Pet Aging with Huntersville Veterinary Clinic

Thanks to advances in nutrition and veterinary care, as well as a shift toward treating pets as family members, dogs and cats are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Instead of losing pets to easily preventable diseases like heartworms, we now more commonly see pets succumb to diseases associated with advanced age, like cancer, or suffer from a decline in quality of life due to pain and mobility issues.

Puppies and kittens often visit the veterinarian four or more times in their first year, but senior pets may only be seen once annually. This is concerning because dogs and cats are very good at hiding pain and discomfort until it becomes severe. Animals are masters at adapting to pain and chronic disease—to the point that owners may not notice gradual changes. It’s not uncommon for a pet that was thought to be “slowing down” to become noticeably happier and more energetic once their chronic pain or illness is treated.

You’ve probably heard the saying that one dog year equals seven human years. While this approximation works reasonably well for small to medium dogs, it’s less accurate for large or giant breeds, and doesn’t translate well to cats. Although it varies by breed and size, most pets are considered seniors between 7 and 10 years of age, with larger dogs on the younger end of that range and cats/small dogs on the older end.

Why does this matter? Senior pets have different needs than younger animals. They are generally less resilient and have less “organ reserve,” meaning they do not tolerate illness or physical stress as well. As a result, early detection and treatment are especially important. Signs that may indicate a developing problem in a senior pet include:

• Decreased energy or dull attitude
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased drinking or urination
• Urination/defecation outside the litter box
• Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation (even intermittently)
• Limping; difficulty jumping or climbing
• Increased breathing rate or effort; coughing
• Behavioral changes like aggression, hiding, noise sensitivity or confusion

If you notice any of these changes, schedule a veterinary visit as soon as possible. Identifying disease early can add months or even years to your pet’s life.

Many owners question whether routine lab work is necessary if their pet seems normal at home. Routine testing provides invaluable information: even normal results establish a baseline unique to your pet, making subtle changes easier to spot and allowing for earlier detection of disease. To put it in perspective, a 12-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a 64-year-old person. Having an exam and lab work performed once a year would be like that person only getting a check-up every four years. Not to mention that the cat can’t tell us they’ve been having some hip pain or feeling a little fatigued lately!

While it’s difficult to accept that our pets age faster than we do, proactive care can make a meaningful difference in keeping them comfortable, healthy and enjoying life for as long as possible.