As pet owners, we have the privilege of sharing our homes with furry family members. We get to see young boisterous puppies and curious kitties mature into energetic adult dogs and cats and – if we’re truly lucky – grow old, calm right down and age into regal senior pets. From puppy- or kittenhood, our pets need varying levels of care to meet them at the age they are and care appropriately for their health and wellbeing. While senior pets may slow down and appear to not need as much playtime and attention, we may be tempted to just let them ‘age out’ comfortably. However, this is the time during which they need additional nutritional, medical and even emotional care to ensure they can maintain a good quality of life and that they are as comfortable and happy as can be.
In this article, we’ll look at what really happens as senior pets age and what their optimal care looks like in practical terms: what is it that you as a pet owner can do to ensure your senior pet is receiving adequate care for their years?
What does ‘senior’ mean in pet years?
The breed and size of your pet will determine when they reach their senior years. Veterinarians treat pets who have passed the middle of their lives as seniors, and start to apply senior pet screening from midlife onwards. But what does this mean for specific pets?
Cats are considered ‘senior’ at any stage between seven and 11 years old (and older if they’re lucky). Dogs are a little more complicated, since larger dogs don’t get as old as smaller dogs do. Giant breed dogs reach their senior years at approximately five years old. Large dogs become seniors at around age seven. Small to medium size dogs can reach their senior years anywhere from seven to 10 years old. Mixed breed dogs present a conundrum in this regard, confirming that each dog’s veterinary care should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Ask the veterinarian when you should expect your pet’s senior years to roll around.
Why does it matter when your pet becomes a senior? It requires a change in mindset towards your pet’s care. They may need more frequent check-ups, a change in diet, less vigorous activity and perhaps shorter, slower walks. They may need supplements for digestive health, preservation of their joints, and a more comfortable pet bed. The veterinarian may want to examine your pet more regularly, check up on their teeth, and monitor their weight. The vet’s role will include screening and health checks – not just dental treatments and emergencies.
Your senior pet’s nutrition
Your pet’s health is strongly influenced by the quality of the pet food they eat and how their body absorbs and tolerates the ingredients. When you ask the vet for a recommendation for the best pet food for your dog or cat, the first consideration they will make is for the animal’s age. This is because each stage of life has different nutritional requirements determined by the pet’s energy needs and activity levels. Puppies and kittens need much higher levels of proteins and fats than older pets do, to support their rapid growth rate. Adult pets need maintenance and support nutrients, while senior pets need the right amount of fibre for gut health, fewer carbohydrates and fats for lower activity levels, and balanced levels of protein and fewer minerals so as not to overtax their kidneys. Older pets will need the right nutritional profile to support their eyesight, cognitive function, and dental health – a balancing act for sure!
As senior pets age, they will become less active, have less energy and their joints will likely be deteriorating. If they stay on a high-energy diet, they can quickly become obese, which puts stress on their joints and other internal organs, and can put them at risk of diabetes. It’s therefore critical to ask the vet to recommend an appropriate senior pet food for your ageing pet.
Your senior pet’s activity levels
If your pet has always been very active and full of beans, it will immediately be noticeable when they slow down and become less active due to age. There are a number of culprits for this: a reduction in lean muscle mass, joint pain and deterioration, and even less co-ordination due to dulled senses (sight and sound) and cognitive decline. With clearance from the vet, make sure your senior pet still gets an adequate amount of daily exercise. Structured activity like a set playtime, training sessions and even low-impact exercises like swimming are highly beneficial for senior pets’ physical and mental wellbeing. Exercise helps to maintain muscle mass (which supports arthritic joints), cardiovascular health, and co-ordination. It also releases endorphins, which is essential for maintaining their emotional wellbeing.
Your senior pet may show less enthusiasm for activity, but reward their participation because they will still get all the benefits from a moderate amount of exercise every day. If your senior pet is less interested in chasing a ball or a red dot on the wall, they may find new joy in puzzle toys and positive reinforcement training (just be sure to use low-calorie treats). Yes, old pets can still learn new tricks! Not only will this keep them physically active, but it can slow down the process of cognitive decline and help to maintain your lifelong bond with your ageing pet.
The quality of your senior pet’s sleep
You may notice your older pet sleeping for longer stretches during the day. This is not only normal, but it’s imperative that they get comfortable, good-quality sleep. They need the rest, but they also need relief from any joint and muscle pain they may be experiencing. If you’re concerned about your pet’s joints, ask the vet to check them out and recommend a supplement to help slow the rate of deterioration. Put the right measures in place to keep your pet comfy and pain-free. This may mean pain medication, but it definitely means a super supportive bed with a memory foam mattress, which offers joint support as well as self-warming properties that help with pain relief.
If your senior pet has got their favourite napping spot in the house, double check that it’s not just a habitual sleeping area, but is comfortable and supportive, and meets her resting needs. If your pet is sleeping in a spot of winter sunshine on a hard floor or on outdoor paving, place a comfy mattress there instead. It will work wonders for joint pain.
Your senior pet’s dental health
We cannot emphasise enough the importance of regular dental check-ups and annual cleanings. Not only is this good for your pet’s oral health, but also their overall health and wellbeing. By the age of two years old, pets are already at risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease, which means that by the time they reach their golden years, their dental health may have a much greater impact on their overall health than you realise. Older pets’ teeth may appear more worn down than their younger counterparts, and they may even have experienced tooth loss (or extractions, if they’ve had regular dental treatments).
Whether you’ve cleaned your pet’s teeth from their early years or you’re newly-focusing on their dental health now, this is one area of their health that cannot be ignored. As they age, pets still need to be able to chew their food, they shouldn’t overtax their immune system (with exposure to oral bacteria), and their major organs must be protected from infection. Taking care of their dental health can ensure all of the above!
Periodontal disease can open the door for bacteria to get into your pet’s bloodstream and disrupt the function of their heart, kidneys and liver. This can shorten pets’ lives by up to two and a half years, so dental check-ups should be done more regularly as your pet ages.
Your senior pet can experience these common issues
The importance of regular veterinary check-ups is revealed in your pet’s senior years. The vet will have established a health baseline for your pet, so when physical (or behavioural) changes appear as a result of ageing, these will be easier to spot than if your pet sees the vet for the first time as an old animal. During a check-up, the vet will be particularly interested in these aspects of your pet’s health:
- any weight changes (senior pets either gain or lose weight as they age)
- condition of the skin and coat
- the appearance of lumps in or under the skin (lipomas)
- any nodules or enlarged lymph nodes
- bad breath and visible dental issues
The vet will palpate (press or feel) your pet’s abdomen to check their internal organs. Your pet’s reaction to this palpating will also tell the vet a lot about their level of discomfort (if any). They will take your pet’s temperature, check their pulse, and listen to their heart and lungs.
The vet will be looking for signs of age-related diseases, which can include:
- degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis)
- diabetes
- periodontal disease
- hypothyroidism (more often in dogs) or hyperthyroidism (more often in cats)
- Cushing’s disease
- cancer
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- urinary tract disorders
- liver disease
- cognitive dysfunction/dementia
- blindness
- deafness
If the vet suspects that your pet has a troubling health concern, they will recommend a blood panel (series of blood tests) and/or imaging tests, like X-rays or ultrasound. These additional tests will help the vet to make a diagnosis. Screening and early detection of these age-related diseases means treatment and care will be less intensive and will give your pet a better outcome. The vet will recommend the best course of treatment for each individual pet, but it is important that you comply with your pet’s care regimen at home. Unfortunately, there is no cure for progressive diseases like arthritis or heart, kidney and liver disease, but the correct management of the condition, as well as frequent check-ups and medication compliance mean your senior pet can still live a healthy life despite their chronic condition.
Vet visits for senior pets
Throughout your pet’s life, they should see the vet at least once a year for their annual check-up, vaccinations, dental cleaning, and to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your pet’s health or behaviour. As pets age, their annual check-up may need to become twice-yearly vet visits, especially if the vet has some concerns about your pet’s health and wants to keep an eye on them. During their senior years, it becomes even more important to pay attention to your pet’s preventative care regimen and to stay up to date with their vaccinations, tick and flea treatments, dental treatments and screening opportunities.
If you have any concerns about your senior pet’s weight, diet, skin condition or changes in behaviour, ask the vet for their opinion. After each vet appointment, confirm when the vet would like to see your pet again for their next check-up.
Your senior pet and euthanasia
As pet owners, we all form family bonds with our pets. As those pets age, the inevitable question around the possibility of euthanasia will arise, with the most pertinent question being: How will I know when it’s the right time to euthanise my pet? It is both the worst and the best decision you can make for your pet, so undoubtedly, it will create conflicting feelings. The choice to humanely end your senior pet’s life is a deep and personal one. The vet will acknowledge the difficulty of this choice; and while there are emotional considerations to be made, your pet’s potential ongoing suffering and their quality of life must always be prioritised in this decision. The vet will offer guidance regarding your pet’s health and prognosis, especially if your furry friend has a chronic health condition. As difficult as it is to witness, it is a truly compassionate act to be with your pet during euthanasia, as they will be comforted by your presence before they cross the rainbow bridge.
Conclusion
It is a privilege to care for pets from their early days to their older years. As furry family members, their health and wellbeing are just as important as that of our human loved ones’ wellbeing. Working with your pet’s veterinarian, there is a lot you can do to give your senior pet a good quality of life as they go through the ageing process. Speak to the vet if you have any concerns about your golden oldie pets.