As our dogs age, their bodies stop working as well as they used to. The joints get stiffer, the brain isn’t as sharp and bodily systems run less efficiently, potentially causing discomfort or bigger health problems.

As pet owners, we work hard to keep our dogs healthy so they can live a long, happy life. Unfortunately, many health problems are out of our control, and the diagnoses can be scary.

Most domesticated cats can live to be around 15 years old, and sometimes even longer, depending on their health. But a lot can change in your cat from the time it is a kitten, enters adulthood and becomes a senior cat.

Cat eyes are universally recognizable. Large and wide, with a slit-like pupil, they are constantly observing their surroundings or staring us down. 

We often recognize the effects aging has on the human brain, but many pet owners don’t realize that the same thing can happen to our pets. As cats age, their bodies will start to slow down, and sometimes, so will their mind. A decrease in cognitive function known as brain aging or cognitive dysfunction can be stressful for your pets and can also put stress on you and your family.

Your relationship with your cat only gets better with time! You spend years bonding—playing, petting and snuggling—as your cat becomes an integral part of your life. After years and years, your bond is like no other. It’s one of the joys of being a pet owner!

Your dog is getting older and as they do, you want to be on the lookout for potential health concerns that may impact their quality of life in their later years. Cancer is one such disease your dog can develop as they age and it’s a leading cause of death in older canines. In some cases, cancer is treatable, but it needs to be caught early on. Here are 10 of the most common signs of dog cancer developing in your aging pup:

Watching your beloved dog grow up is a marvelous thing—from its playful puppy years, to its loyal adult years, and finally, to its senior years. Older dogs, typically aged seven or older, are considered “senior” dogs. At this point in their life, senior dogs will have changed dramatically both inside and out, and it’s our job as pet owners to cater to these changes.

For many dogs, their years of running, leaping, bounding and rolling around take a toll on their bodies, specifically their joints. As they age, previously-active dogs may become sluggish, lethargic, slow to move or completely inactive. A common cause of this inactivity is arthritis.