Monitor Their Diet
Most mammals—humans
and pets alike—tend to gain
fat and lose muscle as they
age. But there’s no universal
rule for tweaking pet food
intake accordingly: Some ani-
mals need fewer calories and
more protein and fiber; others
may need the reverse. And
the “senior” label on pet food
has no legal definition, so it
can mean different things
depending on the brand.
Bottom line: Talk to your vet
at each checkup about health
and behavioral concerns,
including what and how much
your pet is eating.
Increase Vet Visits
As they age, some pets may
lose their sight or hearing,
contract arthritis, or develop
heart, kidney, or liver disease.
Almost half of dogs over age
10 will develop cancer (less is
known about the rate of can-
cer in cats). Pets can also
develop cognitive dysfunc-
tion. Twice-yearly vet visits
can help you detect early
signs of certain diseases,
many of which can be treated
with a combination of pre-
scription drugs, supplements,
and lifestyle changes, such
as making your cat’s litter
box more accessible or pro-
viding a heated bed for your
arthritic dog.
Ask the Tough
Questions
Whether to let go of a furry
family member is a heart-
breaking decision to make,
but if your pet is seriously ill,
an honest evaluation can
help you and your vet deter-
mine if it’s time. Use an online
quality-of-life scale that takes
into account appetite, mobil-
ity, and pain; try the ones on
lapoflove.com. (Have kids
over age 5 participate in this
conversation so they don’t
feel blindsided by the deci-
sion.) If you choose to eutha-
nize, ask your vet about
at-home services, which can
be more comfortable for a pet
who’s struggling to move.
OUR EXPERTS
RAELYNN FARNSWORTH, DVM, CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT WASHINGTON STATE
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
MARY GARDNER, DVM, COFOUNDER OF LAP OF LOVE VETERINARY HOSPICE IN JUPITER, FLORIDA
DEBORAH LINDER, DVM, VETERINARY NUTRITIONIST AND RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
AT CUMMINGS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY
COZY BED
Help alleviate aches and
pains with a soft spot
that warms to your cat’s
body temperature.
TO BUY: K&H Pet
Products Thermo-Kitty
Heated Cat Bed, from
$45; amazon.com.
HEAVY LIFTER
Hoist your dog in and out
of the car and up and
down the stairs with this
padded foam harness.
TO BUY: Web Master Har-
ness, $60; ruffwear.com.
ACCESSIBLE BOWLS
Make mealtime more
comfortable with
elevated food and water
dishes that help
prevent neck strain.
TO BUY: Pawfect Pets
Elevated Dog & Cat Diner,
from $30; chewy.com.
HELP SENIOR PETS GET THE MOST OUT OF THEIR GOLDEN YEARS.
By Juno DeMelo
Pet Tricks
The Tools
Want to adopt a senior pet? Follow Susie’s Senior Dogs on Facebook or
Instagram, or choose “senior” in the drop-down age menu on petfinder.com.
GETTY IM
AGES; PRODUCT IM
AGES COURTESY OF M
ANUFACTURERS
76 REAL SIMPLE NOVEMBER 2019
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