I have a 15 year old pooch who sleeps a lot now (he no longer plays with his toys). Is it because he is getting older?

Holy shit, he’s 105 in dog years. I’d sleep a lot too. He’s fine as long as everything else works.

yes.

I was worried that maybe he was depressed (I don’t know??).

Thanks.

Well….duh! Being humorous not sarcastic :-)

My 15 year old cat spent the last year of his life sleeping about 22 hours a day. Sure, aging is naturally going to slow every creature down. As long as he is still enjoying a decent quality of life, no serious health issues, enjoys his food, affection, attention, that’s as good as it gets, spoil him rotten and cherish his coming end of life.

I have a 13 year old goose that is going blind, I plan on bringing him in the house with duck diapers in his ancient age. lol

He’s old and enjoys his naps hanging with you. It’s good that he’s healthy, still. Enjoy these years, he probably doesn’t have a lot left…

A reversal in daytime and night time sleep patterns can be a symptom of dementia in dogs. Our 17 year-old sheltie started sleeping during the day, and pacing around all night.

But if he’s just getting extra sleep, I’d say that’s not worrisome.

@Jude I had a golden that just gave up when the other golden died. She quit eating and started crapping where ever she happened to be laying. It was a rough month. As long as the other stuff is ok just take care of him normally.

I hope that I didn’t come off as daft. I thought that maybe he could be bummed because of his limited vision, hearing and mobility. He used to go nuts over his squeaky toys and now he couldn’t be bothered.

I have to clap loudly to get his attention, he has cataracts, and his hips are going. Poor old boy.

Love him up good…

@JilltheTooth I do!

Perfectly normal for a geriatric dog.

There are three “functions” to be aware of:

Eating
Pooping and peeing
Socializing

If all three are still happening, you’re good. When one goes, it’s cause for concern, and time to start questioning quality of life. But less energy, not wanting to play with toys, and more sleeping are all very normal for a dog that age. My 11 yr old lab sleeps at least 20 hours a day now! Sometimes more!

Old dogs are like old people. Older age makes all of us want to sleep more. Check out the nursing homes around 3 pm and see all the older folks asleep in their wheelchairs.

Dogs are the same and its normal.

Does you dog need a wheelchair?

Be thankful you still have him and enjoy each waking moment together.

When he is gone, it will be a hurt like you have never had before. I just went through this with my border collie of 12 years.

I notice one of my cats has been doing a lot more sleeping and lazing around over the last year or so. They’re 13. I think it’s normal.

Your dog is about 105 in doggie years. I’m only 69 ( almost ) and I love to nap too! : D

He is wearing out. Give him lots of love while you have him.

@Coloma I would love to see a picture of a goose with diapers. I can only think of a reverse Donald Duck, lol

OH! And on topic, I notice that I sleep alot during winter, maybe it’s just him getting winter lazy? Alot of animals get sluggish in the winter, biological clock and all that mess.

My 3 yr old dog likes toys, but loves sleepin.
Your pup is doing great. Enjoy each day!

He’s fine. My dog used to run everywhere and go nnuts over everything. Later, though, he couldn’t even walk down the 4 steps from our deck to the yard so he could pee or poop. They just get slowish and, like humans, can get arthritis, so maybe he doesn’t move much anymore for that? Not sure, but don’t worry, your dog’s fine:)

From what I know, as long as a animal shows an interest in food, they are ok. Eating is a primal instinct, and if an animal begins to have labor while eating, THEN you worry.

He still tries to sneak the kitty food. Polishes off a bowl when he can. :)

Sounds perfectly normal. All the OAP dogs I have ever known have got to the point where they sleep a lot and don’t play so much. he sounds healthy and happy from your description though.

Sounds normal to me too. Most elderly people don’t have a ton of energy for physical activity either. As long as he’s getting a little exercise a day, I wouldn’t worry too much about him. He might be a little sad, just like people can be, but really, just spend time with him, take him outside and, like @JilltheTooth said, love him up good :)

I let him out an hour ago and he was ripping around the backyard chasing the cat. Chest down to the ground/bum up in the air. He wanted to play!