By Dr. Morris Samson, Kingston Road Animal Hospital, with Joanne Ingrassia
For Beach Metro – January 28, 2003 issue

Just like so much of our human population that is graying around the temples, more pets than ever are getting older and living longer, too, due to medical interventions and a human population that cares more to keep their pets with them as long as is comfortably possible.

In the past, some pets were euthanized for behavioral changes often caused by older age, such as lack of bladder of bowel control, deafness, blindness, or serious diseases such as cancer or heart problems. Now, more people are accepting greater responsibility for their aging pets and are prepared, emotionally and financially, to provide more care.

Pets undergo a lot of the same kinds of changes that come with aging as humans do, becoming more susceptible to things like heart, liver or kidney diseases, diabetes or cancer. They can become deaf, blind, obese, or endure a number of other changes. There is even a form of Alzheimer’s that affects animals that can cause your pet’s behavior to change. Fortunately, specially formulated food products and medicines for a wide variety of conditions and diseases can contribute to helping pets age more comfortably.

Since pets age much quicker than humans, every pet should be seen at least once a year by a veterinarian, while older pets (7 years for dogs and cats) should be examined twice a year. Whenever something significant changes in your pet’s behavior, or just don’t seem right, never hesitate to consult your veterinarian. Preventative care is far less expensive and less wearing on your pet than waiting for something major to occur in the state of their health. And catching conditions or possible diseases early can contribute to a better success rate of recovery or at least management of the condition.

There are lots of ways to continue to enjoy the wonderful companionship of pets, but you do need to take a pet’s aging into account. While you need to keep a closer watch on your older pets, following a few simple guidelines for their care can provide you with a longer-lasting relationship with your pet.

• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current. (There is currently a serious problem in Toronto with a bacteria causing kidney failure in dogs, called Leptospirosis, which can be passed on to humans, too. Vaccinations are critical to prevent the further spread of this disease.)
• Make sure your pet has regular veterinary examinations, preferably twice a year for older pets. (February is older pet clinic month at Kingston Road Animal Hospital)
• Administer all prescribed medications, whether preventative or to deal with a particular condition or disease
• Regular hygiene care should include brushing, nail clipping and teeth brushing
• Make sure fresh water is always available and watch your pet’s consumption. If they start to drink far less or much more water, it should be reported to your veterinarian as it could indicate potential medical conditions. The same holds true for their food consumption.
• Lots of mental stimulation through play for both dogs and cats is essential to keeping your pet happy, and it helps with problems associated with aging, too.
• Walk your dog more often but for shorter periods of time, especially during winter weather when animals should not be outside for long periods of time
• Make sure your older pet is not overwhelmed by strangers or small children who might startle or unknowingly irritate your pet with sudden or quick movements

Keeping these guidelines in mind, you can look forward to enjoying many years of wonderful companionship with your pet… as you both age.