8 year old pug- change in food or old age?

My 8 year old pug has always been a light sleeper. We changed his food to grain free in June and he seemed to tolerate it very well. We moved twice this summer to which he adjusted very well, but still it was a pretty big change. Now we are settled in the new place and he's not his usual spunky/lazy self.

Where he usually will bark like crazy when he hears someone outside the door, he doesnt even notice anymore. Today I opened the door, walked in the foyer and stood there until he noticed me, THEN he barked lol. I think his hearing may be going. When he's snoozing next to us and I call his name, he doesnt wake up like he used to - sometimes I have to touch him to wake up.

He's also way less playful and sleeps all the time. He hasnt lost weight but he's just less robust as he was before.

Do you think it could be related to the food? He ate his other food for 7 years with no problems and I was very nervous about switching to grain free. Or could it just be that he's getting old?

Message edited 10/13/2012 3:59:36 PM.

8 year old pug- change in food or old age?

It could be a combo of things. Moves are stressful for animals. Darwin has moved twice in his life and the first time he was miserable. I would come home and he would have thrown up multiple times and gone #2 in the house. The vet said there was absolutely nothing wrong with him... it was probably a month or two before he was back to himself. When we moved into the house he was a little better but now whenever he sees boxes or we start to move things around he just doesn't know what to do with himself and then he just crashes for a few days. Even the little work we have been doing on the nursery has him acting strange. It's like he knows something is happening.

The grain free food could have affected his weight and as dogs get older they do generally slow down so that could be a big part of it. Plus you have a lot going on right now. Did you bring all of the stuff from your shower into the house already?? That would cause Darwin to go into a state of depression for at least a week. After my bridal shower he inspected each and every box, barked at things, wouldn't settle down and then slept for 3 days.

8 year old pug- change in food or old age?

He usually gets all excited with new stuff. We brought the shower stuff in and built the cribs but he rarely goes in there- he just snoozes wherever we are. Meredith thinks his hearing is going and he's just old and getting lazier which makes sense. The moves were hard on him, I know, but he never displayed any issues after them besides not knowing which way to turn out the front door, which he figured out after a week :)

Re: 8 year old pug- change in food or old age?

Our pug is the same age and also acting like that when it comes to more sleep and less play the barking on the other hand lord help me!! I wish he was going deaf and blind Kidding. He might be losing his earing. Have you bought him to the vet to get him check out? We have Otis on Innova which we just switched him to there senior formula he could lose a few pounds that is why we switched him. Good Luck and keep me posted!! I hate when Puggies get old!!!

Re: 8 year old pug- change in food or old age?

The vet wants to see him to rule out an ear infection bc he said 8 is a little young to start going deaf.

Re: 8 year old pug- change in food or old age?

Posted by cateyemm

The vet wants to see him to rule out an ear infection bc he said 8 is a little young to start going deaf.

Re: 8 year old pug- change in food or old age?

Posted by MandJZ

Posted by cateyemm

The vet wants to see him to rule out an ear infection bc he said 8 is a little young to start going deaf.

Is it too young for selective hearing

Jokinggg, sending positive thoughts to Joey-boo!

Message edited 10/13/2012 4:00:09 PM.