It may feel like it started overnight. Your once agile puppy seems to wake up one morning and not really be able to go up the stairs, get on the couch, or jump in the car. Sometimes the early signs of arthritis can be as subtle as not being able to go for the long walks they once enjoyed. If you have noticed one or more of these signs, your dog may have arthritis.

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, a month that reminds us of all the incredible advantages that come with welcoming a senior dog or senior cat into your family.

When you adopted your new kitten several years ago, you likely took steps to “kitten proof” your home and make it safer for your new furry family member. You may have relocated breakable décor, locked up cleaning chemicals, and become better about not leaving hair ties lying around for your cat to find. Now, as your feline friend is getting older, you probably don’t need to worry so much about them getting into things they shouldn’t.

Did you know that the Blue Cross has found that domesticated cats can live to 20 years of age? That’s great news for all of us in the cat-crazy crowd but, as veterinarians, these findings also motivate us to share awareness on how to care for senior cats.

Let's get one thing straight—kittens are universally adored because, dang, they're cute. They are playful, mischievous, and there always seems to be a smile associated with watching a kitten play with a paper ball or following a laser pointer. But here you sit, thinking about adopting a senior cat? How did I know this? You would not have clicked on this blog if you weren’t debating the idea.

The effects of aging tend to sneak up on all of us—even our pets—but because they happen so gradually, they can be easy to miss. If your dog is starting to bump into objects around the house or your cat isn’t spending as much time in her favorite lofty perch, a few environmental changes may be in order.

If you have a senior cat, you may wonder what sort of special care they could need. Do they have different dietary requirements? What about their overall health and mobility? And perhaps, most of all, what defines a “senior cat”?

Have an older pet at home? 

Just like humans, pets can develop a number of new health issues as they enter their senior years. Often attributed to simply “slowing down,” it is not uncommon for many of these age-related problems to go untreated or even unnoticed. However, many of these changes can be effectively managed with proper veterinary care.

Common age-related medical issues in pets include: