Animal Chronicles

The Golden Years: A time for deepening our relationships with our pets

by John Thompson


Bodhi’s tail beats against the car seat as I carefully (for him and for me) lift his 70 pounds to the ground, but my mind has skipped back a few years to this exact spot on the beach parking lot. Then, he practically flew from the car and gave his whole being to racing along the surf line, throwing a plume of salt water behind him. Those long legs gave him such velocity. Today, after 15 years of full-speed-ahead living, Bodhi’s arthritis and a tumor on his foot only let him trot with small, mincing steps. The smile on his face, though, is that of the happiest guy on the planet. He doesn’t compare and regret, he is just here in this glorious moment at one of his favorite People who have learned the secret of successfully aging do exactly what Bodhi is instinctively doing. They find joy in the moment and don’t pine for the past. Joining our aging cats and dogs in that attitude is one of the finest gifts we can offer them.

When do our animal companions get old? It’s hard to define age. The body begins wearing down shortly after birth and the component parts degrade at different rates. When bodies are young, the energy and vibrancy of youth masks the decline. If only we could preserve that wondrous state. Of course we can’t stop aging, but for sure, we can try delaying and softening the infirmities.

Many experts say that cat and dog health and longevity come from good genes, nutritious diet, sensible weight, exercise, avoidance of toxins, plus psychological balance. For dogs, throw in size, as smaller dogs generally live longer. Indoor cats tend toward longevity, also. And those charts that compare animal years with human age are generalizations at best. If you really must make the comparison, Purina Mills (the pet food people) has two Web sites where you can complete a detailed checklist to determine an animal’s approximate age. Go to www.catage.com or www.dogage.com.


The joys of older pets

Regardless of the numerical age, as animals grow older their needs, and often their personalities, change. Over the past two years, my Bodhi dog has developed a softer temperament and he asks for more physical contact. It has been a very sweet transition from a gentle, loyal, but independent alpha male to a quiet, more demonstratively affectionate companion, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. He sleeps more and doesn’t go ballistic every time a large bird tries to land near his house. And, please don’t laugh, he seems to be making more of an effort to communicate by staring longer and deeper into my eyes. My heart melts.

Trish King, The Marin Humane Society’s director of behavior and training, says that Bodhi’s behavior is typical of an older animal. “It’s so nice to be able to relax with them,” she says. “It’s like a couple getting older together; they know each other so well that things become smooth as silk.” It’s not called the golden years for nothing!

“Pets are living longer in Marin County because we don’t tend to throw them away,” Trish adds. “A lot of places, people will say, ‘This old animal is useless. Take him to the shelter and let them deal with it.’” Those dogs and cats meet an early, needless death and their people lose out on a rich, cuddly, warm time between lifelong friends.


Recognizing that your pet is aging

Common signs that tell you your pet is entering his or her seniority include graying around the muzzle (frosting on the cake?), lower energy, sleeping more, diminished hearing or sight, and senior moments when the animal seems to forget what he or she set out to do. These are all part of the deal and many pets will also feel more dependent upon you than ever and snuggle closer because of it. Some formerly independent types can even develop separation anxiety over your absence.

Older animals can also develop noise sensitivity and want to hide when familiar sounds, like garbage cans banging or power blowers, intrude. Cats can begin missing the litterbox, so you just lay out a larger perimeter of newspaper. And older animals should never be allowed to wander on their own because they can easily become confused.

Yes, there are the inevitable physical problems, like Bodhi’s arthritis, which is one of the most common ailments in older dogs. Because he exercises less, I have to measure his food carefully so that excess weight doesn’t burden his more vulnerable body. Many veterinarians also recommend altering the diet to provide a base of high-quality nutrients that are more suitable to a slower metabolism, but Bodhi’s doctor also supplements his diet with vitamins and herbs to help bolster his immune system. Be especially careful if you opt for a commercial senior diet, though, as some brands are made with by-products and other inferior ingredients.

Blindness and deafness in older pets is quite common and they are much easier to live with than many people realize, especially if the animal has lost these senses gradually. Blind cats and dogs easily memorize their home’s layout and navigate quite well as long as furniture stays where they remember it. With deafness, tactile communication is important, says Trish. “Just teaching that a touch means to turn toward you is all they need. Pounding the floor with your foot or clapping your hands can often achieve the same thing.”


Health changes often cause behavioral changes

“By far, most of the behavioral problems we see in older pets are caused by physical problems,” says Trish. “People often misunderstand, thinking that everything is behavioral because animals are so stoic. They don’t say, ‘Hey, it really hurts here. I’m getting old.’ So if they have a pain or an ache, it might make them testy.”

Pets can appear to develop stubbornness in their older years, but you have to look deeper, Trish says. “In order for an animal to be stubborn, they must know what you want and be willfully not doing it.” That’s usually not the case.

First, you have to analyze what you want your animal to do, then look for why she isn’t, she cautions. “Look at it from your pet’s point of view, something guardians should be doing throughout their animal’s life. Say she’s resisting going down stairs.

Perhaps her vision is failing and she’s now afraid because she can’t see the bottom anymore.” And, she adds, what you want them to do may be painful. Getting into or out of the car is a typical balking point because it just may be getting too hard on the old joints. Consider helping her by getting a step or ramp. “Sometimes, though, the animal is simply feeling tentative and needs to figure out what she can do and how, so offer some patience,” Trish adds.

With older bodies, extreme temperatures are deadly as they challenge the heart and breathing, and cold is especially painful for those with arthritis. Give your friend a nice warm place to sleep and hang out. Consider a sweater, also. I recently gave Bodhi a coat that buckles on and he wags his tail when I bring it to him.

Soft cushions also feel good to old bones, and don’t let them sleep on hard, cold floors. Even baths with cold water from the hose can be a shock. Besides, seniors don’t need bathing as frequently as it tends to dry the skin too much.


Meeting older pets’ emotional needs

There is also a psychological side to aging, and isolation is an emotional cancer and a silent executioner. Studies of older people often find that feeling cut off is a major factor in declining health. Our animal friends need to feel connected with the people with whom they have lived their lives. Even more than before, they need to feel that they are still a loved and valued part of their family.

One of the hardest tasks Trish has when she counsels guardians of older animals is telling them that their friend is indeed old. “It’s so hard to think that your animal is going to die and you’re going to keep on living without it,” she says. So people often push that thought from their consciousness and aren’t able to provide the emotional support their friend needs. “Let a sleeping dog lie” is not good advice. If life becomes just pain and boredom, even the most positive-mind dog or cat will begin to fade away.

That touches on the question of bringing a new animal into the house as a "companion” for an older pet. Generally, it’s hard on the senior. Sometimes, they will perk up at first and want to play, but that wears off quickly and they just want their old, familiar routine back. Like people, they become set in their ways and want some peace. If you want to provide your pet with a pal, do it earlier in life when they are more adaptable. “Otherwise,” says Trish, “it’s like you’ve had a nice long marriage and then, suddenly, your husband says, ‘Here, Honey, I’ve got a new wife for us.’”

When they can no longer play, take long walks or be cute about getting attention, it takes a caring guardian to make the extra effort to simply be with their pet. Even if it is just holding your friend in your lap or sitting on the floor with her when you’re reading or watching TV, the physical connection is nurturing for both of you. I know that feeling. Just sitting with Bodhi’s head pressed against my leg, perhaps idly stroking his head while reading a book, fills the cup of gratitude to the brim. And it is clear he feels the same way.

John Thompson is a Marin journalist focusing on environmental and animal issues.