How Do L Know If My Senior Dog Is Suffering?10 Key Signs & Coping Guidelines

When your dog starts to grow a grey beard and walk slower, you may realise he’s entering his senior years. Data from the American Veterinary Medical Association shows that more than 50 per cent of dogs over the age of 11 will develop at least one chronic health problem. As a pet parent, the hardest part is often determining whether these changes are a sign of normal aging or pain. Here’s a summary of key determinations and practical solutions from American pet experts.

1. These behavioural changes may be silent distress signals

**Sudden ‘bad temper’ **
A gentle golden retriever starts growling at you, or a clingy poodle suddenly goes into hiding? The California Animal Behaviour Institute found that 85% of pain-induced aggression is mistaken by owners for a ‘personality change’. Pain can make even the friendliest dogs irritable, especially when the affected area is touched.
Abnormal Sleep Patterns
It is normal for healthy older dogs to sleep 16-18 hours a day, but be wary of these two conditions:

Tossing and turning and constantly changing positions (possible joint pain)
Sleeping in a wardrobe or bathroom (seeking hard surfaces to support their backs)

**Loss of the ‘happy button
When your dog loses interest in these three things, it’s time to sound the alarm:
✓ Refusing to play with a favourite squeaky toy
✓ Ignoring invitations for walks
✓ Neglecting snacks (dental problems or digestive pain)

2. Body warning signs that are easy to ignore

Secrets of Breathing Frequency
Healthy dogs breathe 15-30 times per minute when calm. Have a mobile phone stopwatch ready to measure while your dog is in deep sleep:

Consistently exceeds 35 breaths per minute
‘Abdominal Breathing’ (visible heaving of the abdomen)
This may be a sign of heart or lung problems.

Five Danger Signs When Walking **The American Osteopathic Veterinary Association recommends watching for.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Veterinarians recommends watching for:

Hind legs that look like bunny hops (hip problems)
Hesitation when walking down stairs (forelimb pain)
Head slumping when walking (cervical spine problems)
Sudden licking of specific joints
Taking longer than 10 seconds to get up

The Truth Behind Dietary Abnormalities
Seattle Pet Nutrition Centre case shows:

Hanging around food bowl but not eating (oral ulcers)
Eating only soft foods (periodontal disease)
Spike in food intake but lose weight (diabetes mellitus)
Frequent arching of the back for food (stomach upset).

3. Home Self-examination and Emergency Treatment Programme

**Three-minute palpation method
Help your dog with weekly physical check-ups with touch:
press gently on the spine (look for muscle twitch response)
move the joints of limbs (to check the range of motion)
touch the abdomen (for stiffness and bulging)
check the gums (paleness may be anaemic)
Pain Rating Assessment Form

Based on the Colorado State University Animal Pain Scale:
Grade Manifestation Response
Grade 1 Occasional licking of affected area 48 hour observation
Grade 2 Refuses to jump/walk up stairs Make an appointment for a non-emergency veterinary examination
Grade 3 Trembling/panting/anorexia Appointment for non-emergency veterinary examination within 24 hours Grade 4 Level 4 Persistent whining/inability to stand Immediate emergency care 4. 7 Tips to Enhance the Quality of Life of Older Dogs
1. Environmental modification
- Lay out non-slip walkways with yoga mats
- Raise food bowls to elbow height
- Set up multiple watering points (one every 30 square feet)
1. New Options for Pain Management
  In addition to traditional medications, U.S. veterinarians now recommend:
- Cold laser therapy (for arthritis)
- Underwater treadmill (low impact exercise)
- CBD oil (requires veterinarian-guided dosage)
1. **Cognitive training for depression prevention
  Performed for 10 minutes a day:
- Odour search game (hide snacks in towel)
- Puzzle feeder challenge
- Gentle massage session
V. When should I make a tough decision? Dogs may need to be considered for hospice care when they have
- Refuses all food for 3 consecutive days
- Unable to control elimination on his own
- Loss of responsiveness to favourite family members
- Persistent signs of pain for which painkillers are ineffective.
American Pet Hospice recommends weekly assessments using the Quality of Life Scale:
- Pain control □ Yes □ No
- Self-directed activities □Yes □No
- Eating pleasure □Yes □No
- Social interaction □Yes □No
  Two or more ‘No’s’ require in-depth discussion with your veterinarian.
Final Reminder: According to a survey conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association, 83% of pet owners regretted afterwards that they ‘did not notice the signs of pain earlier’. Regularly use your phone to record your dog’s daily behaviour and build up a health profile, which will be the strongest basis for identifying abnormalities. Remember, your careful observation is the key to your furry child’s well-being in later life.