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The
outward signs of human aging are obvious: graying
hair, wrinkles and slackening skin. However, aging
is not always so apparent when it comes to our
pets…especially cats. As pet parents, it's important
to recognize our aging pets and nurture them
accordingly. This issue of the HealthyPetNet News
will educate you on pet aging: what to look for and
how to combat it.
What is Aging?
According to Webster-Merriam, the definition of
aging is: to become old: show the effects or the
characteristics of increasing age. Scientifically
speaking, the process of aging is largely recognized
as unstable molecules called free radicals that
attack the healthy cells in our bodies and damage
them in a process called oxidation. Rust on a nail
is a metaphor for oxidation; the rust damages the
nail and eventually destroys it.
Although free radicals are created in the body
naturally, they also come from the external
environment. For instance, the exposure to
pollutants and over-exposure to sunlight are two
factors that encourage the growth of free radicals.
Oxidation is a natural process that all living
things must undergo. Nothing lives forever. However,
the process of oxidation can be slowed. There are
superhero molecules known as antioxidants that
combat free radicals, thus protecting normal cells
in the body. Though the body produces some of these
superhero molecules naturally, others must come from
your pet's diet. Antioxidants include vitamin C,
vitamin E, and beta-carotene. They come in many
forms and can be found in vegetables, fruits and
even certain meats and fish.
Did You
Know…
Large breed dogs age faster and have a shorter
lifespan than smaller breeds. For instance, the
average lifespan of the Great Dane is about nine
years. Small breed dogs can live into their
twenties, although the average is closer to 13
years.
Did You Know…
Cats can live to be 30 years old, though in reality
the average lifespan is about 15 years. Genetics,
diet, environment, exercise and veterinary
preventative care affects how long cats can live.
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5 Signs of an Aging Pet
If your pet doesn't get gray and wrinkles, how will
you know he is aging? Below are the telltale signs
of aging for dogs and cats. Please note that it's
much harder to detect an aging cat as opposed to an
aging dog because cats often conceal their age.
1. Is your pet stiff?
Has your dog or cat grown more sluggish over the
years? You may have to think about that because an
animal slows down over time and we just get used to
it. Do you find that your dog is slow in getting up
to greet visitors? Does your cat leap onto the
counters less often than she used to? When you throw
a ball, does your dog get up slowly before he races
after it? You get the picture. These are telltale
signs of aging. With time, weight on the joints can
cause damage. The larger the pet, the more stress on
the joints. There are approximately 14 million dogs
with joint challenges and most veterinarians agree
that most cats over 12 years old show signs of
unhealthy joints. The earlier you intervene in this
often painful process, which only gets worse with
age, the better. Keep your dog's nails trimmed for
good balance. Watch his weight and start a new
anti-aging program filled with health-promoting
foods. Increasing exercise is invaluable to a
stiffening pet. Take your dog for walks. Cats love
to play with a fishing pole that has something
dangling from it. Finally, nutritional joint support
supplements are also a must. |
