It can be hard to watch a beloved pet grow old. When do dogs become seniors? How does caring for them change?
The old rule-of-thumb that one dog year equals seven years of a human life is not quite accurate. According to DogPack.com, “The ratio is higher with youth and decreases a bit as the dog ages. Depending on the breed, a dog experiences the raging hormones of adolescence anywhere from 8 months to 2 years or more. Generally, a dog of 6 has aged about as much as a 45-year-old human. At 10, [the dog is] like a human of 65; at 12, a human of 75; and at 15, a human of 90.”
Some of the first signs of aging are a graying muzzle, slowing down and tiring faster. It may take a pet longer to climb the stairs or it may be a little slower at playing fetch. Some of these changes are natural, but it’s important not to overlook changes that may be symptoms of a condition needing treatment.
Don’t assume that a change in behavior or habits is simply due to old age; it may be due to a treatable condition. Veterinarian Dr. Robin Downing, treated a dog like this. “Molly wasn’t leaping on and off the beds anymore and she didn’t want to go for long walks. Her family was worried that she had just suddenly succumbed to old age, but when I did a geriatric workup on her, we discovered Molly had a thyroid condition and arthritic back pain,” Downing said. “A maintenance prescription of thyroid replacement hormone, pain and anti-inflammatory medication for the osteo-arthritis in her back, and Molly was back in business. In fact, three years later, her owners tell me Molly is more active than she’s been in years.”
The old adage, “Use it or lose it” is fitting for dogs too. The best way to keep older muscles working properly is to continue using them on a regular basis. My dog, Gabby, is now 7 years old and has just started developing a touch of arthritis. She can’t run with me like she did in years past (although she would try if I let her). I became concerned when she started limping after one of our daily three-mile runs. I immediately took her to my vet, Dr. Dean Gebroe, who diagnosed her with mild arthritis. To my surprise, he said that walks were still fine, in fact, they would be good for her. I think Gabby was grateful about that. Her daily jaunts outside are one of her favorite things to do. It’s also important that older animals have enough high-quality meat protein in their diet to maintain their muscles.
Veterinarian Dr. Barbara Royal is an expert on caring for aging pets. She offers this advice: “Keeping your pup’s mind lively is extremely important. By placing toys or treats in places where it requires some effort to retrieve them, helps to keep the mind active. And don’t forget to play with your aging cats too. People play games with dogs in many life stages, but mature cats are often left to sleep all day. Don’t just put treats under their noses; make them do a little work for them.” Royal recommends placing treats up a flight of stairs or on top of a climbing toy so that the pet will have to exercise to get to it.
It’s important to practice prevention, as well. Older animals may not have the best balance and the pads of older canine and feline feet can slip more on smooth surfaces. Adding area rugs and other non-skid floor coverings can help them get up and move more confidently. Non-slip booties can also help, as long as they aren’t too bulky. Good lighting is also helpful to aid with failing eyesight. My cat Jackie had trouble getting on the bed and it broke my heart. Her favorite spot at night was to curl up next to me on my pillow. I fixed the problem by putting a little step stool next to the bed. She learned how to use it quickly and was able to get to her favorite sleeping spot.
Don’t let your geriatric pet get overweight. This will only exacerbate any joint problems or movement. With overweight dogs, simply feed them less food and avoid carbohydrates. Most dogs will lose the extra weight. If it’s hard to get the weight off, ask a veterinarian to check for hypothyroidism or other health conditions. Weight loss in cats must be carefully controlled or they can get ill, so check a veterinarian.
Lori Fusaro has been voted the best portrait photographer by FoxTV three years in a row. She lives in Culver City with her husband, four cats and dog. Contact: Lori@FusaroPhotography.com, FusaroPhotography.com.