Senior Pet Care Tips

From Pet Talk | College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
July 28, 2005

If Ol' Blue doesn't seem too eager to fetch that stick anymore, it could be that he's reached senior dog status and just doesn't have the energy.

The aging process for dogs and cats is much like that in humans, only it's accelerated. The standby rule of one human year equaling seven years in a dog or cat's life hasn't changed, meaning your 15-year-old pet may actually be 105.

Accordingly, older pets often need special care, says Dr. Deb Zoran, a veterinarian in the Small Animal Clinic in Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

"The conditions you see associated with older people are almost identical to those you see in older pets," says Zoran.

"These problems include arthritis, cataracts, loss of hearing, diabetes, heart murmurs, kidney trouble and of course, cancer. Some very old dogs and cats can also lose their potty training they've had all their lives. It's just another symptom of old age."

Zoran says some studies have even indicated that older animals may develop diseases similar to the human form of Alzheimer's - conditions of losing memory, cognitive abilities and becoming disoriented and confused.

Dogs or cats become middle-aged around 5-7 years of age and after that, they are considered an older pet. The exception is larger breeds of dogs.

"A Great Dane or Saint Bernard or any of the giant breeds are considered to be middle age at about age 4 or 5," she explains. "So the aging process is somewhat accelerated for them."

As pets age, their owners should recognize that some adjustments may have to be made, Zoran says.

"To begin with, when they reach age 6 or 7, it's a good idea to get some blood work done to screen them for potential problems. The veterinarian might also want to take an EKG (electrocardiogram) to check out the heart, take the blood pressure and perhaps some chest X-rays," she adds.

"Any preventative measures that we can do to catch some health problems early can almost always benefit the pet."

In some cases, a special diet may be necessary for a geriatric pet. These contain extra nutrients and are often lower in fat content. "Just like people, animals tend to put on weight when they get older," Zoran adds.

An exercise program may also be necessary. A brisk walk with an older dog, done in moderation, can usually benefit the animal, both from the perspective of weight control as well as maintaining good cardiovascular health.

"But cats are a different story," she adds. "It may require more inventive measures to keep them active. If you can get a cat to play with a toy, that's fine," says Zoran. "But a single cat tends to become more sedate."

And watch those teeth. Older pets, like people, need good oral hygiene, and such care needs to start early.

Zoran says aging is a natural process that occurs in pets just as in humans. "We can't stop the aging process, but with good medical care, we can prevent or delay some problems so their owners can enjoy their pets for many more years," she adds.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University.