06/09/2026
Senior dogs & quality of life
🐾 Gentle Conversations with Calmpawz
Is my old dog slowing down… or struggling?
We often put changes in our older dogs down to “just getting old”.
Sleeping more.
Not wanting to walk as far.
Struggling with stairs.
Taking longer to get up.
Becoming restless at night.
Some slowing down is inevitable, but age itself isn’t a disease.
Changes in mobility, appetite, toileting, behaviour or sleep can sometimes indicate pain or an underlying medical problem.
One thing I encourage owners of senior dogs to do is occasionally think about their dog’s quality of life rather than simply their age.
Can they get comfortable?
Can they get up without significant difficulty?
Do they still enjoy their walks — even if they’re shorter?
Are they eating with enthusiasm?
Do they still seek you out and enjoy being part of family life?
Most importantly, do they still have those little moments that tell you they’re enjoying being here?
Growing old doesn’t automatically mean poor quality of life. Many senior dogs have wonderfully happy lives with a few adjustments and the right support.
But recognising when things are becoming difficult allows us to help them sooner — and eventually make compassionate decisions before they reach a crisis.
Our old dogs give us so much.
They deserve a gentle old age too. ❤️🐾
Calmpawz — compassionate veterinary care at home.
