Most people do not know how to treat their pets when their pets needs them most. Surprisingly, alot of people do not even have the education or knowledge on how to care for their pets. The pet's life might be endangered if the owner do not has the knowledge. For this follow the following :

What to expect and how to improve/maintain quality of life with your pet.

Dogs and cats age much quicker than you and I. Their development from puberty to adulthood takes place over a period of 18-24 months (vs about 21 years in people). After that time, each year if a pet's life is equal to about 4 years of a human life (not 7 years as is commonly thought). So, a 16 year old Sheltie is the equivalent of an 80 year old person (not 16 X 7 = 112 human years!). The average life span of a cat is about 14 years (we see lots of cats well into the teens and early 20s). The oldest cat reported was 37 years! The average life span of a dog is about 13 year (small to mid size dog) although smaller dogs often live well into their teens. The oldest dog reported was 29.5 years!

How old is your pet? Check this chart Aging is influenced by your pet’s:

Size and breed (smaller pets tend to live longer),

• Environment (outdoor, free roaming pets are at greater risk of infectious disease and trauma like being hit by a car),

• Nutritional status (obese pets have some very significant health risks),

• Disease status (diseases of vital organs like the heart, lung, kidney and liver are more common in the older pet as these organs are prone to wear and tear as they age).

In general, animals 7 years of age and older are considered at risk for age-related problems.
To improve/maintain the quality of your older pet’s life, it’s important to recognize “aging” problems early and to manage these before they become bigger problems.
Their are several common problems that occur as your pet ages.

The most effective way to prevent this is with a reduced calorie senior diet and adequate exercise.

This is the most important thing in creating weight loss. Your cat should be on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. There are specific high-protein feline diets available at your veterinarian or you can make your own.
Homemade Cat Weight-Loss Diet 80% poultry/egg 20% veggies 250mg calcium 1/2 Theragran or One-A-Day, (human vitamin/mineral tablets) 1/2-1 tsp flaxseed oil. (or fish oil if the cat will accept it) 500mg taurine
Pulverize the vitamin/mineral tablets and mix well with the remaining ingredients. This can be stored in the refrigerator, if warming with a microwave, be careful to avoid “hot spots”. It may be made tastier by adding a small amount of garlic powder.
Your dog’s diet should also change. I have had good luck with commercial weight-loss diets higher in fiber, but I have also seen good success with homemade diets higher in protein and fiber, lower in carbohydrates and fat. Homemade Dog Weight Loss Diet Macaroni 2 cups Carrots 2 cups Chicken (no skin) 1/3 lb One-a-day vitamin 1 tablet Calcium carbonate (Tums) 1 teaspoon or 1 tablet Ground Flax Seeds 4 teaspoons
Cook all ingredients and mix together to produce a mash. The average 20lb dog should consume 2.2lbs of this recipe daily (2 cups).

The most common cause of vision loss is due to senile cataracts.
Cineraria has been effective in reducing the size of some cataracts and decreasing cataract formation. To make a sterile eye solution, purchase sterile saline from a pharmacy. Using the tincture dilute the mixture with ½ saline and ½ cineraria. Apply 1 drop twice daily to the affected eye, being careful not to contaminate the eye dropper. This must be used for 3 months before evaluating its effectiveness

This tends to be very gradual in the aging animal. Recommendation:

• Appreciate that hearing loss is gradual.

• Older dogs may bite if startled (they can’t see or hear as well).

• Warn children and others not to go near a sleeping dog. Wait until the dog is awake and approach him or her to say hello.

This is a particular concern in cats, where their sense of smell is critical to enjoying a meal.
Recommendation:

• Feed a highly nutritious, well-balanced diet and enhance the odor of food to encourage the older pet to ear. How? Warm canned food (20-30 seconds in the microwave), sprinkle with garlic powder (not salt), use more canned food to encourage the picky eater.

As your pet ages, its immune system becomes less effective and lumps and bumps become more prevalent. Common dog lumps are lipomas (benign fatty tumors) and sebaceous cysts (a skin gland that blocks up).
STIMULATE THE SKIN’S IMMUNE SYSTEM. Vitamin E and essential fatty acids are great for boosting your pet’s skin immune function: give 100 IU per 10 lbs of body weight daily of Vitamin E. For dogs use ground flax as the essential fatty acid source, giving 1 teaspoon per cup of dog food. For cats use fish oil, giving one 250mg capsule daily.

Older pets are more likely to develop heart murmurs and lung problems. They may cough, wheeze, pant more and seem short of breath with activity.

Recommendation:

• Twice yearly examinations by your veterinarian are recommended. If your pet is developing heart or lung disease, finding it and treating it early will improve their quality of life. There are new heart drugs available to help our aging pets live longer and better lives.

The first sign of kidney problems may be a pet that drinks more and urinates more. The pet may lose its appetite, vomit or become sluggish. Older animals have more problems with urinary tract infection and some older female dogs develop urinary incontinence (bed-wetting).
FLUID, FLUID, FLUID. The most important thing that you can do for your pet with renal failure is to maintain adequate hydration. Offer lots of fresh water. If your cat isn’t a great water drinker, then make the switch to canned food.
LOWER PROTEIN AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS. Newer research has shown that the most important thing to restrict in early kidney failure is phosphorus. This mineral speeds up destruction of the remaining kidney cells. Stop all dairy products as they are very high in phosphorus. Feed a specific, moderately reduced protein diet, such as a premium quality senior diet, in the early stages. As kidney failure advances, switch to a restricted protein diet, available from your veterinarian. Here is a sample homemade low-protein, low-phosphorus diet:

SIGNS

Your pet has bad breath with yellow or brown teeth. His gums may be red and he may have difficulty chewing.

CAUSES

Pets don’t brush their teeth and dental problems are the result. Plaque, a thin coat of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth, it progresses to tartar, leading to gum inflammation. Bacteria also grows under the gum-line, causing gum infection (gingivitis) which can lead to tooth loss if not treated. Cats are prone to a specific type of dental problem called a FORL (Feline Odonotocalstic Resorbptive Lesion). This is equivalent to a cavity where the tooth decays at the gum line.

SOLUTIONS

DENTAL DIET. Ensure that your dog eats a dry kibble with larger pieces that have to be chewed. Some food companies now produce specific dental diets which will lower tartar buildup. They are more abrasive on the teeth and some contain an enzyme which lowers tartar formation. These foods are available at your local veterinarian.
NATURAL DIETS. Raw meaty bones and windpipes from cows or pigs can help keep teeth clean. If your dog splinters and swallows large pieces of bone, he is at risk of obstruction, so don’t give him bones. Some cats love chicken necks. To rule out the risk of Salmonella (a bacterial infection), put the bones or windpipes in boiling water for 30 seconds first.
IN THE GARDEN. Raw vegetables, such as carrots are a great, low calorie treat which can help clean the teeth. If your dog likes them, then feed away.

SIGNS

Your pet cries or strains when passing stool. The stools are hard and dry. Your pet has not had a bowel movement in 48 hours.

CAUSES

Dogs often become constipated after a feast on bones. Older pets, especially cats, get constipated due to decreased activity and lowered fluid intake. Some pets, such as Manx cats, are prone to constipation. Male dogs may get an enlarged prostate gland which can obstruct the colon, also leading to constipation.

SOLUTIONS

BULK UP. Additional dietary fiber is key to having normal stools. For dogs, ground flax seed is a great source. I give 1 tsp per cup of dog food. Metamucil is another effective source. Give 1/2tsp per 10lbs of body weight daily. It can be made tastier by adding it to canned food. For cats, the most successful remedy I have used is canned pumpkin. I give 1 tbsp twice daily and find that several cats eat it willingly.

Aging in both people and pets may cause changes within the brain. There is an actual drop in the weight of the brain and the way it processes information. Older pets may seem confused or disoriented. They may sleep more, lose housetraining, or become disinterested in their environment and sometimes their owner.

Recommendation:

• Be patient with your older pet!

MELATONIN. Frequently used for older pets that have trouble getting to sleep and pace at night: for dogs give 50ug per lb of body weight given 1 hr before bedtime and on an empty stomach. Try it for 2 weeks to assess if it is working.
PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE. A supplement used in people with cognitive dysfunction. Give 50mg daily per 10 lbs of body weight.

CAUSES

Diabetes is a result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin to allow the body to utilize blood glucose (sugar). This results in high blood sugar levels causing increased drinking and urination. Some dogs and cats are genetically at risk of developing diabetes. Pets that are obese, especially cats, are at higher risk.

SOLUTIONS

TO THE VET. If you suspect your pet is diabetic, have this confirmed by your veterinarian. Most dogs have to be regulated with twice-daily insulin therapy. Most cats begin with insulin, but with some diet alterations may come off insulin therapy.
HERBAL THERAPY. A number of herbs are used in diabetes. These include Gymnema, Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, and Ginseng. These herbs can be found in specific diabetic herbal combinations. Ginseng is the most effective of these herbs. It has been shown to lower blood sugar in people, and is believed to do the same in animals. The dose is 30 mg per lb of body weight twice daily of the dried herb, or 1 drop per lb of body weight twice daily of the tincture.

SIGNS

Your pet seems generally sore; has difficulty getting up after sleeping, and has occasional lameness; he has trouble jumping up or climbing stairs; sometimes you can move the joints and hear crunching.

CAUSES

It will happen to most of us. Our joints age and lose their protective covering or cartilage. When this happens, bone rubs on bone, leading to osteoarthritis. In some pets, arthritis can be secondary to a ligament injury, producing joint instability. This often happens with the knee, secondarily there are cranial cruciate ligament strains or tears.

SOLUTIONS

IT’S IN THE CARTILAGE. GLUCOSAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE is the most important supplement to add to your pet’s diet. The dose is ¼ of a 500mg tablet once daily per 10 lbs of body weight. It helps to rebuild the cartilage and delay further cartilage breakdown. It can come in a variety of combinations. An effective one I have used is called K-9 MX, which contains: Elk Velvet Antler, Collagen Type II, Hyaluronic Acid, Neutrophils, Pantocrine, Alkaline Phosphates, Bone Morphogenetic, Glucosamine Sulphate, Herparan Sulphate, Keratan Sulphate, Dermatan Sulphate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulphate, Uronic Acid, Boswellia Serrata, White Willow Bark, Yucca Root, Devil's Claw, Sarsaparilla, Feverfew, L-Proline, Bromelain, Omega 3-6 Fatty Acids, All Essential Amino Acids, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron and Zinc. Other supplements such as Glyco-Flex, contain green lipped mussel, which is similar to glucosamine. Glucosamine can be given in combination with chondroitin as this supplement may improve the effectiveness of glucosamine.
METHYLSULFONYMETHANE. MSM is a supplement, found in some plants such as Horsetail. It works by reducing inflammation in the joints by acting as an antioxidant. The MSM dosage is 50mg per 10lbs of body weight daily.
ACUPRESSURE. GB 41, located on the bottom of the foot, in the depression of the two outside toes, and is especially good for arthritic pain in the hips. LI 4, located on the front foot, over top of the two inside bones above the toes (metacarpals) is an important point for pain relief, especially for shoulders.
pet is a precious members of your family. Regular checkups with your veterinarian, proper nutrition, grooming and exercise, and some minor home and environmental modifications or restrictions can help keep your senior pet healthy and safe for years to come. A “baseline” blood and urine profile is highly recommended once your pet reaches the age of 7. This gives you an excellent baseline as to your pet’s current health and serves as a benchmark for any changes that develop over the years. Pets are an important part of our lives and family – they deserve the very best.