Article: Caring for Your Aging Pets
Use the tables below to help to determine your pet’s
age.
Dog Aging Table
|
Dog Age (Years) |
Equivalent Human
Age (Years) |
|
Dog Age (Years) |
Equivalent Human
Age (Years) |
|
½ |
10 |
|
15 |
73 |
|
1 |
15 |
|
16 |
75-1/2 |
|
2 |
24 |
|
17 |
78 |
|
3 |
28 |
|
18 |
80-1/2 |
|
4 |
32 |
|
19 |
83 |
|
5 |
36 |
|
20 |
85-1/2 |
|
6 |
40 |
|
21 |
88 |
|
7 |
44 |
|
22 |
90-1/2 |
|
8 |
48 |
|
23 |
93 |
|
9 |
52 |
|
24 |
95-1/2 |
|
10 |
56 |
|
25 |
98 |
|
11 |
60 |
|
26 |
100-1/2 |
|
12 |
64 |
|
27 |
103 |
|
13 |
68 |
|
28 |
105-1/2 |
|
14 |
70-1/2 |
|
29 |
108 |
Cat Aging Table
|
Cat’s Age in
Years |
Equivalent “Human
Age” | |||
|
|
Kitten/Young
Adult |
Adult |
Senior(Silver) |
Geriatric(Golden) |
|
1 |
15 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
24 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
28 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
32 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
36 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
40 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
44 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
48 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
52 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
56 |
|
|
11 |
|
|
60 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
64 |
|
|
13 |
|
|
68 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
15 |
|
|
|
76 |
|
16 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
17 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
18 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
19 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
20 |
|
|
|
96 |
|
21 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
22 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
23 |
|
|
|
108 |
|
24 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
25 |
|
|
|
116 |
As your pet ages you’ll notice subtle changes. It’s important to understand normal aging versus abnormal changes in your pet’s health. The aging process is influenced by breed, genetics, metabolism, veterinary care, nutrition, exercise, and whether your pet is an indoor or outdoor pet.
Expect these changes
in your pet:
Your pet will probably want more attention and need an increasing amount of reassurance. Take time to attend to your pet’s needs, particularly veterinary care and changing nutritional requirements, and you’ll have a positive influence on the quality and longevity of his life.
When Should My Pet
Have His/Her First Senior Exam?
Pets of seven years and older are candidates. The frequency will be determined by your pet’s age and health status. We recommend a yearly exam, but since pets age faster than humans, a more frequent schedule may be needed.
How Does a Senior
Health Screen Differ From A
A senior health screen exam involves sophisticated laboratory analysis of your pet’s bodily functions. Tests help diagnosis blood disorders, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, infection, thyroid, and other hormonal problems before they become apparent. Data from senior screening exams shows that more than 22% of senior dogs and 17% of cats that appear healthy, have been found to have significant subclinical disease.
Advances In Pain
Management Treatment Can Help Your Pet:
Does your pet…
If your pet shows any of these symptoms, he/she may be suffering from osteoarthritis, a painful degenerative joint disease. Pets can’t tell you when they hurt. It’s up to you to recognize the signs of chronic pain.
Why Are Pets Living
Longer?
Today, new pharmaceuticals, better nutrition and preventative veterinary care are helping pets live longer than just a few decades ago. Although senior pets may not have the energy of youth, they still have plenty of love and companionship to offer. Make sure your pet’s senior years are happy and healthy by providing the extra attention and veterinary care needed.
Let Dr. Hablinski or any of the staff members at Willis Animal Clinic know if we can be of assistance with your senior pet.