How to Care for an Senior Pet (and Help them Age with Dignity)
The term “senior” is used to describe the older, aging pet. Because of the variability in aging based on species and breed, there is no specific age for senior status. Moreover, the criteria for senior age status differ for dogs and cats. The 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines define senior as “the last 25% of estimated lifespan through end of life.”1 The 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines and the 2021 AAFP Feline Senior Care Guidelines define senior as cats greater than 10 yr of age.
