Our pets’ lives can never be long enough, but it is a privilege to watch a beloved pet develop from puppy- or kittenhood, grow into a healthy adult and then age into a senior pet. Throughout their lives, pets have different needs, and they require unique levels of care as they get older. However, pet owners may see senior pets as resilient and simply let them ‘age out’, when in fact, senior pets need individualised medical screening and additional care to maintain their quality of life and ensure they live as long and as healthily as possible.
This article aims to address this need for optimal care for senior pets, to ensure your ageing pet is as comfortable and healthy as they can be, and not suffering quietly when they could be receiving adequate senior pet treatment.
What age is a senior pet?
Veterinarians consider senior pets to be those who have passed mid-life and are in their latter years. Senior cats are those aged between seven and 11 years old (and older). Defining ‘senior’ in dogs will depend on the breed, as smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs. Smaller dogs reach their senior years by age seven to eight years old, while large and giant breed dogs may be considered senior by age five or six. Your dog’s veterinarian will be able to advise you on when it’s time to shift your beloved furry friend to senior status.
It’s important to define your pet’s senior status so that a mindset shift can take place – that they now require a change in nutrition, perhaps additional supplements to support ageing joints, and a shift in your approach to pet care. If, up to this point, you have only brought your pet to the vet for emergencies or for vaccinations or dental treatments, you will now be encouraged to bring your senior pet in for more regular screening and health checks.
Nutrition for senior pets
Each stage of your pet’s life can be defined by their energy and activity requirements. Puppies and kittens grow exceptionally fast in their first 18 months of life, and therefore need the appropriate nutrition to support this growth, such as higher protein and fat content, and the right mineral profile for healthy bones and organs. Adult pets need a high-quality maintenance diet to support their energy and health needs. Senior pets, however, require less energy and less protein, to support weight management and kidney health, respectively. They also need the right vitamin and mineral profile to support diminishing eyesight and cognitive function, and keep their teeth healthy, without overloading their kidneys.
Your senior pet’s activity levels will wane as their energy decreases and the cushioning of their joints deteriorates (if they develop osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease). If they continue to eat high-energy nutrition, they will rapidly gain weight. It’s therefore critical to reduce the fat content in their diet to maintain a healthy weight, and not put additional pressure on their joints and organs, or put them at risk of diabetes.
Before you switch your senior pet’s diet, ask the vet for a recommendation for the right senior pet food for your particular pet.
Exercise for senior pets
Senior pets that have led full and active lives may noticeably slow down as they age. This is the result of the deterioration of lean muscle, stiff or arthritic joints, and even a reduction in co-ordination. Even though your senior pet may show a marked difference in activity levels, it is still crucial that they get enough daily exercise. Structured activity like going for a walk or playing fetch or performing low-impact exercise like swimming is very healthy for senior pets. It helps to maintain muscle mass (which in turn supports ailing joints), improve co-ordination, maintain cardiovascular health and it releases endorphins – simply making them feel good.
Senior pets’ activity sessions may be shorter and less enthusiastic, but all the benefits are still there, including mental stimulation. Even at this age, senior pets can certainly benefit from puzzle toys and positive reinforcement training. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks! This all helps to slow down any cognitive decline as well as to maintain your special bond with your long-lived pet.
Quality sleep for senior pets
As pets age, they will sleep for longer periods of time throughout the day. It’s not only important that they be allowed to rest, but also that they sleep comfortably. Older pets may be in pain from sore joints and declining muscle mass, which is why a supportive pet mattress that retains their body heat is best.
By this stage, your senior pet may have their favourite spot in the winter sunshine, or their chosen cushion on the couch. Make sure it is not just a habitual sleeping area, but gives your pet a comfortable and supportive rest. If your senior pet has hard calluses on their elbows or ankles or any other bony parts of their body, they need additional support when sleeping for long periods of time.
Dental care for senior pets
If two-year-old pets are already at risk of periodontal disease, then senior pets’ dental health can pose a significant hazard to their quality of life and longevity. By the time your dog or cat has reached their senior years, they may already have had teeth extracted or have lost teeth due to age or dental disease.
Maintaining their dental health in their senior years is imperative to not only being able to chew their food properly, but also to keeping their immune system strong and protecting their major organs like the heart, kidneys and liver. Infection from periodontal disease can lead to oral bacteria getting into the bloodstream and weakening internal organs. Heart, kidney and/or liver disease can severely impact and shorten your pet’s life, so dental check-ups should be done more regularly in your pet’s senior years.
Common ailments found in senior pets
If your pet has a medical history with the vet, the vet will have a health baseline for your senior pet and may notice when changes start happening as a result of ageing. During a physical check-up, the vet will take note of your senior pet’s external appearance:
- 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
The vet may also do a palpation – using their fingers to detect any abnormalities in the size of your pet’s internal organs; especially the liver and kidneys. They will take your pet’s temperature and pulse, as well as listen to their heart and lungs, to detect the strength of the heartbeat and detect any arrhythmias.
It is during your pet’s senior years that they are more likely to develop chronic diseases such as:
- 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
The vet may recommend a blood panel or imaging like X-rays or ultrasound to make a diagnosis if they suspect that your senior pet has a chronic condition. The early detection of these diseases can result in faster care and a better prognosis for your pet. The vet will be able to recommend the correct course of treatment for each individual pet, but it is important that you stay compliant with your senior pet’s care regimen. Diseases like arthritis, heart, kidney and liver disease are progressive and can’t be cured, but with correct management, frequent check-ups and medication compliance, your senior pet can still live a healthy life in the wake of a chronic condition.
How often should senior pets see the vet?
Given the nature of senior pet ageing and the health conditions they are susceptible to, your pet’s annual vet check-ups may need to become twice-yearly check-ups. It’s important to keep up their preventative care regimen, which consists of vaccinations, tick and flea treatments, dental check-ups and general health examinations. These check-ups offer your pet valuable screening opportunities, and if the vet does detect a heart problem, joint pain, thyroid nodules or any other symptoms of a potentially serious disease, they will be easier to manage earlier on than if they progress to a crisis in the later stages of the disease.
At each vet visit, ask the vet when they would recommend to see your pet for their next check-up. Depending on your senior pet’s condition, the vet will be able to accurately determine the interval before their next check-up. They will also implore you to monitor your pet’s condition and notify them of any changes or new symptoms.
When should you consider euthanasia?
Pet euthanasia is a deeply personal matter and the choice to humanely end your senior pet’s life will not be an easy one. There are many emotional considerations to make, but from a veterinary standpoint, the pet’s comfort must always be the priority. The vet will provide thorough guidance in terms of the best outcomes for your senior pet’s condition, especially if it is a chronic or debilitating disease and your pet is experiencing more pain than comfort. While every pet owner wants to prolong their pet’s life, the vet will help you to weigh up the benefits to both you and your pet, as well as the drawbacks. The vet’s concern is your pet’s wellbeing, but ultimately the decision is yours.
