Seniors
For many pet lovers, watching our companions grow older is a comforting, rewarding experience. Hard to believe the same bundle of energy tearing around the yard so many years ago is now the calm and kind old friend curled at our feet.
As your pet ages, you may notice the outward signs: white around the muzzle, less exuberance, hesitation trying to stand up after a nap or difficulty climbing into your vehicle. Then there are the internal signs we can't see, like a slowing metabolism, and changing nutritional requirements.
Just as we give special attention to the needs of puppies, dogs heading into their later years require unique attention to help comfort them and extend their precious time with us. After so many years of loyalty and support, don't they deserve the best care we can give them?
If you're lucky enough to share your home with an older pet, check out the aging gracefully articles for some information regarding the care of your mature friends.
Aging and your pet's brain - CDS a form of Dementia in pets
More and more dogs and cats are living well into their senior years and just like elderly humans, pets can suffer from a kind of dementia called cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS. CDS is a syndrome associated with brain aging. It leads to changes in a pet's responsiveness, learning, memory and can cause anxiety with age.
Share thisArthritis
Old age arthritis (or osteoarthritis) is common in aging pets. It is usually a result of the ongoing wear and tear and instability in the joints, although other factors such as injury, genetic makeup, infection, immune disease and cancer can also affect the progress of the disease.
When is a pet considered to be a senior?
Pets age much faster than people do, and their rate of aging depends not only on the species type but also on the size of the breed. Cats are generally less than 10kg and are considered senior citizens after the age of 8. Dog breeds, however, display a wide variety of weights. The greater the weight of the breed, the sooner they reach their golden years.
How do I keep my best friends around as long as possible?
Bring in your pet to see us at least twice a year. Dogs and cats age much faster than we do and as a result, health problems progress much more rapidly. Australian pets are living longer than ever, and are increasingly suffering from many of the same chronic diseases that affect humans.
What should a seniors health check up include?
Older pets need more extensive exams. Your pet's senior visits should include a wellness overview, hands on physical examination, diagnostic tests and in some cases faecal examinations. Find out more here:-
How do I know if my pet is unwell?
Observe your pet for the EARLY WARNING SIGNS of aging and age-related diseases:
What are the signs of aging? Complete our seniors checklist
Now my pet is a senior, what changes do I need to make?
Early detection is key! Visit your veterinarian for a senior health care exam at least every six months to monitor changes in your pet's health. Remember your pet is over 50 years old and visiting a vet once a year is like a 50 year old human visiting the doctor once every seven years.
How much exercise does my senior pet need?
Exercise is important at every stage in your pet's life including their senior years. You may need to adjust the frequency and intensity of the exercise as a pet ages but it is important to maintain a regular exercise program. If your pet doesn't use their muscles, and move freely on a regular basis, they will lose muscle mass and tone. This adds to the aging process and eventually your pet will find it even more difficult to move about.
Things you can do at home to help your older pet
As pets age two kinds of changes often occur. The first is age-related change such as vision or hearing loss. These are normal and generally cannot be prevented. The second kind is pathological change or disease such as arthritis which can slow your pet down and cause discomfort.