Search Results for: blog help your senior pet live longer

The Longevity of Pets

If you’re planning to live to be a hundred, you might want some company. Pets are living longer lives these days, too! The number of dogs and cats living into their twenties (and beyond — there are accounts of cats living into their thirties!) may be indicators that the life spans of our beloved companion animals are increasing. If you’re interested in a long-lived pet, here are some things to consider: Size matters. The largest dog breeds are often the ones with the shortest life spans. One heartbreaking example is the Irish wolfhound, with a life span around 6-8 years … Continue reading →

The Old Brown Dog Ain’t as Brown as He Used to Be

I was over at a friend’s house yesterday. Hadn’t been over in a few weeks, and was surprised at how grey her dog’s muzzle had gotten. I commented on it, and she agreed that the change had come quickly. While I was outside with my own dogs, I noticed how much Moose’s coloring has changed over the last few years. His chin was the first to start going grey; the color has advanced down his muzzle. But that’s not the only change. His snout used to be nearly all black — now it’s a mix of brown and black. His … Continue reading →

Skin and Coat Care for Senior Pets

Did you know that the skin is the heaviest organ in your pet’s body? It can account for an average sixteen percent of your pet’s total weight! What does the skin do? Prevents water loss Allows us to perceive touch Allows swelling after injuries Protects against impact and friction injuries Protects against damaging UV rays Helps regulate body temperature Acts as the first line of defense against germs, bacteria, parasites, and other disease-causing organisms. Skin and coat care is important for pets of all ages — but especially for the senior pet. Taking care of your aging pet’s skin and … Continue reading →

Pets Can Have Senior Moments, Too!

Senior pets — generally, that means pets over the age of seven, but it varies depending on species, breed, and size — can suffer from a lot of the same problems senior humans do. That includes the dreaded, embarrassing, or frustrating “senior moment”. What’s a senior moment? It’s a cute name for a somewhat disturbing problem. Your brain just won’t feed you the information you need — even though you KNOW you know it. Some senior moments are innocent; others are indicators of a more serious memory issue in action. For pets, a senior moment may lead to a lost … Continue reading →

The Subtlety of Pets and Health

We recently had a guest at the cats-only boarding facility who was very sick. We just didn’t know it. This particular cat is one who comes to stay with us every few months. She’s an older lady of fourteen, with no apparent health issues and a love of a good brushing. As compared to other guests, she’s a quiet one. She’s happy to curl up on her fleece blanket most of the day, watching the world go by. But out of nowhere, she threw up one morning. A few days after that, one of my coworkers noticed a strange smell … Continue reading →

When a Dog Goes Blind

My next door neighbor’s dog, Simba, has had a rough road lately. First he was diagnosed with diabetes and Cushing’s syndrome, then shortly after that (not even a week later) he went blind. How They Knew Simba Was Blind When I was little, our family dog Mike went blind. I don’t remember exactly when it happened or how we knew. I’m fairly sure my dad was the first to notice it. I got to thinking about that because I asked my neighbors how they figured out Simba was blind. It’s not like he can just shout all of a sudden, … Continue reading →

Pre-Dementia is on the Rise

A study from the Mayo Clinic looked at a mild type of memory loss that may precede Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers looked at approximately sixteen hundred adults between the ages of seventy and eighty-nine living near the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. All of the study participants had normal mental and memory function when they joined the study; within a year, more than five percent had developed some impairment. Men in the study were twice as likely as women to develop memory impairment. However, women often live longer and therefore have more time to develop memory issues. Researchers called this … Continue reading →

Boarding an Older Pet

At the cats-only boarding facility, we see guests of all ages from playful kittens to sedate seniors. But if you own a senior pet, you may have more prep work before you board your cat or dog. Older pets often have more health issues than a young or adult (non-senior) pet. Your senior pup or kitty may not have the energy for long walks or hours of play. Your pet may have a health condition that requires daily medication, or a special diet. Some pets only need medication when they exhibit certain symptoms. Here are a few things you may … Continue reading →

Figuring Out What Fido Is: Doggie DNA Tests

About a month ago Murph and I ran into a neighbor, Marlene, and her dog Zeus. Zeus is a very big dog (I want to say in the 100 pound range) and a mix of some sort. Maybe Saint Bernard, maybe Newfoundland, maybe even Lab. Marlene’s not quite sure…but she now has a way to find out. Unlocking The Genetic Safe to Determine a Dog’s Breed She told me about a company called MetaMorphix that sells a DNA testing kit specifically designed to determine a dog’s breed. It’s called the Canine Heritage Breed Test. You order the kit online (costs … Continue reading →

Senility On The Rise In Dogs and Cats

Humans aren’t the only ones who have to worry about senility. Dogs and cats can suffer from cognitive dysfunction syndrome, also known as senility or dementia in humans. As dogs — and cats — live longer, owners are starting to see more issues that never used to be a problem. Why? Because the pets used to never live that long! Cats and small dogs are living to see twenty; medium and large dogs are reaching their teens. This is all thanks to improved nutrition, better veterinary care, and home environments. Recent research shows that nearly a third of dogs ages … Continue reading →