General Signs of Old Age
The early signs of ageing can be noticed in the dog’s physical appearance. We may notice grey hair around his muzzle, along with a comparatively duller and drier coat. He is slow to get up in the morning, taking a few stiff steps before he starts to walk normally. In general he is less active and does not even respond to his name as readily as he used to earlier. He sleeps a great deal of the time. When the dog was young, he might not have minded if someone accidentally bumped into him while he was resting. Similarly he might have tolerated his food bowl being taken away or a small child physically pestering him. But in his old age, he may be irritable, and such trifles may cause great annoyance to him. He may sometimes even growl at small things, which he never did before. This change in his behavior may annoy the owner, who may sometimes want to hit him. This is a very wrong attitude, as the failing senses, combined with possible stomach, kidney and other infirmities associated with old age, may be the cause of such changed behavior.
Consideration and toleration for the old dog is imperative to allow him to pass his old age comfortably and to help him live longer. A little patience in picking up his bowl till he has finished his food, training children to avoid pestering the old dog…. these little things will go a long way.