Just as it is important to give special care to a puppy or kitten, so too is it important to think carefully about what a senior dog or cat needs to keep him or her comfortable, happy and healthy. In this article we share some helpful tips on caring for an aging pet as well as some recommendations when it comes to senior pet nutrition.
1. Your pet’s diet can help them live longer
Great nutrition can make a big difference to your pet’s quality of life and even help your pet live longer. A good diet forms an important part of a preventative health care plan.
Eukanuba’s Long Life Study shows how with fantastic nutrition and care, dogs can live beyond their breed’s average lifespan. Watch their video to learn more about this incredible study or read about best practice when it comes to feeding your dog a balanced diet here.
2. Be aware of their nutritional needs at each life stage
You will notice that advanced food brands will offer specific nutrition and benefits for each age group – puppy / kitten, adult and senior – because each life stage has different nutritional requirements. Below are two tables that highlight the nutritional needs of dogs and cats at each life stage.
For dogs:
| Life stage |
Nutritional needs |
| Puppies |
They need more calories and protein to help them grow and as their bones and joints are developing, so their mineral requirements change. |
| Adult dogs |
They are no longer growing so need less calories but still need sufficient vitamins, minerals and a balanced diet. |
| Senior dogs |
They are far less active so need even fewer calories, but they do need vitamins, minerals and a balanced diet that will support their joints as they age.
Although senior dogs need protein to prevent muscle atrophy, it's also key not to overload the kidneys with protein as low-grade kidney disease also becomes quite common. A lower level of good quality protein is what your dog needs as he/she ages.
|
For cats:
| Life stage |
Nutritional needs |
| Kittens |
They need more calories, protein and fat to assist with healthy tissue growth. Increased levels of vitamins and minerals assist with bone growth and healthy teeth. Kitten food is also more densely packed to ensure optimal nutrition is absorbed through their very small stomachs. |
| Adult cats |
They are no longer growing so need less calories, protein and fat in comparison to kitten food. Adult cat food will also supply sufficient vitamins, minerals and a balanced diet. |
| Senior cats |
They are far less active so need even fewer calories, but they do need vitamins, minerals and a balanced diet that will support their joints as they age.
Senior cat food will have higher levels of antioxidants to improve immune support. The food will also be easily digestible and have optimized calorie levels to maintain healthy body condition
|
We offer a wide variety of advanced, vet-recommended pet food brands here at Absolute Pets, including Eukanuba but also Hill's Science Plan and Ideal Balance, Acana, Royal Canin and Vet’s Choice amongst others. You can view our range online or at any of our stores.
3. Things to look out for as your pet gets older
As your dog ages, you may find their activity levels decrease – keep an eye out for this as this can indicate arthritis. Remember that most dogs will not show they are in pain and will not cry until arthritis is severe – this is why regular vet check-ups are highly recommended.
Also watch out for vomiting, diarrhoea and any changes in appetite and visit your vet if you are in any way concerned as the likelihood of kidney, hormonal, dental and other organ problems increase as they age.
Certain breeds are more prone to certain age-related ailments. For example, large breed dogs can be more predisposed to arthritis as their joints experience more wear and tear due to their heavy weight. Bulldogs and pugs can often suffer from dental disease due to their facial structures.
A senior cat can be classified as senior anywhere between 7 and 11 years of age. You will find, as with dogs, that their activity levels decrease and can lead to obesity and other associated diseases such as osteoarthritis and diabetes. If a senior cat suddenly loses weight it may mean they have dental or thyroid issues.
Unfortunately, senior cats are also masters at hiding health issues and you may only discover the health problem when it's too late. A few things to look out for include decrease in appetite, decrease in activity levels, over or under grooming, change in lean muscle mass and body condition scoring, night crying due to decreased vision and / or sudden decrease or increase in water intake and urination.
4. Preventative care for your senior pet
The best care is often preventative care which is often breed and lifestyle dependent. In general though, you can begin preventative care at around seven years and this will mostly consist of:
- Food - at roughly 7 years your pet can transition onto a senior diet plan.
- Joint care - consider joint supplements.
- Dental health – products with special ingredients to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up and maintain strong teeth.
- For dogs - type and frequency of exercise - your dog may still be able to exercise vigorously but this may cause pain and stiffness, in which case lower intensity exercise (even swimming) is recommended. It is important to keep exercising regularly so as to maintain muscle mass and keep your pet mentally stimulated and happy.
- For cats - it is quite difficult to see changes in their body condition because as lean muscle decreases, cats can retain body fluid. Taking frequent pictures of your cat can help you compare and pick up on any changes in their body condition.
5. Tips for making your aging pet comfortable at home
- Invest in a soft bed, perhaps with memory foam to help protect joints.
- Annual dental checks and teeth cleaning as dental disease can cause other health issues such as thyroid disease.
- For dogs, try to limit the number of stairs they need to climb. Ramps can come in handy for around the house as well as for easy access into the car.
- For cats, try to assist with their grooming. Senior cats tend to have overgrown claws and matted fur due to decreased activity.
- Above all else, regular visits to the vet are quite crucial and should include all the necessary health checks.
We hope you find this article helpful in caring for your senior pet. A special thank you to one of our team members Ger-Mari, as well as our Absolute Pets vet, Dr Cooper for helping us with this article.
Happy and healthy
The Absolute Pets team.