This guide is about the special needs of older dogs and cats.  Did you know that dogs and cats are considered seniors at age 7?  Just like people, pets can age at different rates, but the majority begin their "golden years" around this time.  Your pet's needs will begin to change, as well as his or her appearance and activity level.  It's important that you pay attention to these changes and make necessary adjustments to their care so your senior companion remains healthy and happy.

Below are some of the more common things we see in older dogs and cats.

• Obesity - Older pets tend to gain weight even when eating the same amount of food because their metabolism, caloric needs and activity level decrease.  What to look for:  You should be able to feel your pet's ribs if you lightly press your fingers into the rib cage - if you can't, they're overweight.  What to do:  First, have a check-up with the veterinarian to make sure the weight problem isn't caused by a disease, like hypothyroidism.  After that, diet and exercise!  There are weight loss diets on the market for both dogs and cats, usually using the term "lite."  Exercise your pet more by playing with a toy; walking around the block 'just one more time;' let them chase a ball, or balled up paper; or even get them on the treadmill! 

• Dental Disease - Tarter and calculus build-up, gum disease and infections cause bad breath and tooth loss.  Left unchecked, dental disease can have adverse affects on overall health.  What to look for:  Bad breath, brownish staining or build up on the teeth (especially the molars); if the disease is advanced there may be loose teeth and a loss of appetite.  What to do:  Get a professional cleaning done at the vet's office and then follow up with home care.  Brush your pet's teeth as often as you can (with products designed for pets of course), and provide lots of safe things for them to chew on, like Greenies, or chew toys.

• Arthritis - Just like people, many animals suffer from this painful joint disorder.  Although some breeds are more susceptible, all dogs and cats are at risk.  What to look for:  Stiffness (especially in the morning or on cold days); short steps; limping; depression.  What to do:  Provide your pet with a soft, warm place to lay (cold, hard floors cause stiffness and pain for an arthritic animal).  Give them exercise to loosen up joints, but don't over-do - let your pet decide when he's had enough.  Try a glucosamine supplement like Dasuquin and a vitamin for senior pets as well.

• Thyroid Disorders - As body systems age they become more likely to malfunction.  With a thyroid disorder, the thyroid gland may be overactive or underactive.  What to look for:  Weight loss or gain; aggression; excitement; lethargy; poor hair coat and/or skin problems.  What to do:  Your veterinarian will prescribe medication for your pet if a thryoid problem is diagnosed.  Left untreated, this disease begins to cause problems in other major systems of the body.

• Diabetes - Type II Diabetes is common in both dogs and cats and peak age of onset is 7-9 years old.  What to look for:  Increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss.  What to do:  Sometimes diabetes can be controlled with diet, other times it will require insulin.  It's important to get your pet's blood sugar under control as soon as possible, perhaps under hospitalization.

• Kidney Disease - Also called renal failure.  What to look for:  increased water intake and urination; loss of appetite; weight loss; and urinary tract infections.  What to do:  If the disease is discovered early its' progression may be significantly slowed by prescription diets such as K/D.  More advanced stages may require hospitalization for a time.  Your veterinarian can tell you if supplements like Azodyl will benefit.

• Behavioral Changes - Many things can cause behavioral changes in an older pet.  Sometimes, the changes are a normal part of aging, but other times they may be a symptom of an underlying problem.  It's important to report any behavior changes to your veterinarian so they can investigate and determine the cause.  If your senior pet suffers from Separation Anxiety or fearfulness, a pheromone therapy may help.  There's DAP for dogs, and Feliway for cats.  Or, you can try an oral supplement like Composure.

There are other concerns related to senior pets such as cancer, heart disease and cognitive dysfunction.  Early detection and intervention is vital to successful treatment.  Although some disease are not curable, there are treatments to improve the quality of your pet's life, ease pain and manage the progression of the disease.  Pets, like people, need preventative care and risk intervention, especially as they get older.  Identifying potential problems as early as possible can go a long way in extending life and cutting costly treatments down the road. 

"She was, if possible, dearer in her old age than in her radiant youth...Calmly she accepted her infirmities, depending upon me with implicit faith."  Eileen Gardner Gales