Cats Are Seniors at 10 and Large Dogs at About 8: AVMA Says Senior Pets Need a Vet Twice a Year or More
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in its senior pets brochure, starts with a basic question: when is a pet old? Cats are generally considered senior after 10 years of age. Dogs are counted by size, because they are considered senior in the last 25 percent of their estimated life span: small or toy breeds under 20 pounds at 8 to 11 years, medium breeds of 20 to 50 pounds at 8 to 10 years, large breeds of 50 to 90 pounds at 8 to 9 years, and giant breeds over 90 pounds at 6 to 7 years. The yellow Labrador in the photo is a large breed, so senior care starts at about age 8.
The first change is more frequent veterinary care. AVMA says senior pets need to see a veterinarian twice a year or more, and the checkups go deeper than a young pet's visit, typically including bloodwork, testing for age-related conditions and a dental exam, sometimes with dental X-rays. Cancer is the risk that cannot be ignored: it is the cause of death in almost half of dogs and about a third of cats over 10 years old, and regular checkups can catch problems before they become serious.
Weight is the second number to watch. Obesity in older pets is linked to a higher risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, while senior pets also tend to lose muscle mass. The opposite change is a warning sign too: sudden weight loss in a senior pet, especially a cat, often means something is wrong, with hyperthyroidism, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease among the common causes.
The home can be adjusted as well. For arthritis, which can make a pet avoid stairs, running, jumping or getting into cars, AVMA suggests orthopedic beds, raised feeding platforms, pet stairs and ramps, and nonslip mats. Pets losing sight or hearing do best when furniture stays where it is. Age itself is not a disease, AVMA notes, and with checkups, weight control and a safer home, senior pets can stay comfortable and active. (Source: American Veterinary Medical Association)
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：一只上了年纪的黄色拉布拉多犬趴在石板地上休息，口鼻周围毛色已发白。Wikimedia Commons 图片。 / Photo: An aging yellow Labrador retriever resting on paving stones, its muzzle graying. Image via Wikimedia Commons.
