Grey Paws and All

  Making medical decisions for a senior dog can feel incredibly stressful. Even when something is routine, there’s often a layer of worry — wondering if you’re making the right choice, or what the risks might be. That kind of responsibility can feel heavy. Anesthesia is riskier for animals than humans, and when dealing with a senior dog the risk is greater. Having said that, I don't recommend you refuse any procedure that requires anesthesia outright. The best thing to do is have a face to face meeting with your vet. Have him explain what the operation is for, how it will help, pros and cons of doing it versus not doing it, and how to reduce the risk of something happening during the surgery. Only then can you make an informed decision. The picture above is when my 13 year old dog Jack had dental surgery. Of course going under anesthesia was always a concern for me with all my dogs, but I have a great vet I trust and they all did well.  I have confronted this fear on...

When your dog starts slipping on the floor, it can be more than just a practical concern.  It’s often one of those moments that makes you realize things are changing — and that awareness can feel heavier than expected.  You just want them to feel safe and comfortable in their own home. If your dog is having trouble getting traction on your floors, things like yoga mats, area rugs, interlocking foam mats and cutting the fur on his paws can make all the difference. *There are affiliate links in this post, so if you make a purchase I may receive a small commission. This does not change the price you pay, but does help me continue bringing you helpful content.* It’s not uncommon for dogs of all ages and sizes to slip on some types of flooring. Tile, laminate, vinyl and hardwood are examples of surfaces hard to gain traction on. With older dogs more prone to mobility issues, getting a grip can be even more of a challenge.  Why Your Senior Dog is Slipping on the Floor Your dog’...

Sometimes the changes are subtle at first.  You might notice your dog seems a little more confused, a little less like themselves, or doing things that don’t quite make sense. It can leave you wondering what’s normal aging and what might be something more.  Those questions can be hard to sit with on your own. Many of the signs of dementia can be explained by other health issues. For example, a dementia dog can forget his housetraining and pee inside, but that could also happen if a dog has a urinary tract infection, kidney disease or diabetes and can’t get outside fast enough or often enough. That’s why I created this checklist! This alone does not prove your dog has dementia, but it will go a long way to helping your vet make a diagnosis. In addition to bringing this with you to your appointment, it’s also helpful to make a list of all the changes in behavior you’ve been noticing. Even something you don’t think is worth mentioning, is worth mentioning. Try and note when it st...

There's a difference between a puppy nipping because he hasn't learned bite control yet, a dog aggressively going after someone and biting them, and an old dog that bites due to stress, anxiety, pain or vision loss. If your senior dog suddenly starts biting, I highly recommend you schedule a vet visit as soon as possible. Your dog could be lashing out due to pain, be scared because of vision and/or hearing loss or feeling anxious due to something like dementia for example. Is It Ever Time to Get Rid of a Dog That Bites? Sadly there are times when that is the only choice left. Biting needs to be taken seriously, but it also doesn't mean that should be the first and only decision you make. Every dog is different and so is every situation, and while the reason is often a lack of training, in this article we're going to be discussing why a senior dog may bite and what you can do about it. My Experience Living with a Dog That Bites Several years ago we adopted a dog named Ja...

It’s a pretty common problem to see senior dogs waking up in the middle of the night, or spending their nights pacing and restless. Not only is it rough on our dogs, it’s also rough on us when we lose sleep, affecting mood and the ability to function well. There are several reasons why your senior dog is restless at night. He or she may be in some pain or discomfort due to an illness or joint problems, a medical condition or medication is causing excessive peeing, or cognitive issues like dementia are responsible. *There are affiliate links in this post, which means if you make a purchase I may receive a small commission. This has no effect on the price you pay.* Why Your Senior Dog is Restless at Night Before we get into the reasons and what you can do to help, I want to ask if your dog has been to the vet recently for a check-up? If he has, I’m assuming any medical condition has been diagnosed, and a treatment plan put forward. If that’s the case, the restlessness is likely continuin...