How old is your pet in human years?

Dogs age differently according to their size. The larger the dog, the smaller the life span and the faster it will cycle through all the changes we know as growing old.

A small breed is considered to be up to about 30 lbs body weight, medium is up to 60 pounds and large is from 60 pounds to 80 pounds. Certain breeds such as Great Danes, Newfoundlands, and Wolfhounds, are considered to be Giant breeds and their life span is even shorter.

Your dog's age in human years

In this table the dog’s age is on the left and the human equivalent is on the right.

The aging cat

Every veterinarian is familiar with the following history:

An older cat is brought to the clinic because it's appetitive is poor. The owners are aware that the cat has lost weight but it has happened so slowly, family members thought it was just getting old. It may have begun to urinate more and drink more water. Otherwise, it’s the same kitty, i.e., it likes to sleep a lot. Is something wrong?

Because cats are secretive by nature, and are great nappers, most owners are not aware of early signs of illness. It is only when something dramatic happens, like weight loss, or lack of appetite that we become concerned. What that means to veterinarians is that kitty can no longer hide it's illness and is often already in an advanced state of disease.

Unlike dogs, cats give few outward signs of illness. That is why a proper series of blood tests are so valuable in detecting early signs.

Some common warning signs:

• Increased thirst
• Change in litter box behavior
• Change in food preference
• Halitosis
• Change in hair coat
• Growths or lumps

The aging dog

Because dogs are so “person-oriented”, we tend to become more aware of early signs of illness. However, they are also more active and more attention is required to problems of wear and tear—bones, joints, muscles, heart, teeth, digestive tract. Dogs also suffer from breed-specific problems which can affect their health.

What to do for both dogs and cats

The “wellness” profile gives us a more complete picture of your pets overall health. It also provides a baseline for comparison with future profile results. If your pet is over 7 years of age and has not had a wellness profile in the last year, we recommend that you call us to discuss the benefits of this testing for your pet.

As pets age, they develop different nutritional needs. These pets may need different amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Our hospital is running a “Celebrating Seniors!” program next month. Clients who have a “wellness” profile (blood and urinalysis) done on their senior pet, will receive a complimentary bag of the Medi-Cal diet that best meets their pets nutritional needs.

Please call our hospital staff—we’re here to help with all your pet’s health needs. 604-929-3491