Senior Dog Behavior Changes: What to Expect as Dogs Age

VCA says dogs are “generally considered senior when they have reached 75% of their average lifespan.” The behavior changes that come with age include sleeping more, restlessness at night, confusion, anxiety, accidents in the house, less interest in play, and hearing and vision loss. Some of these point to pain or illness and some point to cognitive dysfunction syndrome, a brain disease of older dogs. Below is what the VCA animal hospitals library, the American Kennel Club (AKC), Ohio State University's Indoor Pet Initiative, and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine say about each one.

When a Dog Counts as a Senior

VCA says “There is no one age at which dogs are considered senior, since there is so much variation among breeds.” It adds “Giant breed dogs like Great Danes are seniors at five or six years, while small breeds may be considered senior at 10 to 12 years.”

The AKC gives different ranges: “Small breeds are often considered seniors sometime between 8 and 12 years old, while giant breeds may reach this stage as early as 6 or 7 years old.” On the idea that a dog becomes a senior at seven, the AKC says “There are reasons for this, but it doesn’t apply to every dog.”

Senior Dog Behavior Changes to Expect

Sleeping more and restless nights

The AKC reports that “One of the most common changes both Dr. McCue and Dr. Morgan notice in their patients is a change in the sleep/wake cycle.” In its words, “With their days and nights mixed up, dogs will tend to be active and awake at night, while sleeping most of the day.”

Cornell's list of signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome includes “Wandering the house at night, sleeping more during the day.” VCA lists “Decreased activity or sleeping more than usual” among the signs that should not wait for the next checkup.

Confusion and disorientation

Cornell lists “Getting lost in familiar places, stuck in corners, staring into space” as disorientation. The AKC calls unfamiliarity with familiar environments “a red flag.”

Ohio State's Indoor Pet Initiative says “Household changes or rearrangements may be associated with an increase in anxiety, confusion and withdrawal.”

Anxiety, clinginess, and irritability

Cornell lists interaction changes as “Suddenly clingy or avoidant, not recognizing familiar people,” and anxiety as “Increased anxiety, new phobias, irritability, aggression.”

On hearing loss, Ohio State says “Dogs and cats that are startled easily are susceptible to showing fear related aggression, both to human family members and other pets in the household.” On pain, it says “Painful pets may also have a general irritability, leading to a lowered threshold for aggression during interactions or activities that may not have previously elicited an aggressive response.”

Hearing and vision loss

A dog's senses can deteriorate with age. Ohio State says “Hearing loss is most often due to changes in external hearing mechanisms in geriatric patients.” It says “Vision changes are most commonly associated with normal lens thickening/dehydration (lenticular sclerosis), but may involve other lens and retinal changes.”

Smell and taste change too. Ohio State says “The senses of taste and smell may also decline with increasing age. This change might manifest as alterations in appetite and food preferences.” The AKC says “Trouble navigating through the house at night can be a result of changing vision.”

Accidents in the house

Cornell lists house-soiling as “Urinating or defecating indoors when they were previously house-trained.” Dr. Judy Morgan, a veterinarian quoted by the AKC, says “This is where we, as veterinarians, have to figure out what is a medical problem versus a behavioral change.”

Another common but often overlooked issue with aging pets is incontinence in older dogs. Senior dogs might lose control of their bladder or bowels due to weakened muscles, cognitive decline, or underlying medical conditions. This can be stressful both for your dog and your household. However, understanding the causes and exploring available treatment options can help manage this condition effectively, ensuring your beloved companion maintains a good quality of life throughout their golden years.

Less interest in play and activity

Cornell lists activity level changes as “Decreased interest in playing or doing other activities, restlessness, pacing.” Among common signs of aging, the AKC lists “Sleeping more or having lower energy levels” and “Showing less enthusiasm for walks, play, or other activities they previously enjoyed.”

Pain and other health problems

VCA says “Senior dogs are more likely than younger dogs to have several health conditions at once, making diagnosis and treatment more complicated.” It lists osteoarthritis, obesity, dental disease, hormonal disorders such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and cognitive dysfunction as the major health problems of older dogs.

The AKC says “Dogs are unfortunately experts at hiding their discomfort.” For long-term research, read about canine lifetime health, and for dogs with sore joints, see senior dog arthritis comfort.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in Older Dogs

Known as CDS or doggy dementia, the condition is, in Cornell's words, “a common age-related disease in dogs that affects the brain, causing deterioration similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans.” Cornell says “Dogs may start to develop CDS around nine years of age, or older.”

Ohio State says “Cognitive decline (aka dementia) is not considered a normal aging change, although its occurrence does increase with advanced age.” It reports a University of California, Davis study that found 28% of dogs aged 11-12 years and 68% of dogs aged 15-16 years showed one or more signs of cognitive impairment.

On the cause, Cornell says “One of the degenerative changes that occurs is the build-up of a protein called beta-amyloid, which creates toxic conditions for neurons.”

Cornell lists seven common signs: disorientation, interaction changes, sleep pattern changes, house-soiling, activity level changes, anxiety, and learning changes. It describes learning changes as “No longer responding to previously known commands or struggling to learn new ones.”

On diagnosis, Cornell says “CDS is diagnosed based on the demonstration of clinical signs.” Your veterinarian will recommend blood and urine tests “to rule out other conditions with similar signs, such as pain, arthritis, seizure disorders, systemic illnesses, and vision or hearing loss.”

On treatment, Cornell says “There is no one treatment or cure for CDS, and research is ongoing in this area.” It also says “Selegiline is a medication approved for CDS treatment in North America” and “Consult with your veterinarian before starting any supplements.” Cornell's outcome line reads “Early intervention with diet, enrichment and medications can help slow the progression of CDS and improve their quality of life.”

Helping an Older Dog Adjust

Mental stimulation

Cornell says “Interacting with your dog regularly through play, varied or interactive toys, regular exercise and more can help stimulate their brain.” Ohio State lists “exercise, new and interactive toys, and learning new tasks” as environmental enrichment. Dr. Morgan adds in the AKC article “The more we interact and challenge our dogs the better their mental acuity.” Read more about interactive dog toys.

Exercise

The AKC says “For dogs that can no longer go the distance a short walk will suffice; the important thing is to keep them moving.”

A comfortable bed

VCA says “Older dogs should have easy access to a warm and comfortable bed to sleep safely without fear of disturbance. If they prefer the couch or your bed, provide a ramp or stairs to help them get there.”

Weight and food

VCA says “Weigh your dog (on the same scale) at least every two months. Weight changes can be an early indicator of disease.” It also says “Feed your older dog high-quality, easily digestible food. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best options for your dog.”

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When to See a Vet About Behavior Changes

VCA says “don’t wait to have your dog examined if you notice any of the following signs,” and its list includes decreased activity or sleeping more than usual, incontinence, and a noticeable decrease in vision.

The AKC says “It’s not uncommon to write off changed behavior as “old age,” but don’t be so quick to assume that’s just it.” VCA says “While it is true that old age is not a disease, older dogs do need special attention so you can recognize signs of disease early and get treatment as soon as possible.” The AKC says “Please note that it is imperative to get a full and accurate evaluation by your veterinarian or veterinary neurologist to rule out other medical issues (such as a brain tumor).” For signs that cannot wait, read about when a pet needs immediate veterinary care.

FAQ

How often should a senior dog see a veterinarian?

VCA says “Health changes can be subtle, so having your dog examined by a veterinarian at least twice a year is recommended.” The AKC says Dr. Sarah Crain “recommends scheduling senior dog veterinarian visits once or twice a year.”

What else looks like cognitive dysfunction syndrome?

Ohio State says “Behavioral problems that look like CDS may include generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, fear-related aggression, pain-related aggression, noise or storm phobias, lack of housetraining, attention-seeking behaviors, and compulsive disorders.”

Sources

• VCA Animal Hospitals, Senior Dog Care: Special Considerations
• American Kennel Club, Recognizing Behavioral Changes in Senior Dogs
• American Kennel Club, How Do You Know When Your Dog Is a Senior?
• Ohio State Indoor Pet Initiative, Sensory Decline in Aging Dogs
• Ohio State Indoor Pet Initiative, Musculoskeletal Changes in Older Dogs
• Ohio State Indoor Pet Initiative, Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cognitive dysfunction syndrome