Toys for senior dogs

When is a dog a senior?

The AVMA suggests calling a dog senior once they reach the last 25 percent of their breed's expected life span. Bigger dogs get there sooner.^[1]

• Small and toy breeds: around 8 to 11 years.^[1]
• Medium breeds: around 8 to 10 years.^[1]
• Large breeds: around 8 to 9 years.^[1]
• Giant breeds: around 6 to 7 years.^[1]

Why older dogs still need play

Keeping senior dogs active with the right kind of exercise helps them stay healthier and more mobile, and interaction helps keep them mentally active. The ASPCA puts it plainly: keep playing with, exercising, and training your dog throughout their life.^[1],[2]

Older dogs can still learn new tricks. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center compares food puzzles to the crosswords and jigsaws at a senior center: they work the mind and the nose.^[3]

Toys for aging teeth

Dental disease is very common in dogs: VCA vets say over 80 percent of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease. Dogs with dental disease may chew with obvious discomfort, so older mouths need softer toys.^[7]

• Go softer. Very hard chew toys can damage teeth. Press your thumbnail into the toy: if you can't leave a dent, it's too hard.^[12],[11]
• Skip the hard stuff. Bones, antlers, rocks, and sticks can break teeth.^[11]
• Let the food do the work. A soft rubber toy stuffed with food or a snuffle toy gives an older dog something to work at without hard chewing.^[3],[2]

Gentle games for stiff joints

Arthritis often shows up as stiffness, trouble with stairs or jumping onto the couch, and less interest in walking, running, or playing.^[5],[1]

• Skip the long throws. VCA vets advise against ball and frisbee throwing for dogs with arthritis: the take-off, high-speed running, twisting, and sudden stops are hard on stiff joints. Roll a toy a short way instead, or hide it.^[6]
• Short and often. For walks, VCA suggests starting with about 10 minutes, three times a day, rather than one long outing. We keep play sessions short too, and stop while your dog is still keen.^[6]
• Mind the floor. Avoid slippery, angled, or bumpy surfaces, and use non-slip rugs where your dog plays.^[6],[5]
• Let the nose do the running. Scent games need no running or jumping. Cornell notes that dogs as old as 16 and 17 compete in scent work.^[3]

Adapting for weaker sight or hearing

It's normal for dogs to lose some sight and hearing as they age, and hearing loss is usually gradual, so it can be hard to notice. A dog who is losing their sight can still keep up their favorite activities with some adjustments.^[1],[9],[10]

• Glow and noise. Cornell suggests balls that glow and make noise to help make up for vision and hearing loss.^[3]
• Use the nose. Food puzzles and hide-and-seek with treats let a dog play by smell.^[3]
• For dogs losing their sight: Keep the furniture where it is so they can rely on their mental map, and make some noise as you approach.^[10]
• For dogs losing their hearing: Teach hand signals, rely on visual play, and don't sneak up on them. A firm foot tap nearby can wake a sleeping dog without startling them.^[9]

Keeping toy time safe

• Size it right. Pick a toy that's too big to swallow or fit whole in the mouth, but not so big your dog can't carry or chew it comfortably.^[12]
• Supervise plush and squeakers. Squeakers and stuffing can be swallowed and cause a blockage, so use soft toys with you around.^[12]
• A couple of toys at a time. Offering one or two toys instead of a full basket makes it easier to spot missing pieces. Check toys often for wear and toss damaged ones.^[12]

When to see the vet

Pain from arthritis, dental disease, or failing sight or hearing can make an older dog more sensitive and irritable. Report every change to your vet, and don't assume your dog is just getting old.^[2]