At what age will your animal companion enter his golden years? It all depends on size and species:

• Cats begin to exhibit age-related changes between the ages of 7 and 11 years.
• Most dogs enter their golden years around 7 to 10 years, although larger breeds generally show signs of their age a bit earlier.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY PET IS GETTING OLDER?

Some signs of aging are subtler than others. You may notice that your furry senior citizen's hearing may not be as acute as it once was, his coat may be thinner or starting to gray, and he may take a little longer to get up and out of bed in the mornings. He may sleep more and tire out faster during play sessions. These are all natural signs of aging.

CHECK-UP CHECKLIST

It's smart to bring any pet for a veterinary checkup at least once a year. Once your pet enters his senior years, however, you may want to increase this frequency to twice a year. This can help identify a problem before it becomes a more complicated one. Many health issues may arise as dogs and cats age, including:

• kidney and liver disease
• more frequent intestinal problems
• prostate disease and testicular cancer (common in unneutered males)
• breast cancer and infected uterus (common in unspayed females)
• external tumors (both benign and malignant)
• dental problems (don't let bad breath go unchecked!)
• obesity
• arthritis
• diabetes
• constipation

Always be on the lookout for red-flag symptoms such as lumps and bumps anywhere on the body, shortness of breath, coughing, and changes in you pet's daily routines and habits. Drastic fluctuations in appetite, weight, or water intake are a cause for concern. Note behavioral changes, too -- such as increased vocalization and uncharacteristic aggression -- which could indicate that something is amiss physically. If you think your pet may be sick, don't hesitate to call the vet. When an older companion animal develops a medical problem, it's more likely to be serious. This makes a prompt diagnosis especially important.

FEEDING YOUR OLDER PET

Many of the metabolic, immunologic, and body composition changes that your pet will go through are unavoidable. For instance, many pets experience a waning appetite as they get older. To get your pet excited about eating again, consider warming his food up a bit for him before serving it. If you feed dry food, try adding a serving of wet food two or three times a week. If your pet has had teeth removed, a swap to canned food only could be easier on his mouth, thus restoring his interest in food.

Many other problems can also be managed with diet. Experts recommend that you start cats and most dogs on a senior diet around seven years of age. Large and giant breeds may be transitioned to a senior food around ages five or six.

Companion dogs and cats can put on body fat in spite of consuming fewer calories, so it's important to offer a food that's lower in calories. Unfortunately, many senior formulas not only have reduced calories but also reduced levels of protein. Read labels and take care to avoid these foods, as your pet will need the same levels (if not greater levels) of protein to maintain muscle mass in his golden years.

By law dog food labels must list the minimum amounts of fat and protein, as well as the food's ingredients. Ingredients are listed in descending order according to weight. Although this may seem rather straightforward, watch out for similar ingredients that are listed separately. The first ingredient may be chicken (a food high in protein), but the corn and corn gluten could combine to significantly outweigh the chicken. Since the weight of all ingredients also includes water, the amount of protein could actually be a lot less prevalent that it appears.

When modifying your pet's diet, AniMed suggests doing so gradually. A finicky cat who doesn't appreciate the change in routine may refuse to eat -- and this could lead to the serious hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver syndrome. Toy dogs who go too long without eating can suffer from hypoglycemia. Abrupt changes in diet can also result in stomach upset and diarrhea for any animal. Try introducing the new food over a one-month period by mixing it in with the old food at increasing percentages each week.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS FOR GOLDEN OLDIES

Talk to your vet about increasing your older cat's vitamin E intake. Along with beta-carotene, vitamin E can boost the immune system and help eliminate free radicals that can cause tissue damage and signs of aging.

Our animal friends can become less flexible as they age. Years of wear and tear on bones and joints can break down cartilage, possibly leading to arthritis. If your pet seems to be suffering, supplemental glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can help. Some senior diets contain these ingredients, but the amounts in food are usually negligible. Ask your vet for the proper dosage amount for your pet.

Aging can take a toll on your canine senior citizen's intestinal bacteria, resulting in GI upsets.

Fructooligosaccharides and gamma-linolenic acid supplements can promote the growth of friendly flora and help maintain skin and coat. Acidophilus also offers these benefits.

TLC 101

You may notice that your older pet is more sensitive to extreme temperatures, so keep him warm in the winter and cool in the summer. An extra blanket or fluffy pillow can go a long way to make your pet more comfortable. Be especially gentle when brushing your pet, too, and pay extra attention to those hard-to-reach places that may be difficult to reach during self-grooming. This will be especially helpful to animals with less efficient digestive systems, for whom hairballs pose a problem.

SAME OLD, SAME OLD

Your senior friend relies on his daily routine. He will appreciate your efforts to keep it consistent. Try to avoid stressful situations and abrupt changes in your pet's regular routine and environment. Keep your home obstacle-free, and stick to your walking and feeding schedules. Is your cat's litter box easily accessible? If not, you may want to move it to a spot that's easier for him to enter and exit.

With plenty of tender loving care and an eye to the future, you can help your companion grow old gracefully. His golden years could even be the best years of your friend's long life.

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