6 Ways to Help Your Old Dog Feel Young

By John Gilpatrick

When your dog starts to get up there in age, he slows down. Maybe he withdraws a bit. He might put on some weight—or lose some, depending on his eating and exercise habits and his health status.

The age at which “adult dogs” become “senior dogs” varies from breed to breed, and certainly some individuals will start to show the signs of age sooner or later than others. According to Molly Sumner, a New Jersey-based certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, many smaller breeds can live to 15 years and generally start to show their age between 9 and 11 years. Larger breeds have shorter life spans. They might live to just 8 or 10 years, and therefore, they become “senior” as early as 6 years old.

Regardless of age, as the dog’s caretaker, you owe it to him to make his golden years comfortable, healthy, and full of delight.

Follow these six tips to help your older dog feel young.