Aging
Aging in dogs
Signs of aging
At what age does your animal companion enter his golden years? It all depends on size and species. Most dogs enter their golden years around 7 to 10 years, although large and giant breeds start a bit earlier, around 5-7 years of age.
Symptoms
Some signs are subtler than others. Symptoms include:
Adopting an older dog or cat
When many people think about adding a cat or dog to their families, they envision a cute and cuddly kitten or puppy. Certainly, there is no denying how adorable these youthful animals can be. Younger pets also arrive with very little history and the promise of long lives ahead of them. The benefits to adopting an older animal, however, are also numerous. Adult dogs and cats often make even better pets for many people than their younger counterparts.
Aging in cats
Signs of aging
At what age does your animal companion enter his golden years? It all depends on size and species. Cats begin to show visible age-related changes between the ages of 7-11 years of age.
Symptoms of aging
Some signs are subtler than others. Symptoms include:
Aging in cats
Signs of aging
At what age does your animal companion enter his golden years? It all depends on size and species. Cats begin to show visible age-related changes between the ages of 7-11 years of age.
Symptoms of aging
Some signs are subtler than others. Symptoms include:
Hospice care for dogs and cats
One of the most significant differences between human health care and veterinary medicine is a veterinarian's ability to end unnecessary suffering. While this final act of compassion is carried out by the vet, it is the owners who are faced with the gut-wrenching decision of when the time has come for euthanasia. Now there is another way to ease a pet's suffering: a form of nursing that has been available to people for many years: hospice care.
Hospice care for dogs and cats
One of the most significant differences between human health care and veterinary medicine is a veterinarian's ability to end unnecessary suffering. While this final act of compassion is carried out by the vet, it is the owners who are faced with the gut-wrenching decision of when the time has come for euthanasia. Now there is another way to ease a pet's suffering: a form of nursing that has been available to people for many years: hospice care.
Aging in dogs
Signs of aging
At what age does your animal companion enter his golden years? It all depends on size and species. Most dogs enter their golden years around 7 to 10 years, although large and giant breeds start a bit earlier, around 5-7 years of age.
Symptoms
Some signs are subtler than others. Symptoms include:
Caring for senior pets
You may notice that your seven year-old wolfhound can't hear as well as he used to, and it seems to be taking him longer to get up in the mornings. Or perhaps you've noticed that your 11-year-old tabby has added some extra cat naps to her routine and her coat's thinning out. This is perfectly natural, as dogs and cats begin to show visible age-related changes at about seven to 12 years of age. There are metabolic, immunologic, and body composition changes, too. While many of these changes are unavoidable, some can be managed with regular veterinary care and diet.
Caring for senior pets
You may notice that your seven year-old wolfhound can't hear as well as he used to, and it seems to be taking him longer to get up in the mornings. Or perhaps you've noticed that your 11-year-old tabby has added some extra cat naps to her routine and her coat's thinning out. This is perfectly natural, as dogs and cats begin to show visible age-related changes at about seven to 12 years of age. There are metabolic, immunologic, and body composition changes, too. While many of these changes are unavoidable, some can be managed with regular veterinary care and diet.