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Caring for a Senior Dog

An old english sheep dog sitting on its owners lap.Over the years, we have been blessed with many dogs that have achieved old age. As they did, their vision was often compromised because of cataracts or macular degeneration. When outside during daylight hours, we often observed them following the fence to guide themselves around the perimeter of the yard. However at night, the same task seemed more difficult for them and they often became confused.

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We decided to place solar garden lights as markers to help guide them out to their potty area and back in again. Single solar lights followed the outline of the fence to the area they frequented to do their business. We then placed double lights (side-by-side in sets of two) to mark the path that would return them back to the house to come in. They quickly found their way at night by following the lighted paths!

The solar garden lights helped relieve their anxiety about navigating the fenced yard at night. The lights are found at most stores that sell garden equipment and push easily into the ground on a stake. They sure made a difference for our older sight impaired dogs!

By Judy Van Bourgondien from Eastern Shore of MD

 
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February 21, 2008

I am about to inherit my late mother's elderly (15 year old) Old English Sheepdog. Does anybody have any good advice?

Myrtle from Manchester, UK

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February 21, 20080 found this helpful

I love OES, can't believe yours is 15 ! Wow !! Mom must have taken really good care of her.

Contact her vet and ask if she's due for any tests, vax, etc. Ask for a referral to a groomer (you'll want to keep her in a comfortable teddy bear clip)

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Ask the vet if your OES should be on glucosamine-chrondroitin supplements for bones and joints.

You might experience a "funky" transition period the first week. Here is a good webpage to refer to:

www.hawaiidogfoundation.org/.../about_rehoming.htm


Treasure the days you'll have this dog, Old English Sheepdogs are truly special.

 
By Elaine (Guest Post)
August 19, 20080 found this helpful

I endorse your other comment response - 15 is a great age for a truly wonderful breed. I have just had to have my faithful companion of 14 and a half years put to sleep and it was heartbreaking. Tips - well, make sure she's warm and be patient, helping her if necessary. My old girl loved old slippers and would hang on to a tatty piece of slipper for months.

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Never miss an opportunity to cuddle her and understand, as they are fiercely loyal, she will be missing your mum as much as you are - but she can't talk about it. Enjoy this remarkable breed.

 
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January 25, 2010

I am looking for tips for caring for a 17 year old dog?

By KIMBERLY from San Cemente, CA

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January 28, 2011

I have an elderly cat and dog that love warm spots to snuggle in. I had a couple of recycled stuffed bears that my grandchildren had outgrown.

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I sewed a couple of bags filled with rice that would fit through the zippered opening.

 
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May 23, 2011

If you have smooth floor surfaces in your home and an aging dog, please consider whether they would appreciate carpet runners to create safe pathways for them to get from place to place.

 
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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts
January 5, 2012

Aging dogs need some special considerations to keep them happy and comfortable. These are just a few tips that I have found helped improve the quality of life for my aging pets.

A small aging dog in a basket.

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January 7, 2015

I have had my dog for 13 years and he started having fits around 6 months ago. He has had two this week, my vet thinks he has a lesion on his brain and has forgotten all the behavouirs he has learnt. He is weeing and pooing in the house all the time now no mater how long I let him out for he still does it in the house it's massive amounts as well. He is sleeping lots and is moaning all the time. I feel so sorry for him, but when do you say enough is enough?

By Jo Val

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March 13, 2015

Yorkie in dog bedMy 17 yr old Yorkie has started scratching her bed every time she goes in it and whining whilst scratching. She has torn 2 beds by doing this and has never done it before. She has been doing it about 2 months now. She has also started pooing a lot, about 8 bits a day. Her backbone seems to be more protruding and she has flaky skin, but otherwise is happy, eating and drinking normally, and on the same food.

By Michelle

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April 1, 2015

elderly DachshundI have a 21 year old Dachshund that I've had since she was 6 weeks old. She has lost most of her teeth, but still gets around really good. She stopped eating dog food a few months ago and so I started feeding her healthy people food. The last few days she refuses to eat anything, but she will lick the food. I took her to the vet, the vet says she will eat when she gets hungry, but that is not happening! Does anyone know of a good liquid diet, because she will drink, she just won't chew. She's down to 4 pounds and I'm very worried. I feel helpless? :(

By Kristi M

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October 6, 2015

We have a Jack Russell Terrier who is 15. He has become increasingly temperamental. For several years he has not liked to be touched and recently he tried to bite my husband when he tried to put him on a leash. Consequently, we have not been able to walk him. He goes out into the front yard, which is fine.

However, it is becoming very distressing because we cannot touch him at all anymore. At this point, I do not believe training would help. We simply want to be able to make the rest of his life as comfortable as possible. We would appreciate any advice.

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April 28, 2016

I live with my mother and her 16 year old Maltese, Kasha. In my opinion (and my sister's) Kasha is in a bad place and my mom is in denial. Kasha whimpers when she drinks and eats; she suffers from anxiety and cries, whines, and whimpers incessantly whenever my mother leaves the house, or even when Mom is home but upstairs while Kasha is downstairs. She cannot or will not climb stairs any longer, another issue I believe.

Last, and not least, she refuses to go outside to pee or poop and therefore does both inside, including peeing on my mother's bed, next to where Mom sleeps. Kasha was never truly house trained, but she used to go outside most of the time, but now it is nearly an everyday occurrence to have her urinate and/or defecate in some room inside the house.

There is also the fact that her eyes get "crusted over" and she may or may not see 100 per cent. Given all of the above I honestly feel she does not have a good life and perhaps it is her time to go to "her better place". When I say this to Mom, however, she claims it is because the dog annoys me and I just want to be rid of her. This is not true! While I think most people would be somewhat "annoyed" if forced to live with dog pee and poop as well as with a dog who can literally whine for 10 hours or more straight, my nerves are not the reason. I believe it might be time to say goodbye, rather, my heart aches for her suffering and I sincerely believe it is cruel for her to continue the way she is. I have had to 'put down' three beloved pets (a dog and two cats) in the space of one year due to illness and age in all three and I know the pain and feelings of loss, and that it is not easy. I feel for Mom and Kasha. Any thoughts on this situation? Thanks.

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November 26, 2017

I have a 10 year old Cocker Spaniel. She hasn't had a solid bowel movement in a week. I would like to make sure that she is receiving the correct diet.

Can any one help me with what is the appropriate food she should receive?

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
November 26, 20170 found this helpful
Best Answer

Make sure the dog is getting a diet that is higher in fiber and lower in calories than the diet he ate when he was younger

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 128 Feedbacks
November 29, 20170 found this helpful
Best Answer

Try adding mashed cooked pumpkin in the dogs food & maybe a little finely chopped seedless apple. The apple can be given at anytime.

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Finely chopped SEEDLESS watermelon may help as well. These fruits are good for your dog at anytime.

 
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March 30, 2018

As a dog gets older you will undoubtedly find that their diet may need to change. This is a page about feeding an elderly dog. Tooth loss and other medical issues make softer foods, such as canned pet food, or homemade meals a great option.

Elderly basset hound eating from a dish of food

July 31, 2018

My Bichon is 14 years old and recently had a bladder infection. We have been to vets and after antibiotics we went back and the vet said her urine is perfect and they said she is so healthy for her age. Now my dog has to wear diapers at night and she is drinking a lot more water. Is it because of age and her bladder has become weaker? I hate to call the vet again. The bladder infection visit was 300.00 dollars.

Thank you.

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