Though we’ve all used the term “dog years” many times, there really is no such thing as dog years. A loose approximation, our dogs and cats don’t age on a schedule we create, but instead on a personal schedule determined by breed and size.
Veterinarians, in general, tend to place dogs in the senior pet bracket around 9 years old. To be more specific, we generally follow this timeline:
– Small/medium breed dog – 11 years old
– Large breed dog – around 9 years old
– Giant breed dog – around 7 years old
Our feline friends are a little easier to age. Most veterinary professionals believe a cat has reached senior status around 9 years old. Also like their canine counterparts, a cat’s size and breed will do more to determine when he reaches senior status.
Another common question we get about aging pets is the difference between a senior pet and a geriatric pet. Again, there is a little gray area on the differences, but most commonly, a pet is considered senior when they reach a general age and are just beginning to experience the signs of aging. Geriatric pets are at the older end of the aging spectrum, the twilight years, and often have more health-related issues.
But as we’ve discussed, there are more signs that define a senior pet than extra candles on her pet-friendly birthday cake. Some of the aging signs are ones that we as pet parents and veterinarians can take notice of:
– Intolerance to exercise or limited mobility. If your dog enjoyed taking a few laps around the block a few years ago, but has slowed immensely, this could be a sign of senior status.
– Eating patterns and body weight. Weight gain can cause osteoarthritis and diabetes, while weight loss can cause other health-related issues.
– Sleeping pattern or cognitive behavior changes.
If your pet needs a little extra help here and there as she ages, contact us for information on making her senior years the best years yet!