Do old dogs go away to die?
No – old dogs will not purposefully leave you in order to die alone. While many owners have observed the pattern of their senior dog wandering off and later being found dead, the dog does not intend to leave like this.
In order to understand why old dogs run away, let’s look at the different health problems an aging dog will experience. Even with the best supplements for senior dogs, we cannot stop or reverse aging in our canine companions.
A very old dog:
- Has often lost the ability to see and hear – if not completely, those senses are at least decreased
- Can experience confusion caused by canine dementia. He might be pacing, panting or look “lost” even though he is in his own home
- Has lost the ability to know where he is and how to get home
- Is unable to jump up anymore and will require a specialized dog ramp to get in your car or on the couch
While younger dogs that run away usually find their way back home, an old dog is not able to. If the owners do not find him in time, he will become dehydrated and weak and – sadly – pass away.
If your old dog wanders off, it is never a sign that he wants to “die alone”. Rather, you need to confine him to a safe and secure area from which he cannot escape. He is likely not strong enough to survive several nights away from home.