PETS AGE MUCH FASTER THAN HUMANS. WE CONSIDER DOGS AND CATS TO BE SENIORS WHEN THEY’RE ABOUT
SEVEN YEARS OLD.
At this age (or older, for some pets), the chances of certain health problems tend to increase. That’s why it’s important to stay current on your pet’s biannual exams.
Here at Best Friends Animal Hospital, part of our mission is to keep our patients as healthy and comfortable as possible throughout their golden years. We especially love seeing the senior dogs and cats that have been with our practice since they were puppies and kittens, and we thank you for entrusting them to us over the years.
Our senior pet services include the standard comprehensive wellness exam, full blood testing, urine testing, advanced diagnostics (X-rays, ultrasound, etc.), pain management medication, laser therapy, parasite prevention, and vaccinations.
Comparing Pet and Human Ages
Instead of saying that dogs and cats age about seven times faster than humans, sometimes it’s easier to compare their age to that of humans. The following chart provides an estimate of how old your pet would be 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
Common Health Problems in Senior Pets
Just like humans, the overall health of a senior pet tends to deteriorate after a certain age. The risk of certain problems increases, making preventive care more essential; the sooner a health problem is detected, the sooner it can be treated. Below is a list of some of the most common health problems that affect senior dogs and cats:
- Cancer (lymphoma, mast cell tumors, oral melanomas, etc.)
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Vision or hearing loss
- Urinary tract issues (incontinence, infections, etc.)
- Heart disease
- Incontinence
- Canine cognitive dysfunction (CDD)
- Arthritis
- Obesity
- Gum disease
- Liver disease
Some of these conditions can be diagnosed during the wellness exam, but others require X-rays, blood work, urine testing, or some other form of diagnostic testing. The good news is that many of these health problems are reversible, such as obesity, or can be managed with medication or some other form of treatment.
