Ageing canine companions: Most common manifestations and the impact of selected factors

Dissecting the Science

Vajányi, D., Skurková, L., Peťková, B., Kottferová, L., Kasičová, Z., Simanová, V. and Kottferová, J., 2024. Ageing canine companions: Most common manifestations and the impact of selected factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 271, p.106164.
How does aging impact welfare and what are the signs? Study objectives: (1) to identify indicators of ageing and their manifestations observed by the owners (2) to investigate whether sex, castration/neutering, weight of the dog, and type of housing (outdoor/indoor) have an impact on the ageing process. The rate at which individual dogs show obvious signs of ageing is influenced by many factors, including breed, size, genetic makeup, lifetime injuries and diseases, and nutritional status Considering all breeds together, the average lifespan of domestic dogs is 12.71 years. As dog size decreases, the average lifespan increases (Montoya et al., 2023). Body size significantly affects the length of canine life (Patronek et al., 1997, Deeb and Wolf, 1994). Body size and longevity in dogs have a strong negative correlation (Galis et al., 2007). Large breeds of dogs have a shorter life cycle (dogs weighing ≥ 22.7 kg) and should probably be classified as mature when they are 6–8 years old and as geriatric when they are 9 years or older. Both dogs of medium and small breeds (dogs with an adult body weight <22.7 kg) can be classified as mature when they are 7–10 years old and as geriatric when they are 11 years or older (Bellows et al., 2015). Age limits were set on the basis of previous research standards (Chen et al., 2023). Methods This study was conducted using a survey called the "Questionnaire for the Assessment of Behavioural Changes in Ageing Dogs." Initially, the questionnaire was distributed to 20 dog owners The survey questionnaire consisted of 41 questions that assessed various aspects of changes due to ageing in dogs. The main questionnaire was open to receiving responses between November 1st, 2020, and March 1st, 2022. The first part of the questionnaire included questions about the dog's age, sex, size, reproductive status, and purpose of breeding. They did not include breed as a criterion because there were 39 breeds represented in the questionnaire, as well as 211 crossbreeds. As a result, they inquired about the dog's weight with the owners. Dogs were classified based on weight as dwarf breeds (under 5 kg), small size (5–10 kg), medium size (10–25 kg), and large size (more than 25 kg) dogs. The only inclusive criterion was age (> 8 years old). They grouped aged dogs into three categories: category under 10 years (n = 239), category of dogs from 10 to 11.5 years (n = 274), and category over 11.5 years up to 20 years (n = 239) old dogs. Dog owners responded in writing to questions about the different aspects of their dog's aging. Owners were asked to indicate changes in their dogs' current behaviour in comparison to behaviour in their youth or to indicate any changes observed in the previous six months. The majority of survey questions were analysed using descriptive statistical methods. In the second part of the work, they statistically analysed contigency tables (for every question one table prepared) with factors age, sex, neutered or intact status, body size and type of housing. Our goal is to indicate which factors influence the manifestations of ageing in dogs. Results The usual age-related changes in dogs manifest through alterations in behaviour, appearance, and daily activities - observations that pet owners frequently notice. Therefore, aging manifestations in dogs (observed by their owners) were divided into 3 categories: (a) physical appearance (skin and hair changes), (b) physiological/daily functions (gastrointestinal: hyperphagia, fluid intake, metabolic changes; changes in urination, respiration, sensoric changes (eyesight, hearing, etc.)), and (c) behavioural and cognitive functions (sleep cycle, stereotypic behaviour, social contact, level of activity, responding to commands, recognising people, aggressive behaviour, confusion, difficulties with learning new tasks, house soiling, etc.). Conclusion In conclusion, as older dogs are often regarded as cherished family members, their owners strive to provide them with optimal care. Therefore, veterinarians must possess a comprehensive understanding of the typical age-related changes and the natural ageing process in dogs. They should also be adept at identifying behavioural abnormalities that may arise with age. The objective of this study was to examine some of the prevalent changes reported by dog owners, shed light on important aspects of canine ageing, and aid veterinarians in providing informed guidance to owners of older dogs. The results did not indicate a higher prevalence of ageing signs in male dogs compared to females, nor did they reveal a correlation between housing type (pen/yard vs. apartment/house) and the manifestation of ageing signs. For dogs kept indoors, owners noticed more behavioural changes compared to dogs kept outdoors, like more frequent observations of changes in urination, sleep patterns, and behaviour. The results show that with age but also with castration, the overall weight of dogs increases. With neutering, changes in weight are significant, up to twice as much weight gain compared to the group of intact dogs, and subsequently, difficulties with the locomotor system were more frequent. The larger the dog's breed (weight), the more frequent the movement problems it had.

Vajányi, D., Skurková, L., Peťková, B., Kottferová, L., Kasičová, Z., Simanová, V. and Kottferová, J., 2024. Ageing canine companions: Most common manifestations and the impact of selected factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 271, p.106164.

How does aging impact welfare and what are the signs?

Study objectives:
(1) to identify indicators of ageing and their manifestations observed by the owners

(2) to investigate whether sex, castration/neutering, weight of the dog, and type of housing (outdoor/indoor) have an impact on the ageing process.

The rate at which individual dogs show obvious signs of ageing is influenced by many factors, including breed, size, genetic makeup, lifetime injuries and diseases, and nutritional status

Considering all breeds together, the average lifespan of domestic dogs is 12.71 years. As dog size decreases, the average lifespan increases (Montoya et al., 2023). Body size significantly affects the length of canine life (Patronek et al., 1997, Deeb and Wolf, 1994). Body size and longevity in dogs have a strong negative correlation (Galis et al., 2007).

Large breeds of dogs have a shorter life cycle (dogs weighing ≥ 22.7 kg) and should probably be classified as mature when they are 6–8 years old and as geriatric when they are 9 years or older. Both dogs of medium and small breeds (dogs with an adult body weight <22.7 kg) can be classified as mature when they are 7–10 years old and as geriatric when they are 11 years or older (Bellows et al., 2015). Age limits were set on the basis of previous research standards (Chen et al., 2023).

Methods

This study was conducted using a survey called the "Questionnaire for the Assessment of Behavioural Changes in Ageing Dogs." Initially, the questionnaire was distributed to 20 dog owners

The survey questionnaire consisted of 41 questions that assessed various aspects of changes due to ageing in dogs. The main questionnaire was open to receiving responses between November 1st, 2020, and March 1st, 2022.

The first part of the questionnaire included questions about the dog's age, sex, size, reproductive status, and purpose of breeding. They did not include breed as a criterion because there were 39 breeds represented in the questionnaire, as well as 211 crossbreeds. As a result, they inquired about the dog's weight with the owners. Dogs were classified based on weight as dwarf breeds (under 5 kg), small size (5–10 kg), medium size (10–25 kg), and large size (more than 25 kg) dogs. The only inclusive criterion was age (> 8 years old). They grouped aged dogs into three categories: category under 10 years (n = 239), category of dogs from 10 to 11.5 years (n = 274), and category over 11.5 years up to 20 years (n = 239) old dogs.

Dog owners responded in writing to questions about the different aspects of their dog's aging. Owners were asked to indicate changes in their dogs' current behaviour in comparison to behaviour in their youth or to indicate any changes observed in the previous six months. The majority of survey questions were analysed using descriptive statistical methods. In the second part of the work, they statistically analysed contigency tables (for every question one table prepared) with factors age, sex, neutered or intact status, body size and type of housing. Our goal is to indicate which factors influence the manifestations of ageing in dogs.

Results

The usual age-related changes in dogs manifest through alterations in behaviour, appearance, and daily activities - observations that pet owners frequently notice. Therefore, aging manifestations in dogs (observed by their owners) were divided into 3 categories: (a) physical appearance (skin and hair changes), (b) physiological/daily functions (gastrointestinal: hyperphagia, fluid intake, metabolic changes; changes in urination, respiration, sensoric changes (eyesight, hearing, etc.)), and (c) behavioural and cognitive functions (sleep cycle, stereotypic behaviour, social contact, level of activity, responding to commands, recognising people, aggressive behaviour, confusion, difficulties with learning new tasks, house soiling, etc.).

Conclusion

In conclusion, as older dogs are often regarded as cherished family members, their owners strive to provide them with optimal care. Therefore, veterinarians must possess a comprehensive understanding of the typical age-related changes and the natural ageing process in dogs. They should also be adept at identifying behavioural abnormalities that may arise with age. The objective of this study was to examine some of the prevalent changes reported by dog owners, shed light on important aspects of canine ageing, and aid veterinarians in providing informed guidance to owners of older dogs. The results did not indicate a higher prevalence of ageing signs in male dogs compared to females, nor did they reveal a correlation between housing type (pen/yard vs. apartment/house) and the manifestation of ageing signs. For dogs kept indoors, owners noticed more behavioural changes compared to dogs kept outdoors, like more frequent observations of changes in urination, sleep patterns, and behaviour.

The results show that with age but also with castration, the overall weight of dogs increases. With neutering, changes in weight are significant, up to twice as much weight gain compared to the group of intact dogs, and subsequently, difficulties with the locomotor system were more frequent. The larger the dog's breed (weight), the more frequent the movement problems it had.

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