The aging process begins at birth and continues throughout life. Many factors play a role in how long our beloved pets live and the quality of life they experience at every stage of that life. Genetic factors can play a significant role in a pet’s lifespan and quality of life, and Guardians have little control of that factor.
However, the Guardian family can influence many factors in a pet’s life. Recognizing the life stages pets experience and providing for the specific needs of that life stage is critical for a long and happy life.
Many Guardians are unaware that veterinarians consider a cat to be a senior between 8 and 10 years of age, even though more and more cats live to 20 and beyond. That means that cats can spend half their life as a senior.
Early recognition of a pet is entering a more mature stage in life, and addressing the specific needs early is key to slowing the effects of age on the body and assuring a long, healthy, and happy senior lifestyle.
