THE RISKS WITH AGING

1. Obesity is one of the single most important risks to the health of the older dog or cat. The tendency for the older pet to gain weight is the result of a slowing of the body's metabolism the same time that activity level decreases. Obesity is unhealthy in any pet, but is especially harmful to an older animal's joints, heart and other organs.
2. Because your pet's metabolism is slowing, you may notice an increasing intolerance to heat and cold. This happens because your pet is now producing less of the hormones that are critical for maintaining the body's normal temperature, regardless of the outside air temperature.
3. Tooth loss and serious gum infections become more common as pets age. The loss of teeth is a problem; difficulty chewing food may result. However, the spread of bacteria from the mouth into the pet's bloodstream when infections occur around the teeth is an even more serious risk to the older pet's health. Tumors of the mouth and gums also become more likely with advancing age. Brushing or cleaning your pet's teeth regularly with a toothbrush and special pet toothpaste (toothpaste for people should not be used) may be recommended. It may be advised that your pet's teeth-and-gums be professionally cleaned by your veterinarian, as yours are by your dentist.
4. Skin problems may occur more frequently because the older pet's skin is less elastic and repairs itself less rapidly. Hair loss is usually more pronounced because hair follicles are less active in later life. The functioning of the skin's immune system slows down and tumors within and under the skin become much more likely.
5. Your pet's senses of sight, smell, taste and hearing will diminish to varying degrees as time passes. Many pets adapt to these losses very well, although some decrease in appetite may occur when taste and smell is affected. For such pets, a highly nutritious, well balanced diet is a must. Certain diseases of the eyes, like glaucoma and cataracts are more likely in aged pets, and infections or tumors of eyes and ears may also be serious problems.
6. If your pet has not been neutered earlier in life, problems with various reproductive organs may occur later. Infection of the uterus is particularly likely in intact older female dogs and cats, and unneutered male dogs frequently develop infections or tumors of the prostate gland. Breast tumors almost never occur in females spayed at a young age, but are a very serious health problem for older unspayed females. The older pet may remain fertile well into old age, and unwanted pregnancies in senior females may be detrimental or even life threatening. Diseases of vital internal organs like the heart, lungs, kidneys and bladder occur more frequently in the older dog and cat. These organs have been working continuously for many years and will work more slowly or less effectively than before. Therefore, a complete health assessment of the senior dog and cat will include considerable attention to these organs and even dietary recommendations to promote health. If your older pet eats a food formulated for a much younger animal, the higher amounts of nutrients such as protein, phosphorus and sodium (salt) in those foods play harm the body over time. For this reason care must be taken to feed a food with proper levels and balance of all nutrients, including protein, phosphorus, and sodium, for your pet's life stage.

Senior Pets | Managing the Risks With Aging