Keeping pets frisky at all ages: Wellness for your senior dog or cat
Age is not a disease. With ongoing, proactive wellness visits and care in partnership with your neighbours here at Upper Village Veterinary Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, your dog or cat can stay frisky and healthy for life – regardless of whether they’re a (chronologically) young pup or just act like one several years down the road.
When is my dog or cat considered to be a “senior”?
With cats, they are generally considered to reach those “golden years” after their 10th birthday. With dogs, it’s a little less straightforward. There are more variations in size with our canine friends. Bigger and higher-weight breeds “age” differently than smaller ones. Experts characterize the “senior years” as the last quarter of a dog’s lifetime, which looks something like the following based on breed type/weight:
Small or “toy” breeds under nine kilograms = eight to 11 years
Medium-sized breeds between nine to ~22 kilograms = eight to 10 years
Large-sized breeds between ~22 to 41 kilograms = eight to nine years
Giant breeds weighing more than 41 kilograms = six to seven years
Should I visit you more frequently once my pet reaches senior age?
Yes. While we generally recommend that junior, adult, and mature dogs and cats visit us at least annually, your senior companion has more needs. So, the recommendation is for them to visit us at least once every six months, twice a year, for their “well” visit. During this appointment, we conduct our usual nose-to-tail checks; these exams may be more in-depth and include bloodwork and testing for conditions that tend to develop in older age. With these visits, we can spot the signs of illness and treat them promptly before they cause bigger problems that affect your pet’s health and quality of life and potentially require more aggressive and costly treatment.
What are some changes that I should pay attention to?
Age is a risk factor for cancer. Cancers account for nearly half of senior canine deaths and one-third of senior feline deaths. It’s important to contact us right away, even if you aren’t scheduled for a well visit if you notice changes like abdominal swelling, problems with swallowing, sores that never seem to heal, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, unexplainable lameness, strange bumps, lumps, and skin discolouration. You may also notice that your pet doesn’t respond to commands like they once did, or they may not get around as well in familiar environments, like their favourite spot in their house. Changes in how your pet behaves are often among the first signs of ageing. The Upper Village Veterinary Hospital team is happy to work with you to understand better what is going on with your pet and to make recommendations to help them, which could be as straightforward as incorporating more puzzles and toys into their daily routine to keep them mentally stimulated.
What are some other risks to older pets?
Some of the biggest risks include oral/mouth problems, like dental disease and tumours. Seniors’ immune systems also can’t fend off parasitic threats like younger pets’ immune systems can, and weight gain is also a considerable risk. In fact, as with people, obese senior pets are at increased risk of developing arthritis, respiratory problems, diabetes, heart disease, skin problems, cancer, and a loss of muscle mass. Our team stays on top of any changes that could increase your pet’s risk during regular visits. In this way, we also stay one step ahead of any potential problems to keep your older pet feeling young, vibrant, and content.
Enrolling your pet in one of our affordable wellness plans can help keep them youthful and healthy for life. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out or schedule a visit by calling us at (647) 560-9276.
