When is my cat considered a senior?

Cats are generally considered to enter old age around 10 years old, with further stages like mature, senior, and super-senior.

How do I know if my dog is aging healthily?

A dog is aging healthily if it retains the capacity to meet its physical, behavioral, social, and emotional needs and maintains a positive relationship with its human.

What dietary changes are recommended for senior pets?

Senior pets benefit from easily digestible diets with appealing smells and tastes, specifically formulated for their needs, avoiding raw meat due to potential imbalances.

Home / Lifestyle / Boost Your Senior Pet's Health and Happiness

Boost Your Senior Pet's Health and Happiness

17 Dec

•

Summary

Cats reach old age around 10 years; small dogs at 7, larger dogs at 6.
Assess pet health by their ability to meet needs and maintain relationships.
Adjust environment, diet, and exercise for aging pets' comfort.

Boost Your Senior Pet's Health and Happiness

Geriatric veterinary care is advancing, offering improved ways to support aging dogs and cats. Recent studies help define senior life stages: cats are considered old around 10 years, while dogs' aging depends on size, with smaller breeds entering seniority later than larger ones. This new phase doesn't signify decline but calls for increased attention to a pet's evolving needs.

Assessing a pet's "healthy aging" involves evaluating their capacity to meet physical, behavioral, and emotional needs, alongside their relationship with their owner. Mobility issues or cognitive changes beyond normal signs like greying fur warrant veterinary attention. The concept of frailty, adapted from human geriatrics, helps identify pets needing closer monitoring for early intervention.

Enhancing an elderly pet's environment with accessible resources, like ramps or raised bowls, is crucial. Maintaining calm interactions and adapted cognitive and physical stimulation, along with a senior-specific diet, are key. Regular veterinary check-ups, including geriatric consultations, are essential for monitoring health and prolonging not just lifespan, but healthspan.