“The long sunset”: how to help an old dog and an aging cat
While reading a long piece from Zooinform about the age of our pets, a few numbers caught my attention. According to the article, roughly one in four pets in Russia is older than seven. Seven years is a conventional threshold for statistics and product planning, not the exact moment old age begins: large dogs age sooner, small dogs later and live longer. Pets in general live longer now thanks to better nutrition, accessible veterinary care, preventive checkups, and vaccination.
The article also cites a 2023 census by the Center for the Study of Animal Nutrition and Well-being together with IPSOS: Russia has 49.2 million cats and 25.5 million dogs, and 23% of cats and 25% of dogs are older than seven.
On diet, the author writes that there is no universal “senior diet.” Dogs in early aging lose activity and gain weight easily, and extra weight worsens pain and inflammation in the joints, so lower-calorie rations are often needed. In late stages, the opposite can happen: weight and muscle loss, a weaker sense of smell, and a need for more aromatic, energy-dense food. In cats, chronic kidney disease comes to the fore, so regular checkups and monitoring are essential. One interesting detail: in a Royal Canin study, older cats (average age 11) preferred wet food warmed to about 37 °C, probably because the smell was stronger.
On supplements, the text is honest: omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are the best studied, evidence for many other products is insufficient, and they do not replace diagnosis and treatment. Practical home tips include ramps and steps, orthopedic beds, non-slip mats, and bowl stands.
In the Q&A at the end, healthy young pets usually need just one vet visit a year, while older pets often should go about every six months. Walks should be shorter but more frequent. For me, this piece was a reminder that a pet’s old age is not an illness, but a period you can prepare for in advance.
Source: Zooinform
The article also cites a 2023 census by the Center for the Study of Animal Nutrition and Well-being together with IPSOS: Russia has 49.2 million cats and 25.5 million dogs, and 23% of cats and 25% of dogs are older than seven.
On diet, the author writes that there is no universal “senior diet.” Dogs in early aging lose activity and gain weight easily, and extra weight worsens pain and inflammation in the joints, so lower-calorie rations are often needed. In late stages, the opposite can happen: weight and muscle loss, a weaker sense of smell, and a need for more aromatic, energy-dense food. In cats, chronic kidney disease comes to the fore, so regular checkups and monitoring are essential. One interesting detail: in a Royal Canin study, older cats (average age 11) preferred wet food warmed to about 37 °C, probably because the smell was stronger.
On supplements, the text is honest: omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are the best studied, evidence for many other products is insufficient, and they do not replace diagnosis and treatment. Practical home tips include ramps and steps, orthopedic beds, non-slip mats, and bowl stands.
In the Q&A at the end, healthy young pets usually need just one vet visit a year, while older pets often should go about every six months. Walks should be shorter but more frequent. For me, this piece was a reminder that a pet’s old age is not an illness, but a period you can prepare for in advance.
Source: Zooinform
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