Visible symptoms of dog's old age 

Getting older is a slow process for the dog, and changes tend to be gradual. We'll see that in each his hair changes, it will be paler; for instance, the golden retriever turns almost white, while his black mates turn paler around the snout with some silver white hairs. Maybe you'll notice a decrease in his activity. His teeth, after so much use, can show signs of deterioration, and the dog could be not to ready to chew, as he was when younger. Obesity is a common symptom of getting older, cause activity decreases, even if he receives the same amount of food as when he was a young dog. Obesity can cause and worsen other problems like osteoarthrosis (a lost of the cartilage that covers some articulations). It could also affect senses, being the most common a decreasing in sight. Deafness is also common, but sometimes owners associate it with stubbornness and disobedience, caused by age. However, dogs are adaptable by nature, and a completely blind dog can live, without hurting himself, in familiar surroundings. Diarrhea can also affect old dogs, as the tone of intestines decline, which can be solved giving him mineral oil. In some cases, absorption mechanisms in the intestine start to fail, feces get more liquid, and diarrhea appears. The urine incontinence, usually associated with renal disturbances, can also be part of getting older, and treatment could be sometimes complicated.

What can I do if my dog loses his teeth?