(Memphis 11/11/2009) Pets are our pals.
We know they'll leave us some day, but what if you could prolong when that day comes? Better yet, what if you could extend your pet's life by a couple of years or more?
New science and old-fashioned common sense are combining now more than ever before.
Memphis veterinarian Dr. Chuck Halford has noticed dogs and cats are living longer. "I guess you could say 14 is the new 11," he said.
In fact, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates there are 13 million 'senior' dogs and 12 million 'senior' cats in the United States. (10 years or older)
TOP TIPS
1. Annual Check-ups. They can prevent all kinds of expensive problems later. These days, many exams now include bloodwork which can diagnose things such as Cushings Disease and diabetes.
2. Keep their teeth clean. Memphis vet Dr. Halford says a little brushing with a gauze sponge on a regular basis is all it takes to keep a dog's plaque in check. Doing so can prevent heart and kidney problems. Regular cleanings are still necessary, but with many dogs, only every few years.
3. Regular walks and/or exercise.
4. 'Slow to Grow.' The thinking about the puppy stage is changing. For bigger dogs especially, it's more of a two-year process. Also, high protein food can actually grow their skeletons too fast and cause problems later.
5. Think Slim. Underweight, SLIGHTLY underfed dogs are living two years longer than overweight dogs. You shouldn't be able to SEE their ribs, but you should be able to FEEL them.
CATS
Some of the same rules apply such as weight and kittens not growing too fast. But vets say one of the biggest things you can do to extend a cat's life is keep them inside.
DOG'S AGE 'CALCULATOR'
There's a new calculator for figuring out how old your dog is in human years. It used to be you simply multiplied by 7. No more.
Experts now suggest a much better barometer is the following:
12 'human' years = dog's first year.
12 'human' years = dog's second year.
4 years for each year after that.
We know they'll leave us some day, but what if you could prolong when that day comes? Better yet, what if you could extend your pet's life by a couple of years or more?
New science and old-fashioned common sense are combining now more than ever before.
Memphis veterinarian Dr. Chuck Halford has noticed dogs and cats are living longer. "I guess you could say 14 is the new 11," he said.
In fact, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates there are 13 million 'senior' dogs and 12 million 'senior' cats in the United States. (10 years or older)
TOP TIPS
1. Annual Check-ups. They can prevent all kinds of expensive problems later. These days, many exams now include bloodwork which can diagnose things such as Cushings Disease and diabetes.
2. Keep their teeth clean. Memphis vet Dr. Halford says a little brushing with a gauze sponge on a regular basis is all it takes to keep a dog's plaque in check. Doing so can prevent heart and kidney problems. Regular cleanings are still necessary, but with many dogs, only every few years.
3. Regular walks and/or exercise.
4. 'Slow to Grow.' The thinking about the puppy stage is changing. For bigger dogs especially, it's more of a two-year process. Also, high protein food can actually grow their skeletons too fast and cause problems later.
5. Think Slim. Underweight, SLIGHTLY underfed dogs are living two years longer than overweight dogs. You shouldn't be able to SEE their ribs, but you should be able to FEEL them.
CATS
Some of the same rules apply such as weight and kittens not growing too fast. But vets say one of the biggest things you can do to extend a cat's life is keep them inside.
DOG'S AGE 'CALCULATOR'
There's a new calculator for figuring out how old your dog is in human years. It used to be you simply multiplied by 7. No more.
Experts now suggest a much better barometer is the following:
12 'human' years = dog's first year.
12 'human' years = dog's second year.
4 years for each year after that.
