Eve is here. My cats who lived to old ages (one died at age 16, the other at 18) were healthy until near the end, so maybe I wasn’t paying attention to the signs of aging in cats, and maybe I wasn’t paying attention to what I might have been able to do. One of them, Blake, was thin, but he was still jumping off the counter, so I may have missed the signs of arthritis. When he went in for a routine check-up, doctors noticed that his lung capacity wasn’t normal and ordered an x-ray, which showed a large white mass that the vet thought was probably cancer. He really didn’t want to go to the vet and didn’t want to do any more tests to confirm it because there wasn’t much that could be done if it was cancer. I put it out of my mind.
When she started having trouble breathing in early January, I took her to another vet who treated her when she was a kitten (I changed vets to get permission to go to Oz, but very few were able to do that, and then we stopped doing it. After the x-rays, Blake really hated her, so I thought this might make it a little less painful). He said, “A mass was found in his lung in May, is he still alive?” I put off putting him down a bit and took him in with just a little idea of what they could do as mitigation. He was deemed fit enough to die the day before his terminal vaccination appointment.
My other older cat, Gabriel, was similarly active until about 6 weeks old (he died of bladder cancer). So in neither case did I have to struggle with frailty. I think this is a big problem considering dogs are prone to hip arthritis.
Author: Sarah Houmady, DMV, PhD, UniLaSalle Associate Professor of Animal Behavior and Animal Nutrition. Originally published on The Conversation
According to French data, the average lifespan of dogs and cats is 11.3 years, and veterinary care for the elderly is doing very well. Our knowledge of how to care for them in their later years is rapidly expanding. We know that simple changes can have an amazing effect on the comfort and quality of life of older cats and dogs. An important point for pet owners is to not just sit back and watch the age of your four-legged companion.
At what age is my dog or cat considered a senior dog?
A study of more than 2 million cats and 4 million dogs has allowed us to more precisely define their various life stages.
Cats enter old age around the age of 10. This period is further divided into the mature, senior, and supersenior periods.
The same study points out that dog age is not as uniform in dogs, as it is highly dependent on body size.
Small dogs (toys and small dogs weighing less than 9 kg, such as Chihuahuas and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) enter their third year at about 7 years old and become senior dogs at about 12 years old.
For example, medium to large dogs weighing over 9 kg, such as Welsh Corgis, Golden Retrievers, and Australian Shepherds, reach this stage earlier, at around 6 years of age.
Even into super seniority, this Golden Retriever can maintain a good quality of life. Nun Le/Unsplash, CC BY
However, don’t panic. Just because it’s a new stage doesn’t have to mean the end is near. In fact, it may be time to pay more attention to your pet and gradually adjust its environment, medical care, and care routine to help it age in the best possible way.
What is healthy aging? How can you assess it in your pet?
But before we talk about “healthy aging,” it’s good to remember what aging is: a natural, gradual, and inevitable process. Over time, animals become less resistant to environmental stress, cells accumulate damage, and a variety of physiological changes occur.
So what does it mean for a dog or cat to age “healthily”? A recent consensus article I participated in provides a definition tailored to your pet. In short, a healthy older animal is one that retains sufficient capacity and resilience to meet its physical, behavioral, social, and emotional needs while maintaining a stable, positive relationship with humans.
Some signs are completely normal, such as gray hair, slight tartar buildup, thinning of the skin, and a slight decrease in sensation, but they do not noticeably affect the quality of life.
Some physical changes are completely normal. Eva Tyler/Unsplash, CC BY
On the other hand, mobility problems that prevent access to resources (difficulty standing up, climbing stairs, or communicating easily) should not be considered simply as a sign of aging. The same is true for the first signs of cognitive dysfunction (a syndrome with similarities to Alzheimer’s disease), for example, when your dog or cat has trouble finding their food bowl or appears lost around the house. Veterinarian advice is required in such cases.
Quality of life therefore becomes a central criterion for assessing whether an animal is aging harmoniously. In dogs and cats, the concept of frailty, which originates from human geriatrics, is currently used (see table below).
How can I assess my pet’s frailty?**
Animals classified as frail are more susceptible to developing disease and should be monitored more closely.
The biggest advantage of this approach is that, similar to humans, early detected frailty may be reduced. Therefore, regular check-ups and early support are key to providing the best care for your elderly companion.
some adjustments needed
The first step is to make the animal’s environment more accessible so that the animal can easily access all its resources (food, water, resting and hiding places, contact areas, etc.). A few props and adjustments can make a big difference, such as a small step to climb into a couch, armchair, firm low cushion, or elevated bowl for dogs and cats suffering from osteoarthritis.
High cushions or armchairs allow older cats to tower over their territory. Ginger/The Conversation, CC BY-ND
Increasing the number of access points also helps. For example, provide two or three nursing areas, several sleeping areas, and more litter trays that are easy to straddle. Some commercially available cat litter trays are too expensive for cats with osteoarthritis. A tray that is wide and has low edges will be more comfortable.
Maintaining a calm and positive relationship is essential. Behaviors that are considered “undesirable” should always be investigated by a veterinarian and behaviorist (or veterinary behaviorist). It may reflect a need, discomfort, or difficulty. For example, a cat that scratches the carpet instead of scratching may simply be looking for a less painful position. Some animals become more anxious or reactive due to age or certain medical conditions. Therefore, it is important to understand the cause instead of punishing them, at the risk of damaging the relationship and not being able to resolve the issue.
Cognitive and physical stimulation must continue to match the animal’s abilities. “Puzzle feeders” (interactive bowls in which animals must solve puzzles to obtain food) can still be useful, as long as they are selected according to the animal’s condition. Scratch mats or interactive bowls that can be pushed with the nose are preferable to systems that require complex foot movements. Games, learning, and small training sessions are still beneficial. Sometimes it’s enough to shorten the session and use highly appealing rewards (such as small pieces of chicken breast or sausage).
You can adapt your dog to walks by using a comfortable and safe bag to carry him, especially when he gets tired during part or all of the walk. The important thing is to continue giving your animal access to the outdoors.
Finally, diet is important when caring for older animals. As we age, our digestive system changes and we gradually lose muscle mass. Therefore, it is best to choose a diet that is easy to digest, has an odor and taste tailored to your pet’s preferences, and is specially formulated for the needs of older animals. Raw meat should be avoided. Raw meat often has mineral imbalances and can be harmful to older animals, who are especially sensitive to excess phosphorus and improper calcium/phosphorus ratios. It also increases health risks because the immune system becomes less effective.
On the other hand, it is often effective to combine dry food (kibble) and wet food (terrine, mousse, etc.). Cooked home-cooked meals (as per your veterinarian’s advice) will also help restore your animal’s appetite. And for those who are picky about what they eat, a simple trick may be all you need. It’s all about warming up the wet food a little to make it more aromatic and more appealing.
When should I see a veterinarian?
Regular veterinary visits are still essential, especially to keep up to date on vaccinations and deworming. Aging weakens the immune system, making older animals more vulnerable and requiring regular protection against infections and parasites.
Geriatric counseling aims to monitor the aging process that is unique to each individual. The initial consultation is often the longest to allow for a detailed discussion and include additional tests if necessary. These initial findings will inform your next visit. Ideally, this monitoring should begin at the beginning of the Tertiary period. The frequency of examinations depends on the animal’s progress. Every 6 months if you are showing signs of weakness or once a year if your condition is stable.
The challenge is no longer just to extend the lifespan of our furry friends, but above all to extend their health. After all, just like us humans, we want them to enjoy themselves for as long as possible.
This entry was posted by Yves Smith on December 26, 2025 in Curiosity, Guest Post, Healthcare.
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