At what age are animals considered old?
To assess the age that our animals may have on the human scale, it is not enough to multiply their current age by 7.
In cats, 2 years of age is considered to be 24 years in human years. Then, for each additional year of life, your cat ages 4 years at a time. Around 8 years old, he will therefore have passed 48 years old!
Dogs, on the other hand, age differently depending on their size (small, medium or large breed). Generally, larger dogs live shorter lives than smaller dogs. At 3 years old, all three categories of dogs are about the same age, 30 years old. Then you have to add 4 years for each additional year of life for the small dog, 6 years for the medium and 9 years for the large dogs!
An animal is considered to enter its senior phase from the age of 7 years. Many animals will not yet have apparent signs of aging at this age, but the wear and tear mechanisms are in motion.
What are the signs of aging?
Like humans, pets may show early signs of deafness and vision changes, with their eyes appearing bluish due to reduced lens transparency. Osteoarthritis can also develop—90% of cats over 10 years old are affected. Bad breath often signals dental issues, while increased drinking and urination may indicate serious health problems. Monitoring these signs can help detect illnesses early.
How can we delay the signs of aging?
Some effects of aging, such as vision or deafness, simply cannot be stopped in animals.
However, we can ensure good oral hygiene for our little ones with scaling at the vet and good care at home. A healthy mouth can help prevent many diseases.
As for osteoarthritis, we can help slow its progression by continuing to keep our animal moving. However, be aware of his limits and stop if you feel he is tired. When your pet has symptoms of osteoarthritis, there is also a product called cartrophen that helps increase the fluid in the joints to create local protection without side effects. You can also give glucosamine to your companion. In the clinic, there are products specially designed for animals and which have a pleasant taste. It is important to ask the office staff about the best products for your pet.
A good senior food can also help the aging pet. The proteins are often of higher quality and products that help reduce inflammation are added.
In older animals, it is important to have an annual blood test to try to detect diseases visible in the blood before they damage the animal's health. Recently we did a preventive blood test on a beautiful 9 year old Siamese and were able to diagnose the beginnings of kidney failure. Fortunately, we will react quickly and will be able to increase his life expectancy with more attentive care and food adapted to his condition!
It is also recommended to have your senior pet seen by a veterinarian twice a year. This helps detect problems early and helps keep your pet healthy and with you for as long as possible!
Written by: Dr. Claudia Forget