10 Signs Your Dog is Ageing (and How to Make Their Life Easier)

by Karina Caribana

Published at DogStar Club — June 2026

Category: Geriatric care / Wellness

Introduction

A day comes when your dog, the one who just yesterday was a tireless puppy chasing the ball until they dropped, starts taking things more slowly. Their muzzle fills with grey hairs. The stairs they used to leap up now get a respectful look.

Watching your dog age is bittersweet. There's sadness, yes, because you know time is passing. But there's also an immense privilege: having shared an entire life together, having made it this far together.

Older dogs are not just old, sick dogs. They are wise dogs, who deserve a dignified, comfortable and happy old age. And we, as owners, have the responsibility to adapt their environment and care to their new needs.

In this article, we show you the 10 most common signs of canine ageing and, most importantly, what you can do to make this stage the best it can be.

1. Grey Hairs on the Muzzle and Around the Eyes

What it means: Natural ageing. Melanin decreases and hair loses colour. In most breeds, the first grey hairs appear around 6-8 years of age.

Don't confuse with: Stress. Young dogs can also develop premature grey hairs from chronic stress. If your dog is young and has grey hairs, check their emotional well-being.

How to help: You don't need to do anything specific about the grey hairs. But it's a good visual reminder: your dog is in a new stage. Adjust their care accordingly.

2. Decreased Energy and More Hours of Sleep

What it means: Metabolism slows down. Older dogs sleep 16-18 hours a day (younger ones, 12-14). Fatigue is normal as long as it's not excessive.

⚠️ Warning sign: If the increase in sleep is sudden or accompanied by disorientation, loss of appetite, or lack of response to stimuli, it could be a sign of canine dementia (Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome) or illness.

How to help:

  • Don't wake them unnecessarily
  • Maintain regular sleep schedules
  • Adjust exercise to their new capacity: shorter but more frequent walks
  • Respect their naps

3. Difficulty Climbing Stairs or Jumping onto the Sofa

What it means: Arthritis, dysplasia, or simply joint wear and tear. It's the most common reason for vet visits in geriatric dogs. Joint cartilage wears down and movement becomes painful.

Fact: 80% of dogs over 8 years old have some degree of arthritis, though not always visible.

How to help:

  • **Ramps:** Install ramps to access the sofa, bed or car. You don't have to buy anything expensive — a wooden plank with non-slip surface works.
  • **Non-slip mats:** Tiled or wooden floors are slippery and difficult for a dog with weak joints. Place rubber mats or non-slip rugs on the routes they use most.
  • **Orthopaedic bed:** A memory foam bed relieves pressure points and distributes weight evenly. Recommended investment.
  • **Joint supplements:** Glucosamine, chondroitin and Omega-3 fatty acids can slow deterioration. Consult your vet for the right dosage and brand.
  • **Weight control:** Every extra kilo is an additional burden on the joints. Older dogs tend to be overweight.



4. Hearing Loss


What it means: Degeneration of the inner ear is common in older dogs. It can be gradual (barely noticeable) or sudden (visible).

Signs:

  • Doesn't respond when called (but looks at you if you moved to call them)
  • Startles more easily when touched unexpectedly
  • Sleeps more deeply (noises that used to wake them no longer do)

How to help:

  • Always approach from the FRONT. Don't touch them unexpectedly from behind.
  • Use visual signals (hand gestures) to replace verbal commands
  • Increase vibration: step more heavily when approaching (they'll feel the vibrations)
  • Never scold them for not hearing you — it's not disobedience, it's deafness
  • Put a small bell on their collar if they get lost visually, so you can locate them

5. Vision Problems

What it means: Nuclear sclerosis (natural clouding of the lens) is normal with age. Cataracts (pathological clouding) require attention. Both are common in older dogs.

Signs:

  • Bumps into furniture they used to avoid
  • Hesitates when going down stairs or kerbs
  • Can't find their food even when it's close
  • Especially problems in low light

⚠️ Warning sign: Diabetic cataract (sudden onset, related to diabetes). If vision loss is rapid, see a vet.

How to help:

  • Don't rearrange the furniture. Older dogs with vision problems memorise the layout of the house.
  • Keep food and water in the SAME place always.
  • Use night lights in walkways (night vision is the first to fail).
  • On walks, avoid routes with level changes or uneven surfaces.
  • Use smell: you can mark areas with scents (e.g. a little safe essential oil near their bed).

6. Changes in Appetite and Weight

What it means: Metabolism changes. Some older dogs eat less (less activity = less caloric need). Others eat more without gaining weight (may indicate metabolic or digestive problems).

⚠️ Warning signs:

  • Unexplained weight loss → possible kidney failure, diabetes, cancer or dental problems
  • Sudden weight gain → possible hypothyroidism
  • Eating a lot without gaining weight → possible diabetes or hyperthyroidism

How to help:

  • Switch to a senior dog food (fewer calories, more fibre, adjusted phosphorus and sodium levels)
  • Divide the portion into 2-3 meals (better digestion, less risk of bloat)
  • Warm the food slightly (stronger aroma stimulates appetite in dogs with diminished sense of smell)
  • Consult the vet if there are sudden weight changes

7. Urinary Incontinence

What it means: Loss of sphincter control. It is common in older spayed females (urethral sphincter weakness) and in dogs with cognitive or mobility issues (they don't make it to the door in time).

Don't punish: Your dog isn't peeing "out of disobedience" or "to annoy". They can't control it. Scolding only adds stress and confusion.

How to help:

  • Puppy pads or dog nappies in resting areas
  • More trips outside (every 3-4 hours, even schedule a night-time outing)
  • Vet check to rule out urinary infection (common in older dogs and treatable)
  • In spayed females, medication may help (urethral collagen, topical oestrogens — consult your vet)

8. Changes in the Sleep-Wake Cycle

What it means: Older dogs may wake up more at night, wander aimlessly, or sleep more during the day. It's part of normal ageing and also of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (canine Alzheimer's).

Signs of CDS (Cognitive Dysfunction):

  • Staring blankly at walls or corners
  • Gets lost in the house or garden
  • Doesn't recognise familiar family members
  • Changes in sleep-wake cycle (sleeps during the day, wanders at night)
  • Forgets learned commands

How to help:

  • STRICT routine: same meal time, walk time, sleep time. Predictability reduces anxiety.
  • Gentle mental exercise: sniffing mats, easy puzzles, simple commands
  • Soft night lighting: helps with night-time disorientation
  • Supplements: SAM-e, Omega-3, antioxidants (consult your vet)
  • In advanced cases, specific veterinary medication (selegiline)

9. Loss of Muscle Mass (Sarcopenia)

What it means: Age-related muscle loss. Older dogs lose muscle even with good nutrition. Reduced activity accelerates the process.

How to help:

  • HIGH quality protein in every meal (egg, chicken, fish)
  • Gentle but REGULAR exercise: short daily walks maintain muscle
  • Swimming: excellent low-impact exercise for older dogs (if the dog enjoys water)
  • Omega-3 supplements (anti-inflammatory, helps preserve muscle mass)
  • In dogs with severe loss, professional canine physiotherapy

10. Increased Sensitivity to Cold and Heat

What it means: With age, the ability to regulate body temperature decreases. Older dogs feel the cold more (less subcutaneous fat, slower metabolism) and suffer more in the heat (less efficient panting).

How to help:

  • **In winter:** Coat for walks (yes, even if they have fur), raised bed off the floor (cold draughts), extra blanket in their resting area
  • **In summer:** Never walk in the heat, cooling mat, water always available, avoid intense exercise
  • **Inside:** Stable temperature (not too cold or too hot), bed away from draughts

Senior Dog Health Checklist

Every 6 months (recommended):

  • ☐ Full blood test (including kidney and liver function)
  • ☐ Urinalysis
  • ☐ Dental check (teeth can hurt and the dog won't show it)
  • ☐ Cardiac auscultation (heart murmurs are common in older dogs)
  • ☐ Joint check (palpation to detect arthritis)
  • ☐ Eye check (cataracts, eye pressure)
  • ☐ Weight (record and compare with previous visits)

Signs something is WRONG (see the vet):

  • Lameness lasting more than 3 days
  • Lack of appetite lasting more than 24 hours
  • Recurrent vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Difficulty urinating or defecating
  • Persistent cough (especially worse at night)
  • Excessive panting without heat or exercise
  • Sudden change in behaviour (aggression, extreme apathy)

Conclusion: The Privilege of Ageing Together

Every grey hair on their muzzle is a shared memory. Every slower step is a story lived together. Watching your dog age hurts, yes. But it's also a reminder that you've done your job well: you've created such a strong bond that time shows when it passes.

Older dogs teach us something that younger ones don't know: the beauty of calm, the value of rest, the importance of being present. They give us their wisest, calmest, most grateful version.

Make their golden years comfortable. Adapt your home. Adjust your routine. Spend on their comfort without remorse. Because when time runs out, you won't remember what you spent on their orthopaedic bed. You'll remember the mornings you found them sleeping peacefully, without pain, knowing they were loved.

And when the time comes to say goodbye, you can do so with the peace of mind that you gave them the best life possible... until the very last day.

🐾 This article is part of the DogStar educational series. Take a minute today to check on your older dog's comfort. A small change can mean a lot to them.

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