End of Life Care: Making Your Dog's Last Days Their Best Ones

Perhaps aging is the worst part of dog ownership. Having an elderly dog can be both so wonderful yet devastating as you know what is coming soon. After 8 years-of-age, your dog is a senior and may be developing dementia, arthritis, cancer and many other conditions that affect their overall quality of life. Many older dogs spend most of their time resting and you will start to see them slow down after a while, although many puppers continue to be active in their final years. Changes in behavior are a good indicator something is off in their world, from anything as simple as pacing, to crying to even becoming more irritable at certain times of the day. In this article, I will be discussing the best tips, tricks and recommendations on how to help your senior comfortable, settled, calm and relaxed to the best of our abilities.

First off, I'd like to start by saying that just by opening this article and reading what I have to say today, you're doing an amazing job as a pet parent. Caring for seniors are no easy thing, and you are already making steps to fulfill their lives. Pet parents are a different breed (no pun intended), we love our pets to such a deep, unimaginable extent that can never be put into words.

Dementia

Dementia (aka Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CDD)) in case you didn't know is a condition in older dogs that causes cognitive decline. It is like the doggy version of Alzheimer's in people. Symptoms to look out for include memory loss, disorientation and changes in behavior, sleep and social activity. There is no cure for dementia, but treatments can help manage symptoms and hopefully slow down progression of the disease. Dementia is unfortunately quite common in elderly dogs, and the most classic signs that I've seen are restlessness, pacing and crying.

Keep a Predictable Routine

I cannot emphasize this enough in older dogs. Do everything in your power to stick to the same feeding, walking, and bedtime schedule each day. Avoid big changes in their environment and keep furniture and belongings in familiar places as much as possible. A predictable, consistent routine gives them a sense of security and reduces overall anxiety. Setting fixed times daily activities helps their body "predict" what comes next and lowers confusion.

Environment

Create a calm, environment as best as you can. I have noticed that dogs are most calm during the evening, so utilize this time frame. Dim the lights and lowering noises like TV or loud music, can be very beneficial to your dog's overall flow. I would also provide a cozy, familiar bed in a quiet spot that they are free to access. As cheesy as it sounds, I've had great success with music. Try calming background noise, like soft classic music, white noise, or even a calming dog playlist.

Aids

Sometimes, outside influence is helpful, or even needed and calming aids are perfect for many scenarios. Adaptil diffusers or a collar with a dog-appeasing pheromone, have been proved to lower visible anxiety levels in canines. Also, lick mats and/or puzzle food toys work excellent to redirect pacing and soothe anxiety. A last resort for me is the use of calming supplements, although many people have seen great success with Zylkene, VetriScience Composure, or vet-approved CBD product. Always check with your vet first before trying any of those products.

Exercise

Believe it or not, providing gentle exercise during the day can highly improve your dog's spirits! Short walk or gentle play can help reduce restlessness. If you have a very restless dog, it's a good idea to avoid letting them sleep all day, if possible, as gentle engagement helps tire them out and keeps their minds occupied.

Vet

Once your pet starts showing signs of really slowing down, it's time to talk to your vet. Until that last moment, there are medications that can significantly improve quality of life. Your vet can also rule out any pain, arthritis or other medical issues that may worsen their condition and help them be more balanced and pleased.

Offering comfort and reassurance is the best thing you can do for your dog. Sit with them, pet them and let them sleep near you, and just enjoy their presence. A shirt or blanket with your scent can be soothing to them as well.