Is your pet a senior? Generally, we consider dogs and cats seniors by
age 7 and older.
Similar to senior humans, senior pets need more frequent checkups to make sure they’re staying healthy. This is especially important since dogs and cats age much more quickly and can develop underlying issues that progress rapidly.
How Old is My Pet in Human Years?
Dog Years VS Human Years
7 dog years = 44 – 56 years
10 dog years = 56 – 78 years
15 dog years = 76 – 115 years
20 dog years = 96 – 120 years
Cat Years VS Human Years
7 cat years = 54 years
10 cat years = 63 years
15 cat years = 78 years
20 cat years = 97 years
Why Twice-Yearly Exams are Important
For dogs and cats, getting older means visiting the vet more frequently. At Chimacum Valley Veterinary Hospital, we recognize how special it is to care for your pet over the course of a lifetime and see them thrive into their golden years. Preventative senior pet care is one of our cornerstones, and we recommend twice-yearly checkups to monitor your pet’s health and run comprehensive bloodwork to check for problems. When dogs and cats become seniors, they also become more susceptible to chronic conditions that can harm the quality and length of their life, such as:
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Addison’s disease
- Thyroid disease
Seeing your pet more often means we can detect the early signs of disease sooner and take steps to treat the issue before it becomes harder to manage. Our veterinarians provide tailored treatment plans for every senior pet to ensure they get the best care for their needs. These plans include specific nutrition recommendations, along with pain management and the management of other existing disease symptoms.
Tips to Keep Your Senior Dog or Cat Healthy & Comfortable at Home
How you care for your senior pet at home can have a major impact on their overall health and quality of life. Here are some ways you can make life easier for your companion:
- MOBILITY SUPPORT – Senior dogs and cats often need extra help getting around the house. Rugs and floor runners give your pet much-needed traction on slippery floors, and strategically placed ramps can help them get onto and off the couch or bed without risking injury.
- ROUTINE EXERCISE – Staying active is important for senior pets. Play with your cat as much as possible each day and take your dog for walks. They can be shorter walks if your pet can’t go as far, but maintaining a certain level of activity can also help to maintain your pet’s mobility and keep them from gaining weight. It’s also a great mood booster!
- SUPPORTIVE BEDDING – Your pet’s old bones could use some extra padding when they bed down for a nap or a good night’s sleep. This can reduce stiffness and discomfort when they wake up in the morning and improve the quality of your pet’s sleep.
- SENIOR NUTRITION – Senior pets have different nutritional needs and should be fed a diet that is tailored to these needs. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
- MONITORING/OBSERVING – When you’re well versed in your pet’s daily behaviors and habits, it’s easier to recognize when something isn’t right. If you notice any changes in eating, sleeping, eliminating, and/or exercising, let us know as soon as possible.
