Aging happens to all of us if we are lucky. And while better nutrition and medical care have helped to extend the life expectancy of household pets, greying whiskers and creaky joints seem to come way too fast to our beloved furry friends. Dogs and cats may age at different rates (with large-breed dogs being considered seniors at 7 years and cats being considered seniors at 10 years), but the ways to ensure that their golden years are indeed golden are similar.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Research published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine indicates that the median life span of overweight dogs is shorter than that of normal-weight dogs. And while weight gain as your pet ages and naturally decreases their activity may be common, an overweight cat or dog has increased health issues like diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, weight-exacerbated joint issues, and arthritis. Being too heavy can lead to breathing issues and decrease your pet’s ability to get around which then leads to even less physical activity. It can be a vicious cycle, so make sure to work with your vet to determine the ideal weight for your pet and the best way to achieve it.
Keep Them Active Both Physically and Mentally
Our pets need exercise to help maintain a healthy weight and retain muscle mass. But it also keeps them from being bored! As they age, however, exercise levels may need to adjust to the reality of their aging body. This may mean ditching the extra-long walks or hikes with your dog for shorter, more frequent leisurely strolls with lots of time to sniff for mental stimulation. Instead of rambunctious games of chase and climb with your cat, try an easy kibble chase where you toss one piece at a time for short distances. And low-energy ball play, where you sit in front of your dog or cat and roll a ball to them to play with, is an excellent way to keep them interested and active. Puzzle feeders, scent games, and snuffle mats are also good ways to keep your pet mentally active without high physical stress.
Keep Those Pearly Whites Clean
As with humans, dental care should be a lifelong practice for your pet. Starting a tooth-brushing routine is easier with a kitten or puppy, but it’s better late than never to start one with your older pets! The build-up of tartar and plaque on the gums and teeth of older pets is common and can lead to periodontal disease. It is estimated that 50% to 90% of cats and two-thirds of dogs over 4 years old have some form of dental disease. Periodontal disease can lead to pain and loss of teeth, impacting your pet’s ability to eat and causing infections of the liver, heart, and lungs. The good news is that it is preventable! Start a brushing routine today (and no, you can’t use human toothpaste!) and include a yearly professional vet cleaning in your senior pet’s schedule. Be sure to do blood work prior to each cleaning to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the procedure.
Help Them Groom
With age, skin can get dry and thin, hair can lose it luxurious shine, and nails can become long and brittle. Our pets feel better when their personal hygiene is maintained but as they age, it may become more problematic for them to achieve themselves. Dog nails don’t wear down naturally with less walking and running outside and cats may not use their scratching post as frequently. To ensure their quality of life in this area does not suffer, practice gentle daily brushing or combing of fur to stimulate circulation to the skin, remove loose hairs, and prevent matting. And make sure to keep nails appropriately trimmed so they can remain sure footed and suffer from less nail breakage.
Supplements for Mobility
There is no cure for arthritis, but Omega-3 fatty acids, or fish oil, may help slow its progression while other supplements may help increase flexibility and reduce joint inflammation. As these are all “supplements,” however, they are not regulated like medications, and some manufacturer claims have yet to be fully supported with robust research. That said, many pet owners swear by glucosamine with or without chondroitin, turmeric, green tree extract, and more. Anecdotal evidence seems to support some benefits to certain supplements, but your best bet is to work with your vet to first determine what is causing your pet’s mobility issues (arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc.) and then determine the best course of action. Your vet can also help you with the appropriate dosage and to select the most reputable supplement brands for your pet.
Make Your Home Senior Pet Friendly
As our pets age, mobility and agility can be impacted. Recognizing this and making some simple changes around your home can go a long way to maintain their quality and enjoyment of life. For instance:
- Raised food and water bowls: While there is some debate concerning the general use of raised pet dishes, in older arthritic pets, a comfortably elevated position may help relieve stress on their neck, back, and joints that comes from having to lean over too far. If your senior pet seems to be struggling at meal time, try a raised dish as it may be just what they need.
- Water bowls on every level: in a multi-level home, it may become increasingly difficult for your older dog or cat to run up and down the stairs as they once did. Since dehydration can be common in older pets, make it easier for them to access water as needed by placing a water dish on each level of your home that your pet frequents.
- Ramps or stairs to access higher or favorite spots: cats love to get high to that sunny spot, and dogs enjoy a snooze on the couch or bed. In order to facilitate their ongoing access to these spots, install ramps or stairs designed to accommodate their less-limber joints and muscles.
- Litter boxes that are arthritis friendly: aging cats may have reduced control over their bowels and bladder and it may become increasingly difficult for them to climb into a high sided litter box. If you find that your senior cat is starting to “miss” the litter box, consider lower-sided trays (or even a large baking sheet on newspaper) to help them successfully gain access. And like water dishes, placing a litter box on all accessible floors of your multi-level home may be very well received as your arthritic cat will not have to run up and down those stairs to go potty.
- Yoga mats for traction: inexpensive non-slip yoga mats (or carpet runners) placed strategically around the house can help aging pets get up and down from the floor with greater ease. They also make it easier to walk on otherwise slippery areas that are tile or wood.
- Night lights: our pets’ vision often decreases with age and it may become harder for them to navigate through dark hallways or rooms at night. Night lights are a simple solution that can help your pet feel comfortable continuing their nighttime routines. As an additional consideration, if your pet’s eyesight is getting poor, keep their surroundings as consistent and stationary as possible (i.e., don’t change the layout of your furniture or placement of their litter box, food, and water bowl). Your pet will remember the path they have historically trod over and over and be better able to navigate even with decreased vision.
- Orthopedic beds: we all know a good night’s sleep is important to our quality of life and this is no less true for our aging pets. A specially designed orthopedic pet bed might just be the ticket to help your pet wake up refreshed and excited for the new day. These beds are built with a dense foam base (often memory foam) with a softer support foam on top to help cushion older, sometimes achy joints and eliminate pressure points. The firm foam can also make it a little less difficult for your pet to get up and down as it doesn’t compress or move around like a standard polyester fiberfill.
Schedule 6-Month “Senior” Visits With Your Vet
In addition to your pet’s standard yearly checkup for bloodwork, vaccines, and preventative treatment, scheduling a mini 6-month “senior” visit in between can help you uncover and address any age-related health issues early on. This is also a good time to discuss any changes you are seeing in your aging pets and discuss the strategies in this article.