Pet owners’ devotion to their companion animals is evidenced in the lengths modern pet parents go to keep their furry friends happy and healthy.

A recent survey from GOBankingRates found that 70 percent of pet owners spent between $600 and $1,200 on their pets in 2023, which underscores how important companion animals are to the people who take care of them.

Millions of pet owners might admit there’s no limit to what they would do to protect their pets, but even the most devoted dog owner or cat caregiver recognizes that age can catch up to companion animals.

Much like humans can’t stop their own bodies from aging, pet owners have little recourse against Father Time when it comes to caring for their pets.

The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that cats and dogs are living longer now than ever before, so it’s good for pet owners to familiarize themselves with common health issues that can affect older pets.

Senior pets

The AVMA notes that cats are generally considered “senior” after 10 years of age. It’s a little harder to pinpoint when dogs enter their golden years, as the size disparity between breeds affects their senior status, or lack thereof.

The AVMA notes small or toy breeds (less than 20 pounds) acquire “senior” status between eight and 11 years of age; medium-sized breeds (20 to 50 pounds) between eight and 10 years of age; large breeds (50 to 90 pounds) between eight and nine years of age; and giant breeds (more than 90 pounds) between six and seven years of age.

Cancer and senior pets

The AVMA reports that cancer is the cause of death in roughly 50 percent of all dogs and around one-third of senior cats. Cancer in pets may produce a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Abdominal swelling
  • Bleeding from the mouth or nose or other body openings
  • Difficulty eating or swallowing
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Lumps, bumps or discolored skin
  • Sores that will not heal
  • Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
  • Decreased appetite or body weight
  • Swelling, heat, pain, or lameness that cannot be explained

Additional issues affecting aging pets

Though cancer is responsible for a significant percentage of deaths among senior cats and dogs, it’s not the only issue that can affect aging pets. The AVMA notes a number of common health problems affect pets as they age, including:

  • Heart disease: The Animal Medical Center, a New York-based nonprofit organization, notes degenerative valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and heartworm disease are common types of heart disease in dogs. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common heart disease found in cats.
  • Kidney or urinary tract disease: The Veterinary Diagnostic Library at Michigan State University notes that chronic kidney disease affects up to 10 percent of aging dogs and 35 percent of aging cats.
  • Liver disease
  • Diabetes: The AVMA reports that diabetes is most often diagnosed in dogs between the ages of seven and 10 and in cats older than six years of age.
  • Joint or bone disease
  • Overweight or obesity
  • Vision or hearing loss: The AVMA notes senior pets can develop cataracts that affect their vision and may not respond as well to voice commands as they did when they were younger.

Cats and dogs are living longer. Pet parents can prepare for their pets’ golden years by learning about common ailments that affect aging animals.