Healthcare for Aging and Senior Pets
Healthcare for Aging and Senior Pets Did you know that November is Senior Pet Month?! Veterinary medicine has advanced so much in the modern era that pets are living much longer than previously. Senior pets have different needs than younger animals, so it is important to understand when your pet is a senior, signs that might be a cause for concern in aging pets, and what you can do to keep them healthy and happy. “When is my pet a senior?” This is a difficult question because species, breed, body size, and general health can greatly affect an animal’s lifespan. The American Animal Hospital Association defines senior-status in dogs as the “last 25% of estimated lifespan through end of life” and the Feline Veterinary Medical Association defines senior-status in cats as “greater than 10 years of age.” In my personal practice, we consider all animals over seven years of age “seniors” and we start to recom...