“Older pets, like elderly people, have special needs,” remarked Tony López during an interview that she gave on Channel 8’s morning show “Despierta Guanajuato” on November 9. As we reported last month, the interview, hosted by Luis Camacho, focused on how to care for dogs and cats as they age.
The American Veterinary Medical Association, on whose website much of the following advice relies, states that “although senior pets may develop age-related problems, you can help them live a happy, healthy, and active lives in their senior years by providing for their physical, mental, and health care needs.”
When do pets become “seniors”? The answer varies, depending upon the species and breed. Cats are generally considered to be seniors after 10 years of age. Because dogs vary greatly in their size and other characteristics, their tercera edad (third age, as Mexicans call the age of senority) also varies. In general, though, larger breeds tend to live shorter lives than smaller breeds, and many veterinarians consider dogs to be seniors when they reach the last 25 percent of the average life span for their breed.
Thus, on average, small or toy dog breeds (those weighing less than 9 kilos) become seniors at 8–11 years of age. Medium-sized breeds (9–23 kg) are seniors at 8–10 years. Large breeds (23–40 kg) reach tercera edad at 8–9 years, and giant breeds (those weighing more than 40 lbs) reach that age in 6–7 years.
Not surprisingly, pets, like people, are at risk of health issues and diseases that become more common as they age. Therefore, senior pets should see a veterinarian at least twice a year, so that illnesses can be detected before they become more serious. Keeping their vaccinations up to date is especially important because their immune systems weaken with age.
Older pets should be fed foods that are easily digested and are formulated to meet their special nutritional needs. Controlling an older pet’s weight reduces its health risks. Allowing an older dog to become overweight may shorten its life. Weight loss in senior cats is cause for concern.
Common health problems of older pets are lower energy, weaker joints, arthritis, heart disease, kidney and urinary-tract disease, liver disease, diabetes, loss of vision and hearing—and cancer, which is the main cause of death of dogs and cats over 10 years old.
Lower energy, weaker joints, and arthritis are common ailments of older pets
Unsterilized dogs and cats are at greater risk of breast, testicular, and prostate cancers than sterilized pets. Surgery and anesthesia are themselves risky for older pets, which is one reason why we recommend that they be sterilized shortly after they reach reproductive age.
Changes in a pet’s behavior are often the first signs of aging. The changes may be due to discomfort or pain, reduced sight or hearing loss, disease, or cognitive (brain) impairment similar to senility in humans. Common behavioral changes in older pets with cognitive impairment are increased reaction to strange or loud sounds, more frequent barking or meowing, increased aggressive or protective behavior, increased anxiety, disorientation or confusion, wandering, accidental urinating or defecating, repetitious actions, loss of interest in playing, and changes in sleep patterns.
Arthritis is a common and painful cause of reduced activity. Your older pet may have arthritis if it walks stiffly, has difficulty sitting down or standing up, has difficulty walking up or down stairs, favors one leg, resists being touched or petted, or shows unusual aggression toward people or other pets. Arthritis can be treated with medication, and you can make a pet with arthritis more comfortable by making some simple changes in your home. For example, raise its feeding platform, provide it will an orthopedic bed, and move it to an area of your home where it does not need to use stairs.
If you decide to introduce a new pet into your home while you still have a senior dog or cat, who may no longer be interested in playing, be sure to protect the older pet from the antics of the newcomer. Your senior pet needs to be able to retreat to a secure place where it can rest in comfort, undisturbed.
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is always painful. Deciding when it’s time to let one go can be very difficult, but euthanasia may be the kindest thing you can do for a pet whose suffering cannot be relieved. Your veterinarian can help you decide when it’s the appropriate course of action. Your elderly pet himself may let you know when he’s ready to die by refusing food and water. If possible, have your veterinarian come to your home to euthanize him. And stay with your pet to comfort him at the end.