(Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM) Caring for senior pets requires extra care and regular visits to the veterinarian. Aging is a normal and inevitable process. When our cats or dogs grow old, it is necessary to pay more attention to their needs because they will experience many changes in their bodies that can result in various medical conditions. Our beloved elderly pets can also experience behavioral changes.

In addition, remember that each dog or cat is unique, and you must take into account their breed, medical history, and size when caring for them as they grow old.

In short, the quality of your pet's life depends on the food you give it, their daily routine, their physical exercises, and the love and attention they receive.

At What Age Can Pets Be Considered Seniors?

If we are talking about dogs, their size is an important factor to take into account because large dogs age faster than small ones. As a result, depending on the size, a dog can be considered senior at the age of:

• > 6 years for medium and large breeds
• > 10 years for small breeds
• > 12 years for toy breeds

Regarding cats, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), they are considered seniors at over 10 years old. However, many veterinarians treat cats over the age of seven as seniors.

Physiological and Behavioral Changes That Can Occur With Age

As we mentioned at the beginning, as pets get older, various physiological changes begin to appear in the body of our pets. These changes can lead to various medical conditions over time. These can be:

• Pets will have less energy and they will become more sedentary and gain weight.
• Obesity and advanced age can lead to joint problems and limited movement. Your senior pet will no longer be able to walk, run, and play. They will also avoid going up and down stairs and may get tired more easily.
• Kidney, liver, or heart conditions may appear which can lead to weight loss and other health problems.
• A weak immune system, which can lead to a reduction in the body's ability to fight infections.
• Cognitive function may decrease and senility may occur (cognitive dysfunction). You may notice clinical signs such as aggression, reduced interest in playing and toys, pacing, restlessness, house soiling, and anxiety. 
• Visual and auditory acuity may decrease. You may notice clinical signs like hitting their head on a wall or furniture, not answering when you call their name, etc.
• Dental problems that can become quite a serious health issue. Dental problems can cause severe pain that will prevent your pet from eating. This can lead to weight loss and malnutrition.

What You Can Do to Make Your Senior’s Life More Beautiful: 9 Tips on Caring for Senior Pets

1. Take your pet to regular veterinary check-ups

It is very important to take your pet, be it a dog or a cat, to the vet regularly, especially after they have reached the age at which they are considered senior. Senior pets should be taken for regular check-ups twice a year. This is important because this is the only way you can discover the health problems that occur before they become severe. If your senior pet shows various clinical signs (e.g., fatigue after exercise, drinking more water than usual, urinating frequently, having bad breath, etc.), take them to the vet in time. Do not wait for the symptoms to pass because this will not happen.

Moreover, even if everything seems to be fine, there are many "hidden" diseases that are not clinically expressed. A general exam, blood tests, and possibly an abdominal ultrasound can show changes before your pet has visible clinical signs.

2. Pay Attention to Their Body Weight

It is important to pay attention to the weight of your dog or cat. As it happens in humans, obesity can lead to a variety of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, and even cancer. Therefore, consult your veterinarian regarding the ideal weight for your pet.

3. Give Your Dog or Cat Quality Food

Quality food is another aspect not to be neglected. In fact, health lies in the diet that your pet consumes. As a result, depending on their nutritional and medical needs, you can offer diets specially designed for obese patients, with joint, kidney, heart problems, and so on. If your senior pet does not suffer from health problems, a quality diet specially designed for senior dogs or cats is ideal.

4. Give Them Supplements for Senior Pets

There are several types of supplements you can give your senior pet. These can be given as prevention or adjuvant for various ailments. Supplements for senior pets may contain the following: 

• Fish oil – contains essential fatty acids omega 3 and 6 and can be included in the diet of pets of any age. The body of pets cannot produce them naturally, and it will be necessary to take them from their diet. Fish oil helps to reduce inflammation and has beneficial effects on the heart, joints, and nervous system.
• Chondroitin, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), glucosamine, collagen, and hyaluronic acid – these are essential for the joints of pets.
• Probiotics – probiotic supplements are beneficial to reduce inflammation throughout the body.

5. Make Sure They Get Their Daily Dose of Exercises

By ensuring daily physical exercises, you help your pet to remain active (i.e., not to become sedentary) and maintain healthy joints. In addition, a quality diet and regular exercise will help your pet stay in shape.

6. Grooming

With advancing age, health problems can also occur. For example, senior pets can suffer from urinary incontinence, which will keep their posterior area permanently moist. As a result, to ensure comfort and prevent the risk of skin infections, it is recommended to groom and clean the respective area.

In addition, nail trimming is equally important. Due to osteoarticular problems, senior pets will no longer be able to blunt their nails as they normally would. If you do not know how to do this, take your dog or cat to a veterinarian or groomer for this procedure.

7. Take Care of Your Pet’s Oral Health.

Brushing your pet's teeth should be done daily since your pet is a puppy or a kitten. If you have not taught your pet with brushing their teeth, you will have to take them to the vet regularly for various dental procedures.

8. Create a “Senior Friendly” Environment for Them

It is very important to adapt to the needs of your pet as it ages. For example:

• Place a ramp near your bed so they can get in it easily without having to jump.
• Place window seats so that your cat can enjoy the sun as much as possible.
• Buy a soft bed.
• Cover the tiles and parquet with carpets to prevent your pet from slipping.

9. Give Them Plenty of Love

With age, some pets will become deaf or blind. They will be scared at first because they won't know what is happening to them, but with time, they will adapt. Be patient with your pet and help them as much as you can to improve their life and make this transition as less stressful for them as possible. Also, don't take revenge on them if they start soiling your house. They don't do it on purpose.

Iuliana graduated from the University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in 2012, Romania. She has a Master’s degree in Small Animal and Equines Pathology and a strong affinity for Veterinary Parasitology and Laboratory. In 2013 she started her Ph.D. in epithelial cancer in dogs and cats. She volunteered at the faculty’s clinic in her 3rd year of study, and continued her career in small animal pathology and laboratory. She has one cat and eleven rats. Her interests outside of work include traveling, writing, and crafting.