As dogs and cats mature, their bodies and minds change. Seniors are more prone to certain discomforts and ailments. Keeping senior pets as healthy and comfortable as possible requires recognizing signs of age-related conditions and adjusting care to fit their everyday needs and their healthcare needs.
Lifespans and senior pet ages
There’s no one age that marks all cats or all dogs as seniors. Because they mature at different rates, the age at which cats and dogs become seniors varies and is dependent upon their lifespans.
The American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Life Stage Guidelines state that a dog becomes a senior when they have lived 75% of their estimated lifespan. In general, smaller dogs have longer lifespans than larger dogs.
Average lifespan of dogs by size:
- Small: 10-15 years
- Medium: 10-13 years
- Large: 10-12 years
- Giant: 8-10 years
There are exceptions to these numbers. Size is not the only determinate of lifespan. Some breeds within these categories live well beyond the categorical average and some have shorter-than-average lifespans. Breed characteristics and lifestyle also play major roles in how long dogs live and the care they will require.
Cats are a little different. Cats have six life stages ranging from kitten to geriatric. The life expectancy of cats depends on breed and largely on lifestyle and preventive care. We generally consider cats seniors after 10 years of age. As with dogs, individual cats have individual needs.
Common conditions among senior cats and dogs
As pets age, changes occur in their physical bodies and their cognitive capacities. Besides turning gray and slowing down, aging pets become more prone to certain conditions and diseases:
- Osteoarthritis
- Cancer
- Bone disease
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Dental disease
- Urinary tract disease
- Incontinence
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Vision loss
- Cataracts
- Hearing loss
- Cognitive decline
Behavior changes are common amongst senior pets. This could be the result of cognitive decline or because of pain and discomfort from physical ailments.
Symptoms of cognitive decline:
- Trouble sleeping at night/change in sleeping patterns
- Stumbling
- Wandering
- Aggression
- Inappropriate elimination (house soiling)
- Confusion
- Reduced interest in play
- Not responding or responding less to commands
- Increased vocalization
Symptoms of osteoarthritis pain:
- Limping
- Wincing when touched
- Reluctance to jump onto furniture or into vehicles
- Difficulty rising
- Stiff gait
- Aggression
- Excessive sleeping
Symptoms of hearing loss or vision loss:
- Bumping into objects
- Not responding or responding less to commands
- Ignoring loud noises
- Head tilting or shaking excessively
- Increased vocalization
Symptoms of kidney disease:
- Increased thirst/urinating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Poor coat quality (cats)
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Bad breath
Helping senior pets stay healthy and comfortable
When pets mature and enter their senior and geriatric years, we focus on maintaining healthy habits, watching out for common age-related conditions, treating and slowing the progression of diseases, managing pain, and making life in general as easy and as comfortable for them as possible.
Here are several vital ways to help senior pets:
- Get regular wellness exams (biannually or more—the earlier we can catch disease or pain, the easier it is to treat)
- Maintain parasite prevention and vaccinations (senior immune systems are weaker than younger ones and not as easily able to fight illness or parasites)
- Keep them at a healthy weight (excess weight is hard on joints and can promote disease)
- Keep usual routines (familiarity comforts pets)
- Make sure pets have easy access to food, water, beds, and their bathroom (avoid stairs and long distances)
- Provide orthopedic beds, cozy blankets, and non-electric self-heating pads for comfort and warmth
- Provide gentle, regular exercise appropriate for their age and health status (talk to a veterinarian about low-impact activities such as swimming)
- Feed quality nutrition appropriate for their life stage or medical conditions as directed by a veterinarian
- Use pet ramps or stairs where necessary to help pets reach furniture
- Help pets into the car instead of asking them to jump (consider a lift/sling made for large dogs)
- Groom them more often when necessary (pain, disease, or discomfort can cause senior cats to neglect grooming, which should also be addressed with your veterinarian)
- Stimulate minds with play and by using interactive toys, treat puzzles, and bird/squirrel videos or a bird feeder near a window
- Talk to your veterinarian about supplements and laser therapy as support for joint health and pain relief
- Avoid punishing pets for acting out or assuming they have bad behavior. Instead, talk to your veterinarian about specific changes in your pet, physical or behavioral
For those with cognitive decline or vision loss, nightlights placed throughout the home can help nighttime navigation. Avoid changing furniture around, as this can create unfamiliar obstacles causing confusion and injury. Hang onto old items like bedding, toys, and scratchers. These comforting items feel and smell familiar and can help reduce anxiety and confusion.
For pets suffering from hearing loss, finding new ways to communicate is essential. Teach dogs basic hand signals. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends teaching younger dogs hand signals they will understand later. Use flashing light and vibration (stomping on floor or thumping surfaces) to draw attention. Approach pets from a point where they can see you and avoid coming up from behind. When leaving, say goodbye and let them watch you leave to avoid trauma or confusion if they wake from a nap and you’re gone.
Dogs with vision or hearing loss or cognitive decline should always be on a leash while out; and cats should remain indoors.
Overall, caring for senior pets starts with paying close attention to gradual and sudden changes. Regular wellness exams and conversations with your veterinarian, creating an easy and comfortable environment, and adapting to pets’ changing needs will help aging cats and dogs live their best senior lives.
References
Creevy KE, Grady J, Little SE, et al. VETERINARY PRACTICE GUIDELINES 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines.; 2019:267-290. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6999
Montoya M, Morrison JA, Arrignon F, et al. Life expectancy tables for dogs and cats derived from clinical data. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1082102. Published 2023 Feb 21. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1082102