Todays cats and dogs are living longer than ever, with an average life span of about 13 years for dogs and 14 for cats, depending on breed--and today, some 30 million US dogs and cats are considered seniors. While this means one great thing--you get to spend more quality time with your four-legged soul mate--it also means that pet owners now face the challenge of keeping a dog or cat healthy well into old age. While older animals are more prone to developing a range of problems--musculoskeletal issues, arthritis, thyroid or kidney disorders, and cancer, to name a few--even generally healthy pets undergo changes. Pets become less energetic and attentive, says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, of Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and the editor of Good Old Dog. Theyll sleep a little more and be generally more quiet and composed. But there are things you can do to help your animals live long, happy, and comfortable lives while theyre with you. Read on. Amp Up Your Vet Visits An animal starts to hit middle to old age around 7 years, on average--for big dogs of 80 pounds or more, this comes a year or two sooner, and for cats and smaller dogs, slightly later in life. At this point, you should see your vet once every 6 months instead of every year. While this may feel frequent, remember that animals age 6 to 10 times faster than humans, so a biannual appointment for your pooch is akin to you visiting the doc every 3 to 4 years. At these visits, your vet should do a more thorough physical, examining the eyes, hearing, mouth, ears, color of gums and membranes, and lymph nodes; listening to the heart and lungs; and feeling the whole body for unusual lumps or bumps, which could all reveal early problems, Dr. Dodman says. Pair this assessment with a full blood scan and urine analysis, and consider checks for thyroid function--all tests that your animal may or may not have had recently, depending on his health and your vets preferences. With these types of diagnostics, you can catch and treat issues before they become full-blown, he says.Make New Food Rules As in humans, pets metabolisms, digestive tracts, and nutritional requirements change as they age. When activity levels decline, decrease your pets calorie intake. While being overweight is never healthy, its especially hard on joints and organs in senior pets. Look for food thats higher in protein and fiber and lower in fat--senior formulas that fit these requirements are available at pet stores. If your cat or dog has a specific problem such as arthritis or renal failure, you can get prescription food from your vet. From Prevention: Is Your Pooch Too Pudgy?
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 22:47:59 +0000
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