Caring for your senior labrador: health and happiness to the end

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If you’ve welcomed a bouncy Labrador puppy into your life, adopted a middle-aged shelter dog, or made room in your home and heart for a dog of any age, you’ve probably already thought about senior dog care, at least for a moment or two.

If there’s a downside to living with and loving Labradors, or any dog for that matter, it’s that their lives are so short compared to our own. Sharing your life with a dog means loving them and caring for them through every stage of growth and development, from the moment they bounce into your heart, until old age and their eventual death.

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The good news is that dogs, like people, have a longer life expectancy now than ever before. Modern research and technology, advanced veterinary care, and more nutritious food options have enabled our dogs to stay healthy and active well into old age.

While these advancements are welcome and encouraging, the biggest factor in the quality of your dog’s geriatric health is still you. How you care for your senior dog will have a huge impact on their golden years. This article will cover everything you need to know about caring for your senior Labrador.

Contents & Quick Navigation

• 1 How Long Will My Labrador Live?
• 2 How will I know when my Labrador is Getting Old?
• 3 What Kind of Health Problems Affect Older Labradors?
• 4 Signs that Your Senior Labrador May Be Sick
• 5 Keeping your Labrador Healthy and Happy for as Long as Possible
• 6 Grooming Your Older Labrador
• 7 Preparing for Limited Mobility
• 8 Preparing Your Home for Your Older Labrador
• 9 Letting Go

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How Long Will My Labrador Live?

Not so very long ago, as recently as the 1970s, the life expectancy for most dogs was between 6 and 8 years. Today, the average life expectancy for most dogs has risen to between 10 and 18 years. Smaller breeds tend to live longer, and large breeds, like Labradors, have a shorter life span.

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Based on genetics alone, the lifespan of your average Labrador is between 10 and 14 years, but there are various factors that will have an effect on your Labradors’ health as they age.

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