When is my pet considered old? How to care for ageing pets
From regular vet visits to proper grooming, discover essential tips to ensure your ageing pet enjoys a high quality of life.
Our furry friends are treasured members of our family – but new research suggests as they approach their senior years, we sometimes don’t pick up on important cues that they’re not doing so well.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Moss Siddle says behaviours we commonly chalk up to our pets “getting on in years” can often be a sign that they are in pain or experiencing a health issue.
“Often, by the time people bring their pets in to have them investigated, the condition is a fair way down the track, which is a hard position to be in at that stage,” Dr Siddle, founder of VetCheck 24/7 and VetCheck app, says.
“Whereas if they brought them in a lot earlier, we might have been able to prolong their life and give them a better quality of life.”
Subtle signs your older pet may be struggling
As with humans, age-related issues for animals often manifest over time, so it can be easy to miss the subtle indicators that our fur-buddies may be dealing with health challenges.
Dr Siddle says cats are especially good at masking signs of ill health.
“Because they’re nocturnal, they sleep most of the day, so people don’t tend to notice they’re not jumping up on furniture as well as they used to, or other subtle changes to their routine,” he says.
Dr Siddle recommends seeking veterinary advice if you notice any of the following signs or behaviours in your pet:
Change in drinking habits
Drinking more or less than usual can happen with diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease or periodontal disease. “It’s a non-specific sign, but it certainly can indicate a change in health status,” Dr Siddle says.
Appearing slow to rise or settle
Dr Siddle says if your pet struggles for their first few steps when they get up, or circle their bed testing different positions to get comfortable, they may be experiencing joint pain or arthritis.
Appetite change
We may dismiss a variable appetite as our pets getting fussy in their old age, but Dr Siddle says it could suggest a serious health issue such as liver or kidney disease, cancer or dental disease.
Vomiting or regurgitating
“If they’re doing that fairly frequently, that’s not normal,” Dr Siddle note
Change in stool consistency
Dr Siddle says watch for loose stools or constipation.
Struggling to urinate
“If they’re trying to urinate and not able to urinate properly it could indicate cystitis, which may be caused by things like bladder stones, or it could be they’ve got cancer,” Dr Siddle says.
“Urinary problems, especially in male cats, can be life-threatening.”
Bad breath
“This can be a result of dental conditions such as excess tartar build-up in their teeth, or they may have a rotten, loose or cracked tooth, or they may have a tumor or a growth inside their mouth that’s causing bad breath,” Dr Siddle explain
Excessive scratching
Itching can be caused by parasites including fleas, ticks or mites, or skin infections caused by allergies.
When is my pet considered “old”?
Dr Siddle says cats are generally considered middle-aged from around seven years and geriatric from about 12, while for dogs old age can depend on their size and breed.
“Large breeds, like a Great Dane, might only live to about six or seven years, so middle age occurs (at) about four years of age, and then they’re geriatric by the time they’re five,” he says.
“For a little dog like a Jack Russell, middle age doesn’t start until about eight, and they become geriatric at about 14 years old.”
How to care for your ageing pet
To make sure your four-legged mate enjoys the best of care and is as comfortable as possible in their golden years, Dr Siddle recommends the following:
Visit your vet at least twice per year
“When they’re young, fit and healthy, they probably don’t need to come in more than every 12 months; but once they hit that middle-age mark, they should have regular check-ups at least twice a year,” he says.
Keep your pet protected
Elderly pets could be at increased risk of developing dangerous diseases, so it’s important to keep up to date with parasite preventatives and vaccination.
Stay on top of grooming
Keep hairs out of pets’ ears, wipe their eyes clean and if they have a long coat, keep them groomed regularly as that helps prevent dermatitis from forming.
Keep your pet comfortable
Senior pets may want to sleep more, so make sure they have a warm, soft, cosy place to rest.
Monitor your pet’s toileting
Discuss any incontinence or stool changes with your vet.
More on pets:
- Hot tips for keeping pets cool
- 7 common plants that are toxic to your pet
- Should you let your pet share your bed?
- What your dog’s star sign tells you about their personality
Written by Claire Burke.
