A Guide to Managing Health Issues in Aging Pets
The aging process is different for every individual pet, and depends on their breed, size, and lifestyle. Puppies and kittens become adults around the age of one, and then enter their senior years between 7-8 years old. Since many pets live well beyond their 10th birthday, the senior years are the longest life stage. Senior pet care is fairly straightforward, but there are some important considerations to support their comfort, mobility, and longevity.
Changing Needs
Just as you wouldn’t feed a puppy or kitten food intended for adults or senior pets, aging animals have specific dietary needs that support overall health. We can customize a senior pet diet that is not only appetizing for picky eaters, but delivers all the vitamins and nutrients necessary for your pet’s life stage.
Let’s See Those Teeth
It’s true, the majority of pets over three years old have at least one stage of periodontal disease. It is preventable with regular teeth brushing and routine dental cleanings, but some pets are at higher risk of dental disease. Many senior pets face broken, cracked, or missing teeth, painful, bleeding, or swollen gums, and secondary infections.
Senior pet dental care is a priority, and has the potential to reduce other health complications.
Keeping Trim
As pets age they start to slow down. Without the expenditure of calories they’re still consuming, weight gain is a common issue in senior pets. Be sure to carefully measure portions, and inspire your pet to move every day.
Added weight can put extra pressure on already inflamed joints. Arthritis is a common issue in senior pets, and can be managed with nutritional supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, and medication. Keeping them trim and active every day can mitigate symptoms.
Why It Matters
Obesity can also increase a senior pet’s risk of developing diabetes mellitus. While some breeds are genetically predisposed to diabetes, many develop the condition in their senior years if they are overweight. While diabetes can be managed, pet owners can reduce the risk by providing an age-appropriate diet and daily exercise.
Senior Pet Wellness
As pets age, we increase their wellness exams from once a year to twice annually. This helps us detect issues before they become too difficult or expensive to treat. With the use of routine blood work, urinalysis, and thyroid tests, we can pivot towards an effective plan that preserves senior health. Senior pet blood work looks at organ function, anemia, dehydration, thyroid function, infection and more. Ultrasounds and X-rays can also provide insight into what’s happening.
Common senior pet diseases include:
- Kidney disease
- Liver problems
- Hypertension
- Cancer
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Vision and hearing loss
- Dental disease
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
- Urinary incontinence
- Diabetes
- Thyroid issues
Senior Pet Wellness
Senior pets have so much love to give, and if they’re well cared for, a long life in front of them. If you have questions or concerns about your pet’s future health, give us a call at (916) 624‑PETS (7387). Our vets look forward to seeing your senior pet at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital.