‘Bella has been lying on her back by the window lately, staring at the window, and walking much slower than before.’ California pooper scooper Emily has noticed a sudden change in her 12-year-old golden retriever. This is not an exception – more than 50 million families in the United States have pets, nearly half of the pets have entered the middle and old age. What should American owners do when their furry children start to ‘silver hair’? This guide will give you the answers.
1.How old is a pet?
In the American Veterinary Medical Association standards:
- 🐶 Small and medium-sized dogs enter early adulthood at age 7; large dogs are considered senior at age 5.
- 🐱 Cats need special attention after the age of 11.
- 🐇 Rabbits’ joints begin to deteriorate after age 5
Note: Mixed-breed pets usually age 1-2 years later than purebred, and indoor cats live 3-5 years longer than stray cats.
2, the 5 most common signs of aging reminded by American Pet Hospitals
- Mobility Difficulties: Can’t jump up on the couch? May have arthritis (about 65% of older dogs in the U.S. have the disease)
- Cognitive deterioration: Barking in the middle of the night for no reason? Possible dementia in dogs and cats
- Metabolism slows down: gaining weight without changing food intake? You need to switch to low-calorie prescription food
- Sensory decline: slow response to calls (more than 80% of old cats will lose hearing)
- Abnormal Behaviour: Failure to eliminate at regular intervals may be a urinary tract disease.
3. Essential Senior Pet Care Kit for American Families
① Dietary Upgrade Programme
- Choose dog food with glucosamine (e.g. Hill’s j/d)
- Cats need high-fibre coatifying formula (recommend Purina Pro Plan)
- New York veterinarian Dr. Smith suggests, ‘Salmon oil 2 times a week for a 40% improvement in joint care’
② Home modification tips
- Add a pet ramp to stairs (Chewy sells a non-slip model)
- Use an automatic heated sleeping pad (Amazon search for ‘senior pet heated bed’)
- Litter box no more than 8 inches high
③ Exercise prescription
- 15 minutes of water treadmill training per day (Petco offers special classes)
- Switch to sniffing puzzle toys to burn off brain power
- Customised senior dog yoga programme (YouTube search for ‘Senior Dog Yoga’) Fourth, how to choose the most cost-effective pet insurance in the United States?
As measured by Consumer Reports:
✅ Embrace: covers ongoing treatment for chronic conditions
✅ Healthy Paws: reimburses 90% of medical exam costs
✅ Figo: includes hospice services
Note: Make sure to include ‘age-related terms’ when purchasing, some companies have restrictions on pets over 10 years old.
4.A Warm Farewell: A Guide to Hospice Services for Pets in the U.S.
When medical treatment fails, 92% of veterinarians in the U.S. recommend:
- Contact Lap of Love for in-home hospice services
- Choose to have a memorial diamond made after cremation (Heart In Diamond starts at $1200)
- Attend Pet Loss Support Group (ASPCA offers free counselling)
Ending:
‘Bella now uses a custom memory foam mattress and looks forward to salmon snack time the most every day.’ Emily said with a smile. Every wrinkle in an older pet is a mark of love, and science-based care can help make their ‘silver years’ more comfortable. What are some special care tips for your old baby? Feel free to share your American pet experience in the comments section!
