Canine Behaviour in Mind; Applying Behavioural Science to Our Lives with Dogs by Suzanne Rogers

Author:Suzanne Rogers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 5m Books
Published: 2022-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Ensuring older dogs have good quality rest and sleep

As already mentioned, good quality rest and sleep are essential for the welfare of all dogs, and because there are a several reasons why older dogs might struggle with this we need to do our best to maximise their chances of having good quality rest and sleep.

Ideally, older dogs should have access to a choice of comfy beds in different locations around the home. Ageing is associated with several changes including skin thinning and fat loss, which means that older dogs are at risk of developing pressure sores if they sit or lie on hard surfaces for any length of time. It is important to provide beds that are well-padded and supportive (for example, made from memory foam), to minimise the risk of them developing pressure sores. It is also important to check an older dog for pressure sores regularly: these are most common over prominent bony areas including the elbows and hip bones. If found it is important to seek help from your vet as they can be painful and can easily become infected.

In addition to being comfortable and supportive, it is important that beds are easy for your dog to get into and out of, and large enough for them to lie out flat if they wish (Figure 6.4). Some dogs prefer beds with raised sides as this may help them feel more snug and secure, but these should ideally also be large enough to allow the dog to lay flat if they wish. If your dog appears to prefer curling up in a smaller bed, they should also have access to a comfy flat bed in case they want to stretch out. For older dogs with incontinence problems, having a waterproof layer under a removable, washable cover can protect the bed from too much damage.

Figure 6.4: A large memory foam bed is supportive and allows an elderly dog to lie flat if they wish. Photo: © Rosie Bescoby. A recent study demonstrated that giving pain relief to dogs with osteoarthritis significantly improved the amount and quality of their sleep.5 Dogs with medical conditions that are likely to be associated with chronic pain should therefore be receiving adequate pain relief, not just to improve their comfort and mobility in the daytime but also to improve the quality of their sleep.

Older dogs are not as good at regulating their body temperatures and so they can easily become cold. Their sleeping area should be kept warm especially overnight in the winter – electrically heated beds or heating pads inside their normal bed may be welcomed. For the same reason older dogs may need to wear a fleece or coat outside the home, especially when it is cold and wet, and if it is particularly cold they may benefit from wearing a comfy fleece coat indoors as well (Figure 6.5).

Figure 6.5: Elderly dog wearing a warm fleece and Help ‘Em Up harness. Photo: © Daniel Thompson. Keeping older dogs more active, both mentally

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