How do you know your pet is old?
Cats and dogs are very similar to humans where age is related. As the pets get older they tend to become slow, have grey hairs, skin becomes thinner, they develop wrinkles, some even have hearing and loss of vision. Joint and muscular issues start to develop as they get older. Best care you can give to your older pets is to have regular check-ups with the vet. Due to all the improvements in medications, nutrition, vaccines, therapeutic agents and veterinary care, pets are living longer now than they used to before. In recent years there have been substantial research done on the problems the older pets face and how best the owners and vets should handle their special needs.
How to count your pet’s age?
When you calculate the age of the pet it is according to the breed and size of the pet. This varies, as cats and small dogs are generally considered old at 10 to 11 years of age. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans compared to smaller breeds and are often considered senior when they are 7 to 8 years of age. The first 2 years of a cat and dog take them through adolescence into young adulthood. Contrary to most belief, dogs do not age at a rate of 7 human years for each year in dog years. A 7 year old cat is about 54 years in human age and a 15 year old cat is about 78 years in human age.
Age is not a disease but just a number. Although senior pets may develop age-related problems, good care allows them to live happy, healthy and active lives in their senior years. Just like humans, getting older doesn’t mean life isn’t exciting and fun, there is still so much joy, but interests may change.
