While dogs and cats are a handful during the puppy and kitten stage, they can be even more work as they age. The older your dog or cat gets, the less active they will become and the more assistance they will require. Dogs and cats are similar to people in that they still think they can do everything they used to do in their younger years. Unfortunately, this can lead to them getting hurt.
In general, senior dogs require more care and attention than senior cats, but they can both use our help. They have more joint and bone issues than cats, but both animals will experience problems of one kind or another. Therefore, regardless of what type of pet you have, it’s important to know what to expect and how to provide the necessary care as they age.
How Does Aging Affect Dogs and Cats?
- When Does the Senior Period Start for Dogs and Cats?
- Tips for Caring for Senior Dogs and Cats
- Final Thoughts
How Does Aging Affect Dogs and Cats?
Aging affects animals the same way that it does humans. While there are exceptions to the rule, dogs and cats become less energetic, less mobile, and more prone to hurting themselves as they age. Dogs and cats are both prone to osteoporosis, arthritis, and pulling joints and muscles as they age.
Because senior animals are less energetic, they’re also more likely to become obese as they age. They will want to eat the same amount of food as normal, but they won’t have the energy to exercise and work off calories. Senior dogs and cats are also more prone to sickness, liver disease, and kidney problems due to their lowered immune system.
When Does the Senior Period Start for Dogs and Cats?
Unlike people who are considered senior citizens when they hit the age of 62, there isn’t a definitive senior citizen age for dogs and cats. This is because aging affects different breeds of dogs and cats in different ways. Medium and large dogs they’re considered seniors at the ages of 8 to 10 because they have shorter lifespans than smaller dogs.
Smaller dogs are considered senior citizens when they approach the age of 10, and cats are similar. However, cats tend to live slightly longer than dogs, so their senior citizen age is closer to 11 or 12.
7 Tips for Caring for Senior Dogs and Cats
While the above rules are general guidelines to live by, you can stave off the effects of aging by listening to the tips and tricks in this article. These tips and tricks will also make life easier for your dog or cat when they’re considered seniors.
Keep Your Dog Active
Rule number one to keeping your dog or cat young is to help them maintain an active lifestyle. While they might not be able to move or run as fast as they used to, you can keep taking them on walks. You should also keep taking your dog to dog parks and finding ways for your cat to interact with other animals to keep them socially active.
A multitude of joint, bone, and muscle issues can be staved off by helping your pet maintain an active lifestyle. Activity will also reduce the risk of obesity.
Alter Your Pets’ Diet
Just as activity reduces the risk of obesity, so will making small changes in your pets’ diet. It might become necessary to reduce the amount of food you give them. It might also be necessary to change out their food for a substitute that’s higher in fiber. Constipation is common in older animals, and an increase in fiber will reduce the need for laxatives.
Bi-Annual Vet Checkups
Most people only take their dogs and cats to the vet once per year or every other year. However, the older they get, the more often they’ll require vet visits. Regular wellness checks from a licensed veterinarian are the best way to detect and prevent problems before they happen. And, because it’s tougher to cure old dogs and cats, preventing problems and diseases is the best option.
Protect Their Teeth
As with humans, dogs and cats start to lose calcium as they age. Calcium is a crucial component of having strong bones and teeth, which means your pet is more likely to lose or damage teeth as they age. Therefore, it’s a good idea to give your pet dental treats on a daily or bi-daily basis.
Also, even though it isn’t fun for either one of you, it might also be necessary to start brushing your pets’ teeth. Brushing and flossing will benefit them the same way it does you.
Install Pet Ramps Around Your Home
No matter how mobile your pet is and how often you take them on walks, certain aspects of their mobility will eventually fade. For instance, they won’t be able to jump as high or navigate steps as they once did. When this happens, it’s good to have pet ramps installed around your home wherever there are steps.
Pet ramps are the same as handicap ramps and fulfill the same function. The only difference is that pet ramps aren’t as wide and are sometimes steeper than handicap ramps for people.
Get Regular Blood and Parasite Checks
While regular pet checks are important, blood and parasite checks aren’t always included in typical vet visits. However, as your dog or cat ages, blood and parasite checks are more important than ever. Simply put, your pet’s immune system isn’t as strong as it was when they were younger, which means it may not be able to fight off bloodborne or parasitic infections.
Therefore, having your pet checked regularly for abnormalities is important so that you can catch problems in their earliest stages.
Add Supplements to Their Diet
Just like with humans, dogs and cats will require more supplements when they age that their bodies no longer produce. Fish oil, glucosamine, and probiotics are always a good place to start. However, you should consult your veterinarian to find out if your dog or cat needs specific additional supplements.
Final Thoughts
While providing additional care to dogs and cats when they age takes time and energy, it’s a rewarding job. After all, they’ve given you years of memories and fun, so taking care of them in their golden years is the least you can do.
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