A scary part of aging is the reality of eventual death, we know as we consistently get older, it is almost inevitable that we won't die eventually. This same reality holds for our canine friend, regardless of how lovely, friendly, or amazing they are, their eventual departure is almost inevitable.
A pet friend called me today to inform me about the loss of one of his favorite Lhasa Apso who has been faithful to the family. I could hear his children crying over the phone, and I can relate to what it feels like to lose a loving pet, it could be very heartbreaking.
Image creditHumans in their old age require more care and attention, the same thing applies to our pets. They begin to show signs of old age, both physically and mentally, but if we are unable to identify them, then we wouldn't be able to know how to appropriately take good care of them. There are different rates of growth for different pets depending on their sizes and breeds.
A large dog breed, for instance, could be considered old at the age of six, while a small dog may not be regarded as being old until they get to the age of seven to ten.
An observant pet owner would notice some signs of old age in their pet friend, and I believe that should trigger gaining knowledge on how to carefully take care of them at that stage in their life.
However, old age in pets should not create fear in your heart, it doesn't mean the good times you spend with your pets are over, far from that, you just need extra care from henceforth.
Image creditThanks to the improved health care standards we now have, pets are now able to live twice as long as they used to live several years ago. Maintaining the health of your pet is very important, but no matter how healthy your pet is, they will show certain signs of decline as they advance in age.
The health effects that come with aging involve having an increased risk of experiencing disabilities, diseases, and death eventually.
Aging has attached with it a consistent pattern of decline in daily functioning, showing itself in the loss of strength, reduced energy and stamina, and also impaired mobility. After some time, there would be an experienced loss of independence and the ability to perform normal social roles.
Generally, the traits displayed can be divided into contextual and biological factors, of course, some of these factors overlap here and there. Biological factors include chronic low-grade inflammation, diseases that are associated with age, fatigue, declining cardiopulmonary capacity, loss of muscle strength, and serious adverse effects that come with medical treatments.
Image creditContextual factors, on the other hand, encompass other characteristics of the social and physical environment. Activity declines with age, and clinical disorders come in the form of pain, fatigue, and low energy.
Similar to what aged humans experience, pets also experience neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal diseases, linked with a great decline in their activity.Although, while humans experience atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, pets experience other forms of degenerative cardiac disease like chronic valvular disease and other age-related health problems.
Unlike dogs, cats have a universal age for seniority, usually after ten years. When caring for older pets, certain considerations must be made:
Older pets require more food that can be digested easily, provide energy levels based on requirements, and have anti-aging nutrients.
Older pets will need to see their vets more often, this way, signs of illness will be noticed on time and treated before it becomes a major problem.
Older pets need more veterinary care; this way, symptoms of sickness would be identified on time and treated appropriately before they become a big issue.
The immune systems of older pets are not as strong as they used to be when they were younger, this means they will no longer be able to fight off diseases as usual.
There are certain exercises that older pets need to engage them through positive interactions to keep them active.
It becomes a problem when older dogs gain weight a lot, while for cats, there is a problem when they lose weight.
A different form of vaccination is now required, and you can get that when you speak with your vet to guide you appropriately on the right track.
Older pets may need a change in environment, relaxing and sleeping areas.
The demands and lifestyle of older pets are different from younger ones. If you want to enjoy the old age of your pet with them, then you need to pay a visit to the veterinarian to guide you appropriately.
Sorry to hear about your friend's pet. We become really attached to our pets and their loss feels basically like that of a family member. This is why they deserve the best life we can give them. I don't have any pets now, but I used to have dogs that were really cool companions. Wonderful article detailing the processes of aging in pets.