猫10岁算老年、大狗8岁就步入老年：兽医协会说老年宠物一年至少看两次兽医
美国兽医协会（AVMA）的老年宠物手册先回答一个问题：宠物多大算老。猫的界限相对统一，10岁以后算老年；狗按体型分，小型犬（20磅以下）8到11岁，中型犬（20到50磅）8到10岁，大型犬（50到90磅）8到9岁，巨型犬（90磅以上）6到7岁，背后的算法是狗进入预期寿命的最后25%就算步入老年。照片里这只拉布拉多属于大型犬，8岁上下就该按老年犬来照顾了。
照顾方式的第一条是把兽医检查加密。AVMA 说老年宠物一年至少看两次兽医，检查比年轻时更细，通常包括验血、针对老年常见病的专项检测和口腔检查，必要时拍牙科X光。癌症是老年宠物绕不开的风险，它是近半数老年犬的死因，10岁以上猫的死因里约占三分之一，早发现才有处理余地。
体重是第二个要盯住的指标。肥胖会抬高关节炎、糖尿病、心脏病和高血压的风险，而老年宠物又容易掉肌肉；反过来，老年猫突然消瘦往往是出问题的信号，甲状腺功能亢进、癌症、糖尿病和肾病都是常见原因，一发现体重突然变化就该联系兽医。
家里也可以动手改。关节炎让宠物躲楼梯、上下车困难，可以铺防滑垫、加宠物楼梯或坡道、换矫形床和抬高食盆；视力和听力退化后不要随便挪家具。AVMA 提醒，年龄本身不是病，把检查、体重和居家环境三件事跟上，老年宠物照样能过得舒服。（来源：美国兽医协会）
Cats Are Seniors at 10 and Large Dogs at About 8: AVMA Says Senior Pets Need a Vet Twice a Year or More
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in its senior pets brochure, starts with a basic question: when is a pet old? Cats are generally considered senior after 10 years of age. Dogs are counted by size, because they are considered senior in the last 25 percent of their estimated life span: small or toy breeds under 20 pounds at 8 to 11 years, medium breeds of 20 to 50 pounds at 8 to 10 years, large breeds of 50 to 90 pounds at 8 to 9 years, and giant breeds over 90 pounds at 6 to 7 years. The yellow Labrador in the photo is a large breed, so senior care starts at about age 8.
The first change is more frequent veterinary care. AVMA says senior pets need to see a veterinarian twice a year or more, and the checkups go deeper than a young pet's visit, typically including bloodwork, testing for age-related conditions and a dental exam, sometimes with dental X-rays. Cancer is the risk that cannot be ignored: it is the cause of death in almost half of dogs and about a third of cats over 10 years old, and regular checkups can catch problems before they become serious.
Weight is the second number to watch. Obesity in older pets is linked to a higher risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, while senior pets also tend to lose muscle mass. The opposite change is a warning sign too: sudden weight loss in a senior pet, especially a cat, often means something is wrong, with hyperthyroidism, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease among the common causes.
The home can be adjusted as well. For arthritis, which can make a pet avoid stairs, running, jumping or getting into cars, AVMA suggests orthopedic beds, raised feeding platforms, pet stairs and ramps, and nonslip mats. Pets losing sight or hearing do best when furniture stays where it is. Age itself is not a disease, AVMA notes, and with checkups, weight control and a safer home, senior pets can stay comfortable and active. (Source: American Veterinary Medical Association)
来源：美国兽医协会
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：一只上了年纪的黄色拉布拉多犬趴在石板地上休息，口鼻周围毛色已发白。Wikimedia Commons 图片。 / Photo: An aging yellow Labrador retriever resting on paving stones, its muzzle graying. Image via Wikimedia Commons.
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