Common Old Dog Health Problems

This page gives an index of some common old dog health problems, symptoms of such old dog health issues, and where appropriate, links to our pages on natural remedies for such health problems.

As our dogs get older, it is more likely that they develop various old dog health problems. As dog parents, we have to keep a close watch on any changes, both physical and behavioral, that our aging dogs may exhibit since these changes often indicate that our dogs are developing some form of health problems.

As a quick index, the more common old dog health problems and the signs of these problems are listed in the following table.

Please also visit these pages for information on:

Old Dog Health Problems and Symptoms

Possible Causes or Illnesses	Symptoms	Natural Remedies
Arthritis	Walking with a limp Afraid to be touched Stiffness, especially after rest Difficulty in climbing stairs Swelling/tenderness in limb or spine Lethargy Irritability	dog arthritis natural remedies dog arthritis glucosamine MSM for dogs
Bladder Stones	Frequent urination with small quantities Bloody urine Discomfort and straining while urinating "Dribbling urine"	dog bladder stones natural remedies
Cancer	Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow Sores that do not heal Weight loss Loss of appetite Bleeding or discharge from any body opening Offensive odor Difficulty eating or swallowing Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina Persistent lameness or stiffness Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating	herbs for cancer in dogs dog cancer diet
Cataracts	Cloudy eyes Vision loss - may bump into objects	natural dog cataract remedies
Cognitive dysfunction	Sleeping a lot, especially during daytime Loss of appetite Lethargy, reluctance to play Eliminating in inappropriate places in the house Staring at the wall or into space Restlessness, e.g. pacing, wandering around aimlessly. Aggression even towards family members and friends Disorientation - may appear lost or confused in familiar place Fails to respond to own name or learned commands
Dental and Gum Problems	Bad breath Swollen or bloody gums Difficulty eating or swallowing Excessive drooling Weight loss	herbal remedies for peridontal disease in dogs
Diabetes	Increased drinking Increased frequency of urination Dull, poor hair coat Listlessness Increased appetite Vomiting Weight loss despite a large appetite may also occur	herbs and supplements for dog diabetes
Gastrointestinal problems	Vomiting Diarrhea Chronic constipation Appetite loss Black, tar-like stool Bloody stool	dog vomiting natural remedies dog diarrhea herbal remedies dog constipation remedies
Heart Failure	Unproductive coughing, especially during the night or first thing in the morning Difficulty breathing; increased panting and puffing General fatigue and lethargy Intolerance of exercise Appetite and weight loss Fainting Swollen abdomen due to fluid buildup Grey or bluish gums	natural remedies for dog heart problems
Hypothyroidism	Weight gain (without appetite increase) High blood cholesterol Lethargy and mental dullness Intolerance of exercise Intolerance of cold temperatures Dry hair Excessive shedding/hair loss Dry skin - more prone to infections and itchiness	dog hypothyroidism herbal remedies
Kidney disease	Increased thirst Frequent urination with large quantities of pale urine Poor appetite Weight loss Nausea Constipation Lethargy Fatigue Bad breath Mouth ulcers (in later critical stage)	natural remedies for kidney failure
Liver disease	Vomiting Appetite loss Yellow or pale gums Behavioral changes	natural remedies for dog liver health
Obesity	Overweight Inactivity / Lethargy Difficulty walking or getting up	herbal remedies for dog obesity
Prostate disease (for male dogs)	House soiling Bloody urine Dribbling urine	natural dog prostate remedies
Seizures	Muscle contractions Loss of motor control Fainting Loss of bladder or bowel control	natural remedies for dog seizures
Urinary Incontinence	Loss of bladder control Urination in inappropriate places	natural remedies for dog incontinence

You may have heard about resveratrol and its anti-aging effects on people.
How about giving resveratrol to our aging dogs? Will it be effective?
Visit our page on Resveratrol Benefits for Dogs to find out more!