Approximately 66% of households in the U.S. own a pet, and the American Veterinary Medical Association recently reported that pets are living longer now than they ever have before.
While the guidepost varies for when cats, dogs and other pets are considered senior-aged, there are many ways to stay on top of their health. Kristi Flynn, an associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, shares how pet owners can support their furry friends along the way.
Q: What should I pay attention to as my pets age?
Dr. Flynn: Aging pets need support for their physical and emotional well-being. You know what is normal for your pet and can make note of deviations from their usual routine. Be mindful of ins and outs and any changes as this can be an indicator of overall health and function. Watch for changes in how they interact with their environment and find new and creative ways to keep them engaged. For example, instead of long walks at a fast clip, focus on allowing ample time for your dog to smell what interests them, or allow them to choose the route and distance.
Q: Do older pets have different nutritional needs?
Dr. Flynn: We recommend all pets have a diet that meets strict criteria, with highly trained nutrition experts helping formulate the food as well as vigilant quality control standards. Puppy and adult foods have specific industry requirements, while senior diets do not. Based on this, if a pet is doing well on a certain diet, we often do not need to change it as the pet ages. That said, healthy adult dogs need to eat a minimum of 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. Similar to humans, protein requirements for pets go up as they age and we recommend 2 grams of protein per pound daily intake to maintain lean muscle mass. Be sure to check with your vet for other recommendations depending on specific health conditions. For example, if your dog is sore enough to require significant exercise restriction, their diet should be modified accordingly.
Q: What are common ailments for older cats and dogs?
Dr. Flynn: Be sure to check for new lumps or bumps when you are petting them and be mindful to feel their entire body periodically. Again, monitoring for an increase in thirst or urination or decreased appetite can help identify a concern earlier. Watch for changes in mobility or interest in their environment. These can be signs of joint, cognitive or organ dysfunction.
Q: How can I keep my pet healthy and active?
Dr. Flynn: We recommend regular, well-controlled exercise as pets age. Walking on flat or gently hilly surfaces is encouraged, and swimming is an excellent activity when weather permits. The objective is to keep the muscles and tendons around the joints healthy so that the joints don't have to deal with excessive forces. In general, more frequent short walks are better than infrequent, long walks.
The most important thing people can do for their pets' long term health is maintain them at a lean, healthy body weight. Any extra weight that is carried around will exacerbate the discomfort and progression of arthritic joints, so maintaining a good body condition score is extremely important. When your dog is at an ideal body weight, you should be able to feel the ribs easily as you run your hand along the rib cage, though the ribs should not be easily visible from afar. Additionally, when viewed from above, you should see a waist on your dog just behind the rib cage.
Q: Are there special treatments that can help senior pets?
Dr. Flynn: Dr. Kara Carmody is an associate professor who is offering outpatient acupuncture treatments as an alternative therapy to treat aging pets’ numerous health conditions. Acupuncture can complement the treatment pets may already be receiving, and is used to treat a wide range of conditions that include musculoskeletal, skin and gastrointestinal problems. As an example, many senior pets develop osteoarthritis which causes joint pain and decreased mobility. Acupuncture can reduce the associated pain, increase mobility, increase energy and improve overall quality of life as the pet ages.
Acupuncture is currently offered at our small animal hospital and at a few locations across the state. As the state’s only veterinary medicine college, we aim to expose the workforce on new techniques and solutions to pet issues, such as acupuncture. Ask your vet if acupuncture is available near you.
Kristi Flynn is an associate professor at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. She is passionate about preventative care; behavior, including the implementation of low-stress handling techniques in the clinic; veterinary dentistry; and nutritional management.
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About the College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine affects the lives of animals and people every day through educational, research, service, and outreach programs. Established in 1947, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is Minnesota’s only veterinary college. Fully accredited, the college has graduated nearly 4,400 veterinarians and hundreds of scientists. The college is also home to the Veterinary Medical Center, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Leatherdale Equine Center and The Raptor Center. To learn more, visit vetmed.umn.edu.
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