Caring for your senior guide dog

As with people, dogs will begin to slow down with age, so it’s good to know how to care for your older guide dog. As our dogs grow older, we all want to ensure that they’re happy and have a great quality of life. Most of the breeds we use at Guide Dogs, including the Labrador, German shepherd, golden retriever and a selection of crossbreeds, start the ageing process at around eight years of age. 

Here are some ways to care for your older guide dog to keep them happy, comfortable, and healthy in their senior years.

Feed your older dog a healthy diet 

As dogs get older their dietary requirements can change. In old age, dogs tend to be less active and have lower energy needs, which can potentially lead to weight gain. Excess weight and obesity can lead to heart disease and can also contribute to problems with joints, such as arthritis. 

To help keep your guide dog at the right weight and ensure your dog’s diet is healthy, always stick to the recommended food and daily quantities suggested to you by your Dog Health and Wellbeing Specialist. We suggest giving your dog their daily amount over several smaller meals instead of two meals a day. This will reduce their internal workload and ensure they don’t have to digest a large meal in one go.

If you notice any changes in your dog's weight, get in touch with your Dog Health and Wellbeing Specialist via Guide Line as soon as possible. Your dog may need an adjustment to their diet to keep them healthy.

Ensure your older dog is hydrated

It’s important to always provide your guide dog with fresh water. Dogs fed on dry food tend to drink more than those fed moist food and many dogs drink more in hot weather. If you see any change in the amount of water your dog drinks, contact Guide Line. We may suggest measuring your dog's water intake over a 24-hour period; then take your dog to the vet to discuss if any investigations are needed. 

Continue daily exercise to keep your older dog active

Keep your dog healthy with regular exercise which helps to maintain muscle tone and healthy joints. Exercise will also help to prevent them from becoming overweight and maintain mental stimulation. Here are a few tips to consider when exercising your dog:

• Your older dog may start to struggle with going up steps, stairs, and jumping into cars. If your guide dog is showing signs of stiffness or discomfort at any time, contact Guide Line as they may need to be examined by a vet.
• Older dogs may show signs of stiffness following vigorous exercise, such as time off the lead. Monitor this and introduce a gentler mix of exercise if required.
• Dogs that have the same amount of exercise daily tend to maintain mobility and show fewer symptoms than dogs who have varying amounts daily. So, we’d advise you to keep your dog’s exercise moderate and consistent - this applies to both working with your guide dog, as well as their off-lead exercise.
• Your dog may develop some level of hearing loss as they get older. This can mean that they may not be as good with recall as they used to be, and may also begin to be less responsive to noises of traffic. Consider safe places for off-lead exercise, and take extra caution when approaching and crossing roads.

• Older dogs are more likely to be vulnerable to extreme weather - both hot and cold. Bear this in mind for the comfort of your dog when venturing outdoors.

• Finally, we'd recommend avoiding fetch and chasing games as these activities can put strain on your older dog's joints. Instead, snuffle mats and mind puzzles are fantastic activities to keep your guide dog active.

Keep your ageing dog comfortable

Provide your dog with a warm, draught-free and quiet place to rest. Older dogs tend to sleep more and need a quiet area away from the noise, children, and other pets to rest. You may also wish to provide extra padding or blankets to keep them comfy. If your dog doesn’t get up to greet guests as much, please leave them undisturbed in their bed to rest. You may also wish to put non-slip matting on any hard floors to help ensure your dog doesn't slip and injure themselves.

Monitor your dog for signs of discomfort, or changes in their behaviour or body language. If you notice a change in your guide dog, contact your Dog Health and Wellbeing Specialist via Guide Line.

Groom your senior dog regularly 

As your guide dog ages, they may not groom themselves as well or as much as they used to, so daily grooming is important to keep your dog’s skin and coat in good condition. Regular grooming will aid blood circulation and give you the opportunity to check for any lumps or irregularities. If you do find any lumps, monitor them for any changes in shape or size and contact Guide Line for advice.

Take care of your senior dog’s oral health 

Dental care and regular oral health checks are important as your dog gets older to keep their mouth and teeth comfortable and healthy. Possible signs of dental disease or health issues are:

• Excessive salivation
• Foul-smelling breath
• Difficulty eating
• Pawing at the mouth

If you do notice any of these signs, contact Guide Line and book an appointment with your local vet. Your vet will recommend any required treatment and the best ways to look after your dog's teeth. 

Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth helps promote good dental health. You can also provide your dog with specialised toys that are designed to clean your dog’s teeth and help dogs prevent plaque build-up.

Veterinary care and health checks for older guide dogs

When your guide dog is over nine years of age, their health checks will increase from every six months to every three months. Don’t hesitate to speak to your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s health in between regular appointments, for example if they experience any sudden weight loss. 

Retirement of your guide dog

You should carefully consider what is best for your guide dog ahead of their retirement. While many guide dogs retire between ten and eleven years old, this is very much dependent on the dog’s needs and individual health and wellbeing. We’ll always make sure the decision is in the best interest of your dog.

The main issue to consider is that ageing dogs need extra care and attention and can develop new health problems. You will need to think about what will be manageable for you, especially if you have a new working and younger dog in your home.

Remember, keeping a retired dog is not necessarily the best decision for everyone or every dog. If the right decision for you and your dog is to allow them to go into a new home, rest assured we’ll support you through the process and make sure your dog is rehomed to a suitable, comfortable, and loving place.

What to do if you have concerns about your older guide dog 

Our Dog Health and Wellbeing Teams will advise you on dog care and suitability to continue work at all stages of a guide dog’s life. We increase the frequency of these checks as your dog’s age increases. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your older guide dog, please contact Guide Line on 0800 781 1444 - we’re here to help. Contact the emergency line on 0345 143 0217 if anything happens out of office hours.