As pet owners, we often overlook the subtle signs of aging in our feline and canine companions. This was my experience with Blake and Gabriel, my two beloved cats, who lived to be 16 and 18. They remained lively until their final days, making it easy for me to miss critical signs of aging, such as arthritis. Blake’s gradual weight loss seemed inconsequential because he was still energetic and agile. However, a routine vet visit revealed concerning issues, which ultimately led me down a difficult path. Understanding these signs and knowing how to support our aging pets is crucial for enhancing their quality of life.
Geriatric veterinary care is increasingly advanced, with dogs and cats averaging an impressive 11.3 years of life, according to recent French studies. With our expanding knowledge, we can make simple adjustments that significantly improve the comfort and joy of our senior pets. The key for pet owners is to remain observant and proactive as their furry friends age.
At What Age Can My Dog or Cat Be Considered Old?
A large-scale study involving over two million cats and four million dogs has helped us better understand various life stages for these animals.
Cats typically enter their senior years around 10, progressing through mature, senior, and super-senior phases. In contrast, dogs’ aging process is less uniform and depends largely on their size.
- Small dogs (toy and small breeds under 9 kg, like Chihuahuas or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) generally enter their senior phase by about 7 years and become seniors by 12.
- Medium to large dogs (over 9 kg), such as Welsh Corgis and Golden Retrievers, typically reach this stage around 6 years.
It’s important not to panic when a pet reaches this new phase; it doesn’t necessarily signify that their time is running out. Instead, it’s an opportunity for us to pay closer attention and gradually adapt their living space, healthcare, and routines to ensure they age comfortably.
What Is Healthy Aging? How Can You Assess It in Your Pet?
Before discussing “healthy aging,” it’s crucial to understand that aging is a natural, gradual, and unavoidable process. With time, pets may become less able to tolerate environmental stress, and cellular damage accumulates, leading to physiological changes.
But what exactly does aging “healthily” mean? A recent consensus article I contributed to defines a healthy elderly pet as one that maintains enough capacity and resilience to meet its physical, behavioral, social, and emotional needs while enjoying a stable and positive bond with its humans.
Some changes are entirely normal: greying fur, slight tartar buildup, thinner skin, and marginally reduced senses—none of which significantly impact quality of life.
However, mobility challenges that restrict access to essential resources, such as difficulty getting up, climbing stairs, or interacting with you, should not merely be brushed off as signs of aging. The same holds for early indicators of cognitive dysfunction (a condition reminiscent of Alzheimer’s) when pets struggle to find their food bowls or appear disoriented at home. In these instances, it is vital to seek veterinary advice.
Quality of life is the focal standard for assessing whether a pet is aging in a healthy way. In both cats and dogs, the concept of frailty, borrowed from human geriatrics, is increasingly used (see table below).
How Can You Assess Your Pet’s Frailty?
Animals identified as frail are at a higher risk for developing diseases and should be closely monitored.
The benefit of this approach, similar to that used in humans, is that early signs of frailty can sometimes be mitigated. It underscores the importance of regular assessments and timely support to provide the best care for our aging companions.
Some Adjustments To Be Made
The first step in enhancing your pet’s life is to make their environment more accessible. They should easily reach food, water, resting areas, and other critical spots. Simple adjustments—like low cushions, steps for getting onto the sofa, or raised bowls for pets with osteoarthritis—can make a significant difference.
Increasing the number of access points is also beneficial—setting up multiple feeding areas, several comfortable sleeping places, and more easily accessible litter trays. Some litter trays can be too high for cats with arthritis; choosing a wider tray with a lower threshold can greatly enhance comfort.
Maintaining a calm and supportive relationship with your pet is essential. Any behavior deemed “undesirable” should be discussed with a veterinarian and possibly a behaviorist, as it may indicate a need for support, discomfort, or difficulty. For example, a cat scratching the carpet instead of its scratching post might be seeking a more comfortable position. Some pets may also become more anxious or reactive as they age or due to specific medical conditions, making it vital to understand the root cause instead of resorting to punishment, which may damage your bond and fail to resolve the issue.
Cognitive and physical engagement must continue but should be tailored to your pet’s capabilities. “Puzzle feeders” (interactive bowls that require problem-solving to access food) can still be beneficial, as long as they are appropriate to your pet’s condition. Simpler options like scratch mats or easy-to-move interactive bowls can be great alternatives to complex systems. Shortened training and play sessions, using enticing rewards like small pieces of chicken or sausage, can also be very effective.
Walks should be modified as needed; consider using comfortable and secure bags to carry your dog if it gets fatigued during walks. What’s crucial is maintaining your pet’s access to the outdoors.
Moreover, diet plays a significant role in caring for older animals. Aging alters digestion and gradually reduces muscle mass. Thus, it’s advisable to select a diet that is easy to digest, smells appetizing to your pet, and is specially formulated for senior animals. It’s best to avoid raw meats, as they can be nutritionally imbalanced and pose risks for older pets, who are more susceptible to issues with phosphorus intake and problematic calcium/phosphorus ratios. Additionally, raw diets can heighten health risks due to their lesser immune response.
Conversely, a combination of dry and wet food often yields positive results. Thoughtfully prepared homemade meals (with veterinary guidance) can also help rekindle a pet’s appetite. For notoriously finicky eaters, a simple enhancement—like warming wet food to intensify its aroma—might be an effective solution.
When Should You See Your Vet?
Regular vet check-ups remain crucial, especially to keep vaccinations and deworming current. Aging weakens the immune system, rendering older pets more vulnerable and necessitating routine protection against infectious diseases and parasites.
Geriatric consultations focus on closely monitoring the aging process, which is unique to each individuall pet. The first visit can be lengthy to facilitate an in-depth discussion and include necessary tests. Initial findings will help establish a baseline for future visits. Ideally, monitoring should begin at the onset of their senior years, with follow-up visits occurring every six months if frailty signs emerge or annually if their condition remains stable.
The objective has shifted from merely extending our pets’ lifespan to fostering their health and wellbeing throughout their lives. After all, we want our beloved companions to enjoy every moment as fully as possible, just as we aspire for ourselves.
