How old is a senior dog?
Your Senior Dog: What to Expect at 10-12 Years
At this point in your dog’s life, you most likely have noticed signs of his getting older. By 10, even the bounciest Terrier usually begins to show his advancing age. Evidence of decline may be subtle in smaller dogs, but if you’re observant, it’s there. Obvious aging indications are often more noticeable in larger dogs. Depending on the breed and size of the dog, 10 to 12 years is considered late middle age and the beginning of the elderly years.
Physical and Mental Development
A 10- to 12-year-old dog, depending on his size and individual variation, is roughly the equivalent of a 60- to 90-year-old person.
By now, you’ve likely realized that your dog is slowing down. He may still enjoy a long walk, but he is not quite as zippy as he used to be. You might even notice that he sleeps more or takes a bit longer to rouse or respond to commands. Regular veterinary visits can help determine whether those changes are normal aging or signs of illness.
Though your dog is no longer a young dog, he still needs a good dose of activity to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Play a game of hide-and-seek with a treat to help keep him on his paws.
Behavioral Changes
At this point in your dog’s life, it’s important to watch for behavioral changes. Some are normal with age, but others may indicate health issues. For example, a dog who no longer likes to jump around or climb the stairs may have pain or stiffness in his joints. Mild-mannered dogs who start to show aggression may be signaling that they don’t feel well or are even developing dementia. The causes of this type of symptom can be treated or medically managed. Therefore, it is important to note changes in your dog’s behavior or preferences and communicate them to your veterinarian.
Pay attention to how your dog behaves around children. At this age, he may become less tolerant of young children, reacting negatively to sudden squeals or unpredictable movements. He may also begin to exhibit distress when you leave or be disturbed by loud noises such as firecrackers or thunderstorms. On the other hand, he may become less responsive to such stimuli because he is losing his hearing or vision. Sensory loss, however, means that he may startle easily and even react with aggression.
If you have other dogs in the household, watch for a shift in dominance. As a dog ages, his place in the hierarchy can change, resulting in conflict. That shift may be evident when the dogs compete for your attention, greet visitors or guard their food or toys. It is a good time to reinforce your position as the alpha dog. Your aging dog may have difficulty adjusting to the arrival of a new puppy. He could find a young whippersnapper’s high energy and playful attacks irritating and react aggressively.
Watch for signs of dementia in your dog. He may start to forget commands or other trained behavior he grasped when younger. A forgetful dog may seem to wander, even in familiar territory. Or he may have more accidents in the house. (Accidents also can be a sign of a health problem.)
Don’t dismiss behavioral changes as simply part of getting older. They may be signs of medical complications. You and your dog’s quality of life may be improved by seeking veterinary advice and treatment for changes in your dog’s health or behavior.
Health and Nutrition
If you haven’t done so already, you may need to modify your dog’s feeding regimen. As dogs age, they can develop a number of conditions, such as diabetes and kidney or liver problems, that respond favorably to dietary adjustments. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a diet tailored to your dog’s health needs.
Expect a wider variety of tests at routine veterinary visits. Endocrine problems, such as Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism, are common in older dogs. These conditions are manageable and should be diagnosed early. Your veterinarian can keep your dog in the best health possible, but only if she is able to do a thorough examination and follow up on complaints or findings.
Often older dogs require comprehensive dental cleaning and care. Many owners will decline this important treatment over concerns about anesthesia. Your veterinarian will want to do preanesthetic bloodwork and possibly other diagnostics to assess the anesthetic risk. Frequently, the benefits of teeth cleaning far outweigh the risks of anesthesia. Severe dental problems can lead to serious complications that may not be easy to treat.
The Importance of Dog Health Insurance
Dog health insurance can help you pay for unexpected health expenses, surgeries, or medications. It’s important to purchase insurance before there’s a problem. While pet insurance may add to your monthly expenses, it can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the long run.
Don’t ever let financial decisions get in the way of your dog’s care. Review personalized options for your pet below:
Training Tips
If your dog does not respond to your commands, don’t automatically assume he is being willful or disobedient. If he is becoming hard of hearing, you may just need to speak a little more loudly or start using hand signals.
At this stage in your dog’s life, don’t try to teach him any new tricks. You should spend time doing the activities that make you both happy.
When is a Dog Considered a Senior?
When is a dog considered a senior? Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby offers insight on when you can confidently welcome your dog into the prestigious “silver senior dog” club. Plus, get highlights on some common health issues you might encounter on the journey through your dog’s golden years.
When I’m in an exam room with a client and their senior dog, I love to hear stories—from their first day home together to the purpose of their visit that day. Inevitably, I’m reminded that the bond between a loyal dog parent and his or her grey-muzzled companion is unconditional, unbreakable, and always one-of-a-kind.
It’s true—your dog is a pal and a confidant, and your heart’s desire is to see your dog thrive in every season of life. You’ve made that happen so far, and the golden years needn’t be different. But how do you know when you’re entering your dog’s senior years? What changes can you expect as your dog ages? How do you care for a senior dog? These are common questions devoted dog parents ask, and I can’t wait to share some answers with you.
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
- Why the “one human year to seven dog years” rule of thumb to estimate your dog’s age is outdated
- The latest research from scientists on how to accurately determine your dog’s age
- Which health-related issues to watch for during your dog’s senior years
Is 1 human year 7 years for a dog?
First, to assess your senior dog’s age, we must use the latest research. When I was growing up, people thought one year of a dog’s life equaled seven years in a human’s life. It was simple arithmetic dog owners calculated at every doggie birthday.
Today, we know this “one dog year = seven human years” is inaccurate. For one reason, most dogs reach maturity by the time they are one year of age. That would be the equivalent of a human reaching maturity at seven years of age. Using this outdated formula simply doesn’t work to calculate your dog’s age.
At what age are dogs considered seniors?
The truth is there is no clear and simple way to determine an age at which all dogs would be considered seniors. Dog breed and size certainly play an important role.
Rather than using the “1 dog year = 7 human years” rule of thumb, let’s look at the latest findings. There are two studies that shed light on a fairer way to calculate your dog’s age.
Two studies on calculating your dog’s age
In a 2007 study from Texas A&M University, researchers looked at the effects of height and weight on the life expectancy of dogs. They found that shorter and lighter dogs lived longer than taller and heavier dogs. This suggests that small breed dogs age more slowly than large and giant breed dogs. Based on these findings, as a general rule:
- Large-breed dogs are considered seniors after age six or seven
- Medium-breed dogs are generally considered seniors after age seven to nine
- Small dogs aren’t considered seniors until after age ten or eleven
More recently, the University of California, San Diego published a study in November 2019. The study looked at Labrador Retrievers and how their aging compares to that of humans. By looking at epigenetics, or the way that the environment caused certain genes to be expressed or suppressed, researchers were able to develop a new formula for calculating a dog’s age.
The study determined puppyhood goes by as quickly as childhood in humans, but then aging slows down as a dog matures. The authors admit the study isn’t perfect since it only looked at Labrador Retrievers to the exclusion of all other breeds. But it is a great start. More research is necessary.
Curious what this formula says about your dog’s age? Check out the formula for calculating a dog’s age in Smithsonian magazine.
With the new formula in mind, know that it’s entirely possible for your dog’s early senior years to look very similar to his or her adult years.
However, just like in humans, age increases your dog’s risk for various health issues. Next, let’s look at common health conditions to watch for as your dog navigates the senior years.
7 health issues when your dog is considered a senior
Below I’ve outlined seven of the most common conditions I see in my senior canine patients. Log this information in the back of your mind for the months ahead as you care for your senior dog. Having an awareness of these health concerns may help you and your veterinarian diagnose and treat them earlier.
1. Arthritis in dogs
Osteoarthritis in dogs is a progressive, irreversible degeneration of the cartilage and bone within a joint. As your dog ages, cartilage and other soft tissues that cushion the joints become less elastic and flexible. This is especially true for large dogs. Because of this, your dog may experience joint pain due to inflammation.
Your vet may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication to help relieve arthritis pain in dogs. Also, joint supplements for dogs are a great way to proactively protect your dog’s joint health.
Further, it is extremely important to work with your vet to ensure your dog maintains a healthy weight. Dogs who are a healthy weight avoid extra strain on the joints. If you’re curious about your dog’s body health, you can learn how to find your dog’s canine body condition score.
2. Kidney disease in dogs
Your dog’s kidneys filter toxins and waste products out of the blood. Over time, the filters (called nephrons) don’t work as well as they used to. When damaged nephrons begin to shut down, the active nephrons become overworked, and the body can’t eliminate waste products efficiently.
Older dogs who develop this form of kidney disease have what we call chronic kidney disease. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease include increased thirst, urination, weight loss, vomiting, and a lack of appetite. For more information on what to do if your dog is turning up her nose at dinnertime, please read, Why is My Old Dog Not Eating?
3. Lumps and bumps
Tumors, skin tags, lipomas in dogs, and other growths can happen at any age. But senior dogs are at increased risk. While most skin growths are benign, some are malignant and can potentially spread to other parts of the body. Make sure to check your dog regularly for new lumps or bumps, and bring them to the attention of your veterinarian right away. In fact, a weekly 5-minute tip-to-tail dog wellness scan may just save your dog’s life!
4. Canine cognitive dysfunction
One of the most common signs of aging in dogs is behavior changes. Senior dogs who seem more anxious, disoriented, or have changes in their sleep-wake cycles may have a disorder known as canine cognitive dysfunction or CCD. If your dog has CCD, you may notice that she has accidents in the house or paces, often in the evening or at night.
While there is no cure for CCD, there are some things you can do to help manage this condition. For more information on CCD, please read my article: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs.
5. Dental disease
Dogs develop dental disease just like people. Without proper dental care, senior dogs can develop significant oral infections that contribute to mouth pain, bone loss, tooth root abscesses, and even heart disease.
At-home dental care like dog toothbrushing and choosing safe chew toys for your dog can make a big difference in his or her oral health. To help prevent dental disease in dogs, establish routine vet dental check-ups at least yearly.
6. Heart disease
Older dogs may be more susceptible to developing heart disease. They can develop disorders of the heart valves that cause the leaking of blood around the valves when the heart contracts.
Symptoms of heart disease include coughing, weakness, and exercise intolerance. In addition, your vet may be able to detect early heart disease during a routine exam as he or she listens to the heart. Early detection is vital because senior dogs with clinical signs may need blood pressure medications.
7. Endocrine diseases (weight gain)
Diabetes, hypothyroidism in dogs, and Cushing’s disease in dogs are all examples of endocrine disorders. These conditions can not only cause dogs to gain weight, but also to exhibit increased thirst, urination, and appetite. Middle-aged and senior dogs have a higher risk for developing these health problems.
Routine diagnostics like blood work and urine testing can help screen for these disorders. As a proactive pet parent, there are many tips for improving your dog’s lab tests that you can do. They will help provide your vet with the best samples to interpret.
When is a dog considered a senior?
Bottom line: There is no one factor that dictates when your dog is considered a senior. However, by using the latest research to calculate your dog’s age and by keeping a close eye on your sweet old dog’s “normal,” you can be a knowledgeable guide during these years.
Finally, remember to take your senior dog in for twice-yearly physical exams at your local animal hospital since your dog may be at a higher risk of developing health problems. I’ve seen it firsthand and experienced it myself—early intervention has the biggest impact on your older pup’s quality of life.
Do you have a senior dog in your life?
Please let us know how you care for your senior dog. We can all learn from each other.
