. Their examination can detect conditions that are more likely in older animals, signs of arthritis, periodontal disease, heart disease, and a variety of other conditions. Your veterinarian may recommend laboratory work that can detect early kidney, liver, and/or other metabolic diseases; and will become baseline blood work to monitor against as your pet ages. Using information gained from the physical examination and blood work, your veterinarian may make a feeding recommendation and discuss an estimated ideal daily caloric intake for your pet.

Speaking of food

There is a number of senior pet diets on the market, and they are all a little different. Some cater to an aging pet that may need more protein and calories to help them maintain body weight, others cater to an aging pet that is more prone to gain weight due to low activity and so they provide a lower calorie density. Some are formulated to help improve cognition in those prone to cognitive dysfunction. They almost all have a focus on antioxidants and supplements that may help to decrease joint inflammation. It’s important to remember that all pets are different and feeding your senior pet is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Sometimes, a bit of trial and error is needed. Sometimes a “senior food” is not needed at all. If needed, your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist can help you gain an understanding of the nutritional goals for your pet and aid in finding a good fit.

Love

You have spent the last few weeks getting to know the daily habits of your new family member, giving them the medical attention, they need and picking the right nutrition. It’s now time to start your lifelong bond by loving them for the rest of their senior years. Congratulations and thank you for adopting a senior dog and giving them a second chance at happiness.

¹https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/senior-pet-care-faq

 

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About the Author

Melissa Edwards has been a veterinary technician for over 21 years. She formerly served as a Clinical Nutrition Analyst for BSM Partners.