Coping with your Pet becoming a Senior Citizen

Everyone who loves their pet, never loves the prospect of their pet aging.  It is true, that as your pet becomes a senior citizen, there are special considerations, and steps you must now take to support their health, and well-being, it definitely doesn't have to mean your pet can’t live life to the fullest.

Cats and Dogs are considered to be in their senior years at 7 yrs old, here are some important steps you can take to make sure your pet can age with grace!

The most important thing we try to convey to pet owners is that a year in between comprehensive physical examinations by your pet’s veterinarian may seem frequent to you, but as your pet ages so much faster, this is several years in pet years from one checkup to the next.  A lot can change in the health of your senior pet in a year, and often your veterinarian may recommend your senior pet visit more frequently for check ups, like every 6 months.  Routine health screenings, like bloodwork and xrays are so important to the health of your senior pet.  If you haven’t been routinely doing health screens every year at your pet’s check up, the senior years are when you want to make that change.  Often, common health concerns like Diabetes and Kidney disease are easily noted in the early stages on blood panels, but often owners won’t notice clinical signs and symptoms at home until much later in the disease process, when it is much harder to manage.  By catching these common diseases early, you can easily manage and extend your Senior pet’s life with easy changes.  Routine radiographs, or xrays, might seem excessive, but often your veterinarian is screening your pet for heart disease and cancer, and other organ changes, while those diseases are more manageable and intervention is less of a risk.  Speak with your veterinarian about routine Senior Profiles and find out what routine screening is right for your pet!

Dogs, and even cats, can develop arthritis as they age, just like people.  This is not something that we want to see slow your pet down, and it shouldn’t have to.  Arthritis is easily managed, but often, is very difficult for owners to be aware of, as the signs are subtle.  Routine physical examinations will allow your veterinarian to examine your pet’s joints and ask targeted questions, to help decide if your pet might be having mobility issues.  We find that pet owners often are taken by surprise at how much improvement they notice once their pets are started on appropriate changes, medications, diet, and supplements meant to manage this common disease.  Talk to your veterinarian at your next senior visit to help determine if arthritis might be slowing your pet down.  Our goal is always to keep your pet feeling the most comfort at all life stages.

Dental Health is another very important aspect for extending your dog’s health and wellbeing well into his senior years.  Current recommendations for dental health include regular yearly dental cleanings starting at the age of 2 years old.  If your dog has not had regular dental care and he has reached his senior years, its highly likely he will have some level of gum and dental disease.  The bacteria that reside in his mouth can spread throughout his body leading to increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and many other issues.  In addition, that unhealthy mouth is likely painful, and many senior pets loose teeth due to poor dental health.  Speak with your veterinarian about whether a dental treatment is the right choice for your senior pet.

The last most common issue in senior pets is obesity.  If your senior pet has slowed down his activity level, but is still eating the same amount of his adult dog food, sometimes this can lead to weight gain.  Unfortunately, obesity, or even just being overweight, can make some common diseases worsen.  Arthritis is harder on the joints if your pet is carrying extra weight, and overweight dogs are more prone to disease they may already be at risk for such as heart disease, and kidney disease.  Feeding your senior pet a high quality senior pet food, in the right quantity for their activity level is the best way to keep your pet at an ideal, healthy weight.  If your pet has a few pounds to shed before reaching that goal weight, work with your veterinarian and clinic staff to achieve your pet’s weight loss goals, making those senior years the most years yet. 

Your pets age is only a number.  Don’t let your pet’s senior years go to waste.  There are so many things you can do as a pet owner, in conjunction with the veterinary staff at your pet’s regular veterinary hospital, to make these years the most memorable yet!