I was surprised to learn recently how many things Pet owners can do to make their senior Pets more comfortable. Some of these methods are intuitive, such as adding ramps in the home for arthritic dogs; others, such as eliminating clutter in the home for Pets with declining eyesight, are less so.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), older Pets are at higher risk for health problems such as kidney and liver disease, intestinal problems, prostate disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, joint problems and cognitive problems. The age at which a dog reaches its “senior” years varies by breed and dog size, but generally ranges from five years old for giant breeds, to seven to nine years old for medium-sized breeds, to 10-12 years old for smaller breed dogs. Cats can reach their senior years between 8 and 12 years of age.
To keep your Pet healthier and more comfortable in its senior years, it’s most important to be diligent about its preventive care in its younger years. Lifelong care of your Pet’s health includes lots of love and affection, scheduling regular preventive care and professional teeth cleanings, providing at-home oral care and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise schedule. By taking these steps consistently, you will help your dog or cat transition smoothly and gracefully into its senior years.
Many Pet owners I speak with report that few things provide them with more joy than knowing they are doing all they can to provide a high quality life for their Pets – from day one to day 4,352. If you are one of the lucky Pet owners with a senior Pet, you know the special gifts they provide…from their calming presence, to their trusting vulnerability, senior Pets bring new meaning to the term “golden years”.