How to ensure your elderly dog lives a Good Life as we head into winter

As winter arrives on our doorstep, ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of our senior dogs becomes even more crucial. Here's how you can help your elderly dog live their best life during the colder months.  

As winter arrives on our doorstep, ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of our senior dogs becomes even more crucial. Here's how you can help your elderly dog live their best life during the colder months.  

When is a pet classified as being senior or mature? 

There’s no firm age when a dog goes from being a mature adult to becoming a senior, as the timing varies greatly depending on your dog’s breed and size.  

A small breed dog's lifespan is typically longer than a large breed and can be up to about 16 years. So, a small, healthy dog might not be considered a senior until they are 12 years old. Whereas larger dog breeds tend to have shorter lifespans, meaning they enter their golden years more quickly. A Labradors ’typical lifespan is about 12 years, so they are considered to be senior at around eight to nine years old. Gorgeous giant breeds, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, would be considered seniors around four to five years old. 

However, the aging process involves reliable signs across breeds.  As our pets age, they show changes in appearance, such as grey hairs, changes in the way they move, as well as reductions in their hearing and visual abilities.  Even if a senior pet does not outwardly appear old, changes will be happening internally, such as their immune and digestive systems. These changes in their physiology lead to behavioural changes which might include altered interactions with the family, confusion about familiar places, changes in sleeping patterns, and toileting accidents.  

Apart from the normal behavioural changes associated with slowing down due to the aging process, there are also age-related complications and disorders which become more likely. These include mobility issues such as stiffness in limbs which may be a sign of arthritis and should be addressed with your vet.  

How does the winter weather factor into this?  

• Temperature regulation: Older pets often struggle with temperature regulation – in the heat or the cold. In winter they have a harder time maintaining their body heat, making them more susceptible to the cold. Aging can lead to changes in the skin and coat, exacerbating the issue, as dry, brittle fur and skin can reduce the effectiveness of their natural insulation.  

• Reduced mobility and stiffness: Cold weather can also exacerbate arthritis and joint pain, making it harder for senior dogs to move around comfortably. Stiffness and discomfort are more pronounced in colder temperatures, leading to reduced mobility and increased pain. Poor circulation is common in elderly dogs, which can make it difficult for them to keep their extremities warm.  

• Weaker immune systems: Senior dogs typically have weaker immune systems, making them more vulnerable to illnesses and infections that are more common in the winter months. Cold weather can also put additional stress on their bodies, further compromising their immune response. 

• Reduced physical activity: Cold weather can discourage older dogs from being active, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle. This reduction in activity can contribute to weight gain and a decline in overall health and mobility. 

Essential winter care for aging canines 

So, what can you do to cater for your elderly companion? 

• Keep them warm: This is the first and most obvious action.  Ensure their living areas and warm and draft-free and provide warm bedding, that might also be orthopedic or memory foam beds to support their joints. Be sure that any heaters are safe and cords cannot be chewed or tripped over by your dog. It may also be appropriate to dress your dog in a warm sweater or coat when going outside, depending on if you dog is happy to wear these. You might protect their paws from cold and ice by using dog booties, which can also prevent slipping. 

• Home modifications: There may also be home modifications you can do to assist your elderly companion, such as using ramps for getting on furniture or in and out of the car, and toe grips to prevent slipping on hardwood floors.  

• Modify exercise: A shorter walk routine might also suit your animals, helping to avoid strenuous activity but also limiting prolonged exposure to the cold. Instead, you could look at increasing enrichment activities to compensate for less walks.  

• Address mobility issues and pain management: Helping senior dogs with mobility issues can improve their quality of life. Veterinarians can advise on the best approach to pain management, which may include pain medications, joint supplements, acupuncture and laser therapy, physical therapy or possibly surgical options. 

• Regular Health Monitoring: Senior dogs benefit from more frequent veterinary visits— ideally twice a year. Monitor their daily routine closely and consult your vet about any significant changes in behavior or health. Specialised diets and supplements may also help manage the effects of aging. 

• Adjust your expectations: Gradual loss of hearing and visual ability can often be confusing and somewhat distressing to your older dog.  Older animals generally gain much comfort and security from being with their owner. These changes in personality might include behaviours such as following the owner around the house, being distressed when left alone, being frightened of the unfamiliar and needing more reassurance.  

 A Good Life for an older animal requires that you cater for their changing needs. It is important to recognise and respond to cognitive decline in your elderly pet. Senior dogs can suffer from cognitive dysfunctions, similar to Alzheimer’s in humans, causing disorientation, house training regression, altered sleep and activity levels, and changes in social interactions. Address behavioral issues early and consult a veterinarian and/or a veterinary behaviorist if you are concerned about this being a problem. 

Finally - provided they receive the care they need as they move into their senior years, your older dog may stay spritely and active for some time to come. The most important elements to keep in mind are regular and timely veterinary care, appropriate nutrition and exercise to their age and health status, and of course mental stimulation.  

By addressing these needs and making necessary adjustments in relation to the weather, you can help your senior dog enjoy their golden years comfortably and healthily, ensuring the best possible quality of life.

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Dog Anxiety Awareness Week

Dog Anxiety Awareness Week takes place from 6-12 May this year. This is a great time to shed light on the multifaceted aspects of canine anxiety; a common emotional state among dogs which requires attentive care and support. 

In the realm of pet behaviour, the terms "anxiety" and "fear" often overlap, yet they carry distinct meanings crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Anxiety, unlike fear, stems from an anticipatory sense of threat, triggered by contextual cues rather than immediate danger.

Recognising and addressing anxiety in our furry family members is pivotal for their wellbeing and ability to have a Good Life. 

What can cause anxiety? It’s important to get to the root cause of the anxiety in order to address it. For example, it could be related to being separated from the owner – where the root cause is likely to be ‘over-attachment’ - this is something that has been reported to be common in dogs that have been rehomed repeatedly. Alternatively, it could be triggered by specific events like fireworks, initially causing fear but evolving into anxiety due to the inability to locate or control the source.

Having an understanding of the reason for the anxious response goes a long way to helping to resolve it and improve dogs’ quality of life. 

What are the tell-tale signs of anxiety in dogs? 

Anxious dogs and cats exhibit a spectrum of behaviours signalling their distress. 

1. Behavioural changes: Dogs experiencing anxiety may exhibit alterations in their behaviour patterns. This can include increased arousal levels, hyper-vigilance, hesitation or inhibition in completing tasks, restlessness, and heightened locomotor activity (moving the body through space from one location to another). Additionally, they may display behaviours such as pacing, excessive barking, or compulsive actions. 

2. Physiological symptoms: Anxiety often manifests in physiological responses in dogs, including increased heart rate and respiratory rate. Excessive panting, trembling, or shaking are common physiological signs observed during anxious episodes. 

3. Changes in interaction: Anxious dogs may demonstrate differences in their social interactions. They might display over-attachment behaviours towards their owners, seeking constant reassurance or physical contact, especially during stressful situations. 

4. Toileting issues: In cases of separation anxiety or heightened distress, dogs may exhibit inappropriate toileting behaviours indoors, such as urinating or defecating inside the house. This can serve as a visible indicator of their emotional state. 

5. Destructive behavior: Anxiety can lead to destructive behaviours in dogs, such as chewing furniture, digging, or scratching excessively. These actions often occur as a coping mechanism or outlet for their heightened emotional arousal. 

6. Withdrawal and Avoidance: Some anxious dogs may exhibit withdrawal behaviours, seeking isolation or hiding in secluded areas. They might also display avoidance behaviours, attempting to escape or avoid situations that trigger their anxiety. 

7. Excessive vocalisation: Anxious dogs may vocalise excessively, manifesting as whining, howling, or barking beyond typical communication needs. This vocalisation can serve as an expression of their distress or an attempt to seek attention or relief. 

 What to do if you think your dog has anxiety? 

To all the pet owners who find themselves navigating the complex world of canine anxiety, we commend you for your unwavering dedication to your companion animal’s welfare. Recognising the signs of anxiety in your dog is a testament to your attentiveness and empathy as a guardian.  

It's essential to acknowledge that while your love and concern are invaluable, you can't be expected to be the sole expert in deciphering and managing your dog's anxiety. Treating anxiety-related behaviours requires a nuanced understanding of their underlying triggers. Seeking help from trained professionals is a proactive step towards ensuring the best possible care for your beloved pet.  

Veterinarians and Certified Animal Behaviorists play a pivotal role in diagnosing, treating, and managing anxiety-related concerns in pets. Their guidance, alongside tailored treatment plans, empowers pet owners to address behavioural challenges effectively. Once diagnosed with the help of a trained professional, a comprehensive approach involving medication and physical activity proves most effective in managing canine anxiety, as untreated anxiety can have long-lasting mental and physical health complications. 

What might an expert address? 

Depending on the root cause of anxiety, there are various strategies that can be used to help your animal’s specific needs: 

1.  Behaviour modification techniques: Implementing behaviour modification techniques based on positive reinforcement can help dogs learn to cope with anxiety triggers. Desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques gradually expose the dog to anxiety-inducing stimuli in a controlled manner while pairing them with positive experiences, such as treats or play, to change their emotional response. 

2. Environmental enrichment: Enriching the dog's environment with toys, puzzles, and interactive activities can provide mental stimulation and alleviate boredom, which can contribute to anxiety. Additionally, creating safe spaces, such as cozy dens or quiet retreats, where the dog can retreat during stressful situations can help them feel more secure. 

3. Regular exercise and mental stimulation: Engaging in regular physical exercise and mental stimulation through activities like walks, play sessions, and training exercises can help reduce anxiety by promoting relaxation and releasing endorphins, which are natural stress-relievers. 

4. Consistent routine: Establishing a consistent daily routine for feeding, exercise, playtime, and rest can provide dogs with a sense of predictability and security, reducing anxiety related to uncertainty or change. 

5. Nutritional support: Some dietary supplements and specially formulated foods contain ingredients that may help support canine mental health and reduce anxiety. Consultation with a veterinarian can help identify appropriate dietary interventions for anxiety management. 

6. Medication: In severe cases of anxiety or when other interventions are insufficient, prescription medications may be necessary to manage symptoms. Medications can help alleviate anxiety and improve the dog's overall wellbeing. However, medication should always be used under the guidance of a veterinarian and as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. 

If you have specific concerns, we recommend speaking with your vet or reaching out to an accredited professional to assist you and your animal. You can see a list of Companion Animal New Zealand’s accredited professionals here. 

Why do dogs dig holes in the garden?

Of the many lovable traits our canine companions have, digging big holes in the garden is not likely one of them. But why do some dogs love to dig so much? We look into the underlying reasons why this can become their favourite pastime and what you might be able to do about it. 

Let’s cut to the chase. For dogs, digging is an instinctive behaviour. You might know this already in some way – as we see many companion dogs shovelling dirt with their paws as if they were born to transform our carefully tended gardens into excavation sites. But despite looking natural – we still scratch our head thinking Why? What are they getting from this? 

An instinctive heritage 

The ancestors of our domestic dogs dug to create dens or shelters, or to bury food for later consumption, and those that dug well would have been more likely to breed and survive. These ‘hard-wired’ traits are so ingrained, despite having no obvious function in the modern living situation and many, many years of humans domesticating canines to meet our changing expectations.  

Recent genetic studies suggest that domestication of dogs might have taken place earlier than we originally thought. Early zooarchaeological research found evidence of dog domestication somewhere between 12-15,000 years ago. However, DNA analysis highlights that dogs likely split off from their wolf-ancestry around 130,000 years ago! While this doesn’t mean they were companion animals for all this time, it supports that dogs were alongside humans a lot longer than we originally thought.  

That means thousands of years of dogs digging the Earth. In other words, it is one heck of a legacy of survival strategies passed down through generations! 

However in modern times, these hard-wired traits can cause problems for us. So, what can you do? 

Addressing the root causes of digging 

When dealing with unwanted digging, it’s important to remember that whilst often considered as a nuisance for pet owners, digging is a perfectly natural behaviour for dogs – alongside barking, circling before lying down and other distinctive “doggy” behaviours.  

Consider how well adapted their strong front paws are for digging and shovelling, with some dogs (terrier breeds especially) being ‘purpose-bred’ by humans through history for use in digging foxes/rabbits from their dens/burrows. 

To understand why dogs dig holes in the garden, we need to go back to basics. For a behaviour to be maintained, there must be a rewarding consequence for the animal. It could be that a negative situation perceived by the dog is alleviated through doing the behaviour, or a positive circumstance and feeling is enhanced. It’s important to understand the motivation for the digging behaviour, so that it can be effectively and humanely addressed. 

There are a number of possible reasons or underlying motivations for why dogs start digging and why the behaviour is maintained including: 

• Boredom or Anxiety: Dogs may dig out of boredom or to alleviate anxiety and stress. It's their way of coping with excess energy or pent-up emotions. If you prevent digging without providing an alternative outlet or activity that is effective for reducing negative emotions such as stress or anxiety, you will be making the situation worse for the animal. 

• Comfort-Seeking: Digging can also be a way for dogs to create cool spots in hot weather or warmer places during colder periods. So, if digging is connected with temperature changes – this provides a clue to how the behaviour can be effectively addressed. 

• Instinctive Hunting: Some dogs, driven by their prey drive, may dig to unearth little ground dwelling creatures like rodents or insects, using their keen senses of smell and hearing. If you notice that the dog tends to dig most at certain times of the year or in certain places, such as the roots of trees or fence posts – this may be due to them sensing grubs or rodents under the ground. Of course, the rewarding consequences of digging and locating a tasty food item, or the fun of the hunt – means that the digging behaviour will be maintained. 

• Hoarding Instinct: Dogs may hide prized possessions, like bones, by burying them in holes, a behaviour rooted in their instinct to hoard food. This behaviour has stood the test of time through evolution and had important survival value. Although they don’t need to hoard food to eat when food is scarce, some domestic dogs instinctively hide precious goodies. Redirecting the ‘hiding behaviour’ through positive training to a place that is less damaging to the garden, is one way to reduce the dog’s need to dig a hole to bury special food. 

• Attention-Seeking: If digging earns them attention from their human companions, dogs may continue the behaviour as a means of seeking interaction. There’s nothing more rewarding to a social animal like a dog as their human giving them attention, so if a dog learns this works for them – the unwanted behaviour will be reinforced. If this is the possible motivation driving the behaviour, it’s important to ensure that you don’t become the cause! 

• Escape Behaviour:  In some cases, dogs may dig to escape from fenced areas, especially if they frustrated or stressed by being contained due to being left alone for long periods without proper mental and physical stimulation. If this is the reason for the dog to dig, then it’s important to address the behaviour as a symptom of the dog being in a negative emotional state. Training and use of enrichment to make the environment more interesting and rewarding, are two ways to provide a better life experience for the dog. 

Whilst there are many options for deterring or eliminating digging behaviour, understanding the underlying cause is key to managing it effectively and ensuring that the dog continues to enjoy a Good Life.  

Since digging is a perfectly natural behaviour and many dogs appear to love to dig – owners need to think about how they can provide their dog with a suitable alternative, and/or a managed opportunity for them to enjoy themselves.  

A small sandpit as a designated digging area for your dog, will provide him/her with an outlet for rewarding behaviours such as digging and playing in a controlled environment, whilst also sparing the lawn. Reinforcing digging ONLY in that designated area can be through burying dog treats and toys in the soil/sand and giving the dog positive attention when they are digging only in that area.   

The next time you catch your furry friend excavating your flower beds, remember, it's not just a hole in the ground - it's a glimpse into their instinctive world.