Seniors
Senior Shih Tzu Care Tips
Henri, a 13-year-old senior Shih Tzu, photo courtesy of Linda Mensing Triplett, Amherst MA
Overview
While no one wants to think too much about their Shih Tzu growing old, this is really something that cannot be ignored. As a Shih Tzu transitions from adult to senior, it's important for owners to know what to expect, the type of changes in care that are needed, and which common age-related health issues and ailments that affect senior dogs to keep an eye out for.
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The Age That a Shih Tzu Becomes a Senior
In regard to dogs in general, you would think that something as important as this would be set and documented by canine experts to serve as a guideline for veterinarians and owners alike. However, there is no exact age that canines become seniors. Rather, the declaration of this by a vet is done on a case-by-case basis and is a combination of looking at breed's expected life span and a particular dog's health.
With the Shih Tzu, the average life span is 13 years, though this can range from 12 years to 16 years; for this reason, Shih Tzu dogs are considered to be seniors by the 10 year mark. If a Shih Tzu has certain health issues, the veterinarian may make this declaration a year or two early, at the 8 to 9-year mark.
Note that even if your vet refrains from making this statement, once a Shih Tzu is over the 10 year mark, he or she is a senior regardless. It is, however, important for a vet to make this distinction, since wellness checks will change in regard to both frequency and type of testing (more ahead).
Changes to Expect when a Shih Tzu Becomes a Senior
Many of the changes that you see with senior Shih Tzu dogs are the type that seemingly appear out of nowhere but were actually developing for some time. This includes:
- Decreased hearing
- Decreased vision
- Decreased muscle definition
- Reduced mobility
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Increased sleep
- Decreased (or loss of) bladder and/or bowel control
- Dental issues (including tooth loss, which often leads to trouble eating)
As we dive into this more, we'll cover tips to help with each of these issues.
Wellness Checks for Seniors
Starting at the 1-year mark and throughout a Shih Tzu's adult life to the 9-year mark, wellness visits should be scheduled on a yearly basis. Once a Shih Tzu becomes a senior, this should increase to being seen by the vet twice per year, at 6-month intervals. This sort of visit is often referred to as a geriatric visit.
With seniors, the immune system is not as strong as it used to be and health issues can come on quickly. An examination every 6 months will help ensure that any problems are caught early, for the best possible prognosis.
These checkups include more detailed blood testing, biochemistry profiles, urinalysis testing, and stool testing. Additionally, these may include x-rays and/or ultrasounds since many diseases and issues involving the major organs cannot be detected via blood work.
Top 10 Senior Care Tips for Older Shih Tzu Dogs
Tip #1: Keep your Shih Tzu active.
You may have heard the saying, 'Use it or lose it', and this applies not just to people, but to senior dogs as well. There is, of course, going to be gradual muscle degeneration throughout the senior years and also some level of osteoarthritis (more ahead) that may impede an older Shih Tzu's ability to exercise as they once did; but, these are also the reasons why it's vital that you keep your Shih Tzu moving.
Once you allow a senior dog to become sedentary, it can be difficult to get back to regular exercise. So, don't stop. It's helps keep joints lubricated, can loosen stiffness associated with arthritis, slows age-related muscle atrophy, helps keep the immune system strong, and is good for the heart, among other things.
If there's been an injury, illness, or another reason for your older Shih Tzu's exercise taking a back seat, start things up again slowly, with vet approval.
Maintain the frequency (typically 2 walks per day) and adjust the pace and the duration, as needed.
Tip #2 Address arthritis issues.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the single most common issue seen with senior dogs. In fact, at the young age of just 7 (3 years before the senior years start for this toy breed), 65% of canines have some level of osteoarthritis. By the age of 8, this spikes to a whopping 85%.
A big mistake in caring for a senior Shih Tzu is assuming that the symptoms of arthritis: a general 'slowing down', lethargy, difficulty rising from a down position, morning discomfort, and trouble sleeping, should just be accepted as a normal part of a dog aging. There are a lot
of treatment options to relieve inflammation, stiffness, and pain that goes along with this degenerative disease that eventually can structurally damage bones.
Options include joint supplements (details ahead), providing orthopedic support (details ahead), massage, heat application, and a range of medications including NSAIDs, steriods like prednisone, and Adequan injections.
Tip #3 Offer daily joint supplements.
With osteoarthritis (OA) being so common with senior dogs, certain dietary supplements for joint health should, ideally, be started around the 6-year mark as a preventative method. That said, anytime you can get your Shih Tzu on a daily regimen, even well into the senior years, it is going to help to some degree.
There are a number of supplements that work to counteract (but not cure) the decrease in lubrication in the joints and the wearing down of cartilage that is assocaied with OA . We recommend Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip & Joint Supplement for Dogs
which is a blend of 6 effective ingredients: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, yucca schidigera, CoQ10 (coenzyme q10), and hyaluronic acid (HA).
which is a blend of 6 effective ingredients: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, yucca schidigera, CoQ10 (coenzyme q10), and hyaluronic acid (HA). Tip #4 Provide a warm, supportive bed.
There are a couple of reasons to reassess your senior Shih Tzu's sleeping arrangements. Seniors progressively require more sleep and getting quality sleep is vital for the body to refresh and restore.
Even dogs that sleep in their human's bed at night should have a supportive surface for daytime naps. And, even excellent beds wear down over time; most need to be replaced every 5 years or so.
Having good orthopedic support is vital to relieve pressure points, offer the right type of cushioning for the body, and provide warmth. Side bolsters are also excellent for providing good neck support which can cut down on snoring and other breathing disturbances that can interfere with sleep.
If you are picking out a bed for your senior Shih Tzu, be sure that it has at least a 2-inch thick memory-foam base with sturdy side bolsters. One that we recommend is the K&H Ortho Bolster Sleeper
which has 3-inch medical-grade orthopedic memory-foam, as well as a super-soft micro-fleece cover.
which has 3-inch medical-grade orthopedic memory-foam, as well as a super-soft micro-fleece cover. Tip #5 Be aware of age-related hearing loss.
Senior Shih Tzu dogs typically start having some age-related hearing issues around the age of 13 years old. This can worsen rather quickly; many seniors in their early to mid-teens have significant hearing loss in one or both ears.
Note that canine hearing aides do exist, but at the time of this writing, they are extraordinary expensive, unreliable, are not proven to improve hearing all that much, and are rarely tolerated.
For this reason, there is nothing viable that can reverse this or cure age-related deafness; but, it's good to be aware of this issue in order to make a few changes. Signs that an older dog is having trouble include not responding to their name or to commands and/or being startled when approached.
A vet exam should rule out other issues that can mimic hearing loss, such as ear infections.
To help a senior that's having trouble, you can start to incorporate hand signals along with commands and turn lights on and off before entering rooms. Try to approach your Shih Tzu from the front or side, not the back.
Tip #6 Know about age-related vision issues.
Decreased vision is often part of growing older, however it is important to have any vision issues diagnosed. This is because it can be due to glaucoma, cataracts, or other issues. Depending on the cause, treatment may be able to save a dog's sight and in some cases only quick intervention will do so.
Signs of decreased vision with senior dogs includes: bumping into household objects, possibly appearing disorientated and having trouble finding belongings such as toys and food and water bowls.
Aside from having eyesight problems confirmed, diagnosed and treated by the vet, there are changes you can make at home to help a partially blind dog feel more at ease. Do not rearrange furniture, puppy-proof the house on a daily basis, gate off any dangerous areas such as staircases, stick with familiar walking routes, and when approaching your Shih Tzu do this from the side and at their level.
Tip #7 Give the skin and coat extra attention.
As a Shih Tzu ages, their skin loses strength and elasticity. This can lead to poor skin health and sometimes severe dry skin
that can easily snowball into peeling, cracking, and even skin infections. This goes hand-in-hand with coat health; each often affects the other.
The best thing to do is work on keeping the skin healthy and address any issues right away.
While it's recommended for all ages, be sure to use an extra-gentle shampoo that has a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 with plant-based cleansers (not soaping agents), and no parabens or artificial additives. A product with colloidal oatmeal like Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo
is great.
is great. Be sure to follow up with a wash-out conditioner (left on for at least 5 minutes) (Earthbath makes an oatmeal & aloe conditioner) and then pat the coat dry (do not rub). Air-dry your senior or, if you use a blow-dryer, be sure that the setting is on warm (not hot).
If you notice any trouble areas, massage in a moisturizing cream or balm. A recommend one is ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment
.
. Be sure that your senior Shih Tzu is hydrated enough (you may need to encourage water intake) and if the winter months bring dry air to your location, consider using humidifiers in the wintertime.
Tip #8 Take note of weight changes.
As a Shih Tzu ages into their senior years, there may be some weight changes that should be addressed; and, this can go in either direction.
There can be weight gain. This is often due to less physical activity while appetite remains steady. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital at this time since any extra pounds will put stress on the heart and on bones and joints. If this is the case, consider taking some steps to help your Shih Tzu lose weight.
And opposite to this, there can be weight loss. In some cases, this is can be attributed to side effects of medication or decreased appetite linked to illness. Another common cause is dental issues; either painful tooth infections or severe tooth loss that makes eating difficult. This said, some older dogs simply do not have a robust appetite.
Weight loss should be reported to the veterinarian. Treatment will depend on the cause. You may want to consider making homemade food
for your senior Shih Tzu if they prefer wet food or have trouble eating hard kibble.
Tip #9 Make accommodations for a weakening bladder and/or bowel muscles.
It's common for older dogs to have to go to the bathroom more frequently and/or to have trouble holding their needs due to bladder and/or bowel muscles progressively becoming weaker. If so, this has nothing to do with housebreaking. Senior dogs know the rules, they may just be unable to follow them.
Any sudden changes should be reported to the vet to rule out issues including bladder infection, UTI, kidney disease and more.
Most seniors do best if they are taken outside much more often than their younger counterparts; some as often as every hour and allowed more time take care of business. This should be done with zero expectations.
If a female Shih Tzu has little to no control, placing a doggie diaper on her can really help. And for males, a belly wrap can work well. You will, of course, need to be diligent in washing your dog afterward, but this can help keep messes contained and prevent situations where the lingering scent of urine on floors and carpeting can lead to even more accidents inside.
Tip #10 Pay extra attention to paw and nail care.
The dry skin issues mentioned earlier in tip #7 comes into play with this, often the paws take the brunt of this since they are always in contact with something. Massaging in a good paw wax, and taking the time to get in between the toes and all around the nail beds, as well as the paw pads, can help a great deal. This will also serve to give your older Shih Tzu more traction, which can help prevent slips and slides.
A recommend wax is Musher's Secret Pet Paw Protection Wax
which is excellent for year-round use. This should be applied every 7 days.
which is excellent for year-round use. This should be applied every 7 days. There can also be issues with the nails. As a dog ages, nails can get brittle, causing them to break off or split, which can be very painful. This can be due to issues with nutrient absorption, which is common to a certain extent with seniors and in particular may be linked to vitamin B 12. For this, you can try to add some foods like liver, fish, or eggs into the diet. And, since shorter nails are less prone to breaking off, keep them trimmed down.
If there is scabbing around the nail beds and/or an odd odor, this could point to a skin yeast infection and this should be diagnosed by the veterinarian.
Senior Shih Tzu Q&A
Question:
My Shih Tzu Nikko just turned 15 last month. We've noticed what seems to be some confused behavior. Getting stuck in a corner and acting spacey or maybe as if he isn't sure who we are. Is it possible for dogs to get Alzheimer's and what can we do to help him?
Answer:
Unfortunately, dogs can develop the canine equivalent of dementia, referred to as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Signs vary quite a bit; however, this includes:
- Appearing confused
- Having trouble negotiating around the house
- Not responding to his name and or things that are happening around him
- Acting withdrawn or depressed
- Pacing aimlessly
- Trouble following simple commands that were once understood
- Staring at nothing
- Becoming easily startled
- A decreased desire for interaction
- Changes in eating patterns
Any one or all of these symptoms can also point to other issues, so it will be important to have the veterinarian perform a full evaluation. If it turns out that your Shih Tzu does have CDD, there is an approved medication for this. While it does not cure the disease, it can bring about improvement.
The most popular one is selegiline (brand name Anipryl). It is very similar to Deprenyl, which is used to Parkinson's disease in humans and it is also used to treat Cushing's disease in canines. At the time of this writing, it is the only FDA approved drug to treat canine senility and 70% of dogs have some level of improvement after one month of treatment. At the time of this writing, the price is about $140 for a 1-month supply.
A Final Thought
It's disheartening that our canine family members have such short lives compared to us humans. However, with proper care, a Shih Tzu can have a relatively good life span, living into his or her mid-teens. The most important element is that you are proactive in making sure that your dog's golden years are spent as comfortable as possible.
Related:
How to Help a Shih Tzu Live a Long Life
- There are several elements that, over the course of a dog's life, can make a big difference in both how long they live and quality of life. Start implementing these tips today.
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Shih Tzu Supplies - An organized list of supplies every pet parent should have for their Shih Tzu; this list connects to more detailed articles with tips, advice and specific recommendations. See what your Shih Tzu is missing for optimal health and happiness.
Shih Tzu Dental Care - Oral health is at the top of concern for the Shih Tzu breed and all pet parents should be actively cleaning their Shih Tzu's teeth. See our top tips to keep your little guy or gal's teeth clean, to prevent infections and future tooth loss.
