November is National Senior Pet Month
With advancements and the broader availability of veterinary medicine, our pets are living longer, healthier, and happier lives. While this is wonderful for our relationships with our senior pets, pet owners should be aware of normal aging changes and things we can do to make life more comfortable for our companions. Wise and Wonderful Integrative Veterinary Center, your holistic and integrative Sonoma County vet, has some tips for caring for your senior pet.
What age is considered senior?
The age at which a dog or cat is considered senior depends on the species and the breed. For instance, large and giant dog breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller dog breeds. And cats can, on average, live longer than most dogs.
While every pet may age differently, here are some general guidelines to help you determine when your pet may be considered a senior:
Cats older than 8-10 years of age
Dogs over 50 pounds and older than 6 years of age
Dogs under 50 pounds and older than 8 years of age
What health conditions are common in senior pets?
Senior pets can develop many of the same problems seen in older people, including:
cancer
heart disease
kidney/urinary tract disease
liver disease
diabetes
joint or bone disease
senility
weakness
In addition to regular wellness visits with your veterinarian, ask for a body condition evaluation at each visit. This will help both you and your veterinarian track your pet’s weight and body condition to assess any troubling changes. Feed senior pets quality diets. Ask your veterinarian for advice. Consider supplements and special accommodations for your companion.
See our upcoming blog posts about how to keep senior cats and dogs comfortable!
While some of these conditions can be easily treated, others will need lifelong management and frequent follow-ups with your veterinarian. It is important not to assume certain changes in your pet are just due to old age. Many of these conditions cause pain, urinary, and stool accidents in the home, loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, lethargy, and diarrhea. Always check with your vet if you notice any of these things in an older pet.
As your Santa Rosa, CA, vet clinic, we’re here to help!
