--- title: "Senior Pet Health: How Dogs and Cats Age" id: "108794" type: "post" slug: "senior-pet-health-how-dogs-and-cats-age" published_at: "2019-01-24T16:32:41+00:00" modified_at: "2019-01-24T16:32:41+00:00" url: "https://petlandoklahoma.com/2019/01/24/senior-pet-health-how-dogs-and-cats-age/" markdown_url: "https://petlandoklahoma.com/2019/01/24/senior-pet-health-how-dogs-and-cats-age.md" excerpt: "How do we extend our animal companion’s lives and make them as healthy and happy for as long as possible? It is very important to understand that aging itself is not a disease. It’s a complex biological process driven by..." taxonomy_category: - "Blog" --- [Home](https://petlandoklahoma.com/) / [Blog](https://petlandoklahoma.com/blog/) / [Blog](https://petlandoklahoma.com/category/blog/) / **Senior Pet Health: How Dogs and Cats Age** [Blog](https://petlandoklahoma.com/category/blog/) # Senior Pet Health: How Dogs and Cats Age January 24, 2019 · 3 min read · [cosmick](https://petlandoklahoma.com/author/cosmick/) [Stay connected via Google News Follow us for the latest pet updates and guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=petlandoklahoma.com) How do we extend our animal companion’s lives and make them as healthy and happy for as long as possible? It is very important to understand that aging itself is not a disease. It’s a complex biological process driven by your pet’s **genetics, environmental factors, nutrition, lifestyle and stress level.** ## **Signs of Aging** First, we need to understand our pet’s life stages. Particularly, when they enter their senior years and the decline of their physical condition, organ function, sensory and mental function and immune response. Just like humans, this is when the risk of health issues such as arthritis, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, thyroid conditions and diabetes increases. ***Pets age much the same as we do but at an accelerated rate. To help offset the faster aging process and detect age-related diseases and conditions early, most veterinarians recommend healthy senior dogs and cats be examined every six months.*** The earlier your pet’s health problems are identified, the more options you and your veterinarian have to cure them, slow their progression or help keep them comfortable. How do you know when your pet is reaching this milestone in life? This chart, provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association ([AVMA](https://www.avma.org/Pages/home.aspx) ), provides a great guideline. ### Age: Human Equivalents for older pets Enjoying this read? You'll love our puppies. Adorable, vet-checked pups looking for their forever homes — available now. [Meet our puppies](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/) One of the first things to expect when your pet reaches its senior years are degenerative changes like **arthritis.** He may not be able to walk as far or play as long and might tire more easily. He may have difficulty getting up or finding a comfortable position to sleep in and become reluctant to go up and down stairs or get in and out of the car. Work with your veterinarian to determine what can be done to help your pet with these changes. **Age Related Changes** **Do not give human pain medications to your pet** without first consulting your veterinarian. Some human products, including over-the-counter medications (such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen), can be fatal for pets. Over-the-counter pet supplements, ***containing either glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate or Omega fatty acids may help relieve the symptoms of arthritis in dogs.*** **Other signs seen by owners and associated with aging might actually be health problems.** These signs include **bad breath, cognitive changes, reduced appetite, drinking more than normal, urinating more often and urine leakage.** Dismissing these signs can result in a missed opportunity to help your pet. If you notice any of the above symptoms or other changes in your pet’s normal behavior, report them to your veterinarian as quickly as possible Still reading? Our puppies are waiting. Healthy, happy pups ready to meet their families — see who's available today. [Meet our puppies](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/) Meet Petland’s Consulting Veterinarian, Dr. Thomas Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH: ###### Dr. Edling received his BS in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1981 and his degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Colorado State University. He previously served as Vice President of Veterinary Medicine for Petco and was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. In addition, Dr. Edling completed the American Board of Veterinary Practitioner’s residency program for Companion and Wild Avian Medicine and Surgery, at North Carolina State University, where he also received his Master in Specialized Veterinary Medicine (MSpVM) in 2001. In 2011, Dr. Edling completed the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Johns Hopkins University. As a veterinarian, Dr. Edling works closely with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV). [Stay connected via Google News Follow us for the latest pet updates and guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=petlandoklahoma.com) Available Now## If you loved this, you'll *love our puppies* Meet the happy, healthy pups ready to join your family today — browse the whole litter below. [Browse all puppies](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/) - 105 views Petland Tulsa ## [Hannibal Lecter - Male #4216](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/beabull/beabull-4216/) ### [Beabull](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/beabull/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [918-303-7387](tel:918-303-7387) - 77 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Pippa - Female #4439](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/french-bulldog/french-bulldog-4439/) ### [French Bulldog](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/french-bulldog/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 134 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Callie - Female #4476](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/cavapoo-2nd-gen/cavapoo-2nd-gen-4476/) ### [Cavapoo 2nd Gen](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/cavapoo-2nd-gen/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 126 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Primrose - Female #4472](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/pembroke-welsh-corgi/pembroke-welsh-corgi-4472/) ### [Pembroke Welsh Corgi](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/pembroke-welsh-corgi/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 130 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Juniper - Female #4470](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/jack-russell-terrier/jack-russell-terrier-4470/) ### [Jack Russell Terrier](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/jack-russell-terrier/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 159 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Buttercup - Female #4469](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/english-bulldog/english-bulldog-4469/) ### [English Bulldog](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/english-bulldog/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 135 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Bubbles - Female #4468](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/english-bulldog/english-bulldog-4468/) ### [English Bulldog](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/english-bulldog/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 120 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Chopper - Male #4466](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/chow-chow/chow-chow-4466/) ### [Chow Chow](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/chow-chow/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 140 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Cleo - Female #4465](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/chow-chow/chow-chow-4465/) ### [Chow Chow](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/chow-chow/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 157 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Dimitri - Male #4463](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/dachshund/dachshund-4463/) ### [Dachshund](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/dachshund/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 130 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Lainey - Female #4462](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/labrador-retriever/labrador-retriever-4462/) ### [Labrador Retriever](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/labrador-retriever/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) - 179 views Petland Oklahoma City ## [Clementine - Female #4461](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/cane-corso/cane-corso-4461/) ### [Cane Corso](https://petlandoklahoma.com/puppies-for-sale/cane-corso/) [Get My Info](#petInquiry) [405-467-7387](tel:405-467-7387) Loading more pets… You've reached the end. 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I’ve been thinking about adopting so I stopped in the other day to ask some questions. A young man named terry helped me and he was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I will be back! Posted on Google Daniel Quill Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been really unsure about what pet I should bring home as I’ve recently experienced a loss & didn’t know what kind of companion would support me best. A worker by the name of Terry listened to my concerns with compassion & grace. He matched me with the best fury friend I could have ever asked for. Great service!! Highly recommend!!! Posted on Google Tavian McMartin Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and i stopped in to look at puppies to expand our family, and we were met with a welcoming environment, and some of the friendliest staff weve had the privilege of meeting. They were very attentive, and helped us find our dream puppy! Shout out to Terry for treating us like long time friends, and for making it a smooth process. We wish we could give more than 5 stars! Posted on Google joseph Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Terry was a big help. Would recommend this store Posted on Google Tom Autry Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Terry was a big help and very knowledgeable. Will definitely be returning when I’m in the market for a new pet Posted on Google John Jones Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Staff was nice and animals were even better it was a nice experience in there Posted on Google DarkInsticts 2 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I wanted to say it was my first time in petland because I just got a dog I couldn't have been more happy with all they had and the staff were so helpful in telling me what my dog is going to need and want so thank you Posted on Google Alex Johnzon Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I went in the other day and was in awe of the animals they were all so pretty and taken care of. I was expecting it to smell and be loud like a pound, but the animals all were happy and I loved to interact with the animals Posted on Google Corbin Franks Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Awesome experience they took care of us the whole team was awesome and very friendly! Verified by Trustindex Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more ```