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Pet Aging

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Best friends tell each other everything, right? But what if yours can’t speak? Your dog may be your best friend, but they will not always tell you when they are in pain. Part of their animal instinct is to stay strong to keep up with their pack. This means your dog might try to hide their hurting from you. Be on the lookout for these physical and behavioral signs that your dog is in pain.

<ul><li>Limping </li><li>Panting </li><li>Shaking </li><li>Walking slower </li><li>Reluctance to use stairs </li><li>Struggling to lie down or get up </li></ul>

<ul><li>Isolation </li><li>Aggression </li><li>Restlessness </li><li>Lack of appetite </li><li>Excessive licking </li><li>Excessive vocalization </li></ul>

You know your dog best. Physical or behavioral changes that stray from their normal personality may be a sign that they are uncomfortable. If you think your dog is in pain, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Pay close attention to how frequently you notice these signs, and make note of what your dog is doing when you notice. Keeping a record of these, and even taking pictures or videos, may help your veterinarian understand why your dog is in pain. 
This pain may be the result of an acute or chronic health issue. Acute health issues are temporary, such as an upset stomach, ear, skin, and urinary tract infections, or strained muscles. Chronic health issues could range from arthritis to cancer. Whatever the scale of your dog’s health issue, your veterinarian will be able to help. 
Once your veterinarian determines the source of your dog’s pain, they will guide you through the next steps. They could recommend simple modifications of physical activities, like taking them on shorter walks. They might also recommend changes to your dog's diet, or raising their food bowl to a more comfortable height. More involved treatment plans could include supplements, medication, or surgery.

Your best friends deserve the best, so it is imperative that you know their subtle signs of pain. Your dog can’t speak to you about their pain, but you can notice, and you can speak with your veterinarian to help them.

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Recognize the Subtle Signs of Pain

As your cat ages, it may not be as agile. Cats love to climb to higher places. They may not be able to climb or jump as easily as they once could. Adding steps or ramps can help your cat reach their favorite places. You can also help your cat by lifting them up.

Cats still need exercise in their older years. <a data-sys-entry-uid="blt80afed233313f97b" data-sys-entry-locale="en-us" data-sys-content-type-uid="blog_entry" sys-style-type="link" class="embedded-entry" type="entry" href="/learn/article/interactive-toys-definition-and-benefits">Interactive play</a> is one way to keep your cat exercising. The playtime doesn’t have to be strenuous. Short bursts of play are one way to help. Interactive play encompasses a wide variety of activities from chasing toys, climbing up a tower, to running through obstacles. Regular exercise can help your cat from becoming overweight.

Puzzle feeders provide a lot of benefits to cats. They create mental stimulation and encourage physical activity while your cat figures out how to get the food out of the feeder. 
It is important for your cat to stay hydrated. As they age, cats may not drink enough water if their water bowl is distant from where they tend to roam. Place water bowls in strategic locations. If your house is multi-level, consider leaving a water bowl on each floor.

Similar to water bowls, it is a good idea to have multiple litter boxes throughout the house, especially on separate floors. As your cat gets older, they may have a harder time reaching their litter box if it is not easily accessible. If the litter box has high sides, the cat may no longer be able to get in. It’s best to have a litter box with a low entrance on one side. Your older cat may need a larger litter box. Ensure your cat can comfortably enter, exit and has plenty of room to turn around in their litter box.

As your pet gets older, it can be challenging for them to deal with temperature changes. It’s best to keep a consistent temperature in the house. During colder months, add extra blankets to their bedding. Cats like to sleep in warm places.

Your cat may have poor vision as it gets older. Nightlights can help your older cat navigate at night. Soft lights near their food and water bowls or litter boxes can help your cat in commonly used areas.

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Keeping Your Aging Cat Comfortable at Home

A 2019 <a href="https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6763" target="_blank">study from the American Animal Hospital Association</a> shows that, on average, mixed breed dogs live longer than their purebred counterparts. Purebred dogs may have shorter lifespans due to inbreeding. Purebred dogs are bred for specific physical features, but they also pass down genes for illnesses that may reduce their life span.

Because of the variety and scope of differences within the categories of mixed breed and purebred dogs, it may be more helpful to use other metrics to gauge your dog’s life expectancy. There are a lot of different types of breeds within the umbrella categories of “mixed” and “pure” breed dogs. A purebred Bichon and a purebred Great Dane are grouped together under this large umbrella, for example. But these two breeds have greatly different life expectancies.

Knowing your dog’s breed can give you a wealth of information, one piece being estimated life expectancy. The American Kennel Club’s (AKC) website has profiles of breeds recognized by the AKC with the typical life expectancy of that breed. 
The information on the AKC website is particularly valuable for people who own purebred dogs. If you own a common mix, like a goldendoodle or teddy bear (Bichon and Shih Tzu mix), you might be able to find some estimates on their life expectancy. If you don’t know what breed your dog is, there are other factors to consider when thinking about your dog’s life expectancy.

On average, larger dogs are observed to have shorter life expectancies than smaller dogs. Take the Great Dane versus a Bichon: the AKC lists their life expectancies as 7-10 years and 14-15 years, respectively. On the low end of the ranges given by the AKC, Bichons are expected to live twice as long as a Great Dane. This trend holds true when comparing life expectancies of multiple breeds.

Like in humans, your dog’s general wellness plays an important part in determining how long they live. Making sure your dog receives all of his vaccinations, gets a nutritious diet, and exercises regularly will all positively affect his lifespan.

Determining how long your dog will live is not an exact science. Further, many of these factors are out of your control. As a pet owner, you can't change your dog’s genetic predispositions, nor can you readily change environmental factors like air quality. The most impactful thing you can do for your pet is to continue to ensure their overall wellness and quality of life.

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Do Mixed Breed Dogs Live Longer?

Puppies are born without teeth, and develop them when they are about three to four weeks old. They continue to grow their puppy teeth for the next three to five months. Puppies have 28 teeth, most of which are sharp. Puppies do not have molar teeth, so they may not eat a lot of crunchy or hard food. Puppies lose their teeth similarly to humans as a natural part of growing up. Most puppies form their permanent teeth between three to <a data-sys-entry-uid="blteb4b14921f8deac5" data-sys-entry-locale="en-us" data-sys-content-type-uid="blog_entry" sys-style-type="link" class="embedded-entry" type="entry" href="/learn/article/what-to-expect-in-teething-puppies">seven months old.</a>

An adult dog will have 42 permanent teeth. The upper jaw has 22 teeth and the lower jaw has 20. While it is normal for puppies to lose their teeth, it is not normal for adult dogs to lose theirs.

The three most common reasons for dogs to lose their teeth are periodontal disease, trauma, and tooth decay. 
Periodontal disease results from inflammation in the gums together with inflammation of the dog’s bone and tooth structure. It can lead to decaying gums and teeth. Periodontal disease is often the result of improper dental care. 
Trauma to the teeth can cause your dog’s teeth to fall out. This could come from a head or mouth injury, or simply from chewing. Chewing on dense objects or bone mineral is one of the most common causes of fractures in dog teeth. 
Tooth decay is common in dogs. Besides eating, dogs use their teeth to pick up things, chew things to soothe themselves, or carry items around. Smaller dogs may be more prone to tooth decay. Tooth decay is painful and decayed teeth may need to be removed.

If your dog is losing its adult teeth, you should contact your veterinarian. It is important to help them maintain proper dental <a data-sys-entry-uid="blt4662254d12932055" data-sys-entry-locale="en-us" data-sys-content-type-uid="blog_entry" sys-style-type="link" class="embedded-entry" type="entry" href="/learn/article/toothbrushes-to-toys-dental-care-for-your-dog">hygiene</a> and remove teeth if needed.

Pet Aging

Recognize the Subtle Signs of Pain

Tips to Make Moving Easier on Your Cat

More Than a Meow

Keeping Your Aging Dog Comfortable at Home

How to Keep Your Dog Moving in Old Age

Can Dogs Lose Their Teeth?

Do Mixed Breed Dogs Live Longer?

Keeping Your Aging Cat Comfortable at Home