Pet cats and dogs in the UK are now living longer than ever before. This is mainly because domestic pets are better vaccinated and receive more frequent veterinary care than they did several decades ago. Furthermore, today’s cat and dog owners also give their animals more nutritious pet foods.
Senior Pets
A senior pet is one which is considered to be in the last third of his life. For example, if a particular breed of dog has a life expectancy of 12 years, then it will become ‘senior’ when it turns eight. Similarly, a cat that has a life expectancy of 18 years would be considered ‘senior’ when it reached the age of 12.
Diet
Whilst some animals remain healthy and active well into their old age, others experience physiological changes which can be impacted through diet.
In general, senior dogs need a diet which is lower in calories, protein and fat, yet higher in fibre, as most canines become significantly less active in their ‘golden years’. Moreover, obesity can often become an issue for older dogs, as can the risk of kidney failure.
By contrast, senior cats do not need a reduced-calorie diet as they are able to maintain their energy needs right throughout adulthood (in fact, the risk of obesity in cats greatly decreases after the age of 10). Senior cats still need a high amount of protein; however they don’t always absorb fat that well, so they may need more digestible fat in their diets.
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