Noting behavior changes can help you improve your geriatric pet’s quality of life and lengthen his lifespan

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

We expect physical changes in pets as they grow older. The muzzle goes gray, the joints get stiff, the eyes become cloudy. But senior and geriatric dogs and cats can also undergo behavior changes. Those changes can sometimes signal underlying physical problems or the onset of cognitive dysfunction.

Anxiety, aggression and changes in housetraining habits are some of the differences you may notice. In some circumstances, they can be surprising, scary or frustrating. The important thing to know is that they aren’t always a normal part of the aging process and should be checked out by your veterinarian. Here are some things you may notice as your pet gets older.

It’s not unusual for aging pets to become anxious about things that never seemed to bother them before. Or earlier in life, their anxiety may have been mild enough that it went unnoticed, but now it has increased in intensity.

Your geriatric dog may develop a fear of thunderstorms or fireworks or start to become anxious when you leave the house. Geriatric cats can become more sensitive to environmental changes than they were in their younger years. A new work schedule, a child or strangers in the home, or other changes can trigger anxious reactions in cats such as urine spraying, loud or frequent vocalizations, excessive or compulsive grooming behaviors or loss of appetite.

Changes in personality or activity level can be early signs of disease or painful conditions. A normally happy pet who suddenly becomes aggressive may be a victim of the aches and pains of old age. Osteoarthritis or disc disease can cause dogs or cats to growl, snap or scratch when touched in sensitive areas. Ear infections and dental disease can also be painful. A puppy or kitten who plays too roughly with an older animal may be on the receiving end of grouchy behavior, or cause pain or anxiety in the older animal. Pets who have lost hearing or eyesight may react aggressively when they are startled by an unexpected approach.

Talk to your veterinarian about what’s going on. Often, the solution is as simple as medication to relieve pain or treat disease. A Fear Free-certified veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, vet tech or dog trainer can help you learn to interact positively with pets who have lost hearing or sight or manage interactions between young and old pets.

Loss of housetraining isn’t unusual in senior pets, but it’s not necessarily because they have become lazy or forgetful. In some cases, they may simply need to have potty breaks more frequently to accommodate a bladder that is weaker and less stretchy, unable to hold as much urine as in the past. Older pets become constipated, meaning they may poop smaller amounts on a more frequent basis. Diabetes or kidney disease can cause pets to urinate more often or in larger amounts. Cats with arthritis may have difficulty climbing in or out of the litter box. Help them out by making the box easier to enter and exit.

These are just a few of the many reasons for behavior changes in our golden oldies. If you notice these types of changes in a pet’s behavior, it’s a good idea to schedule a full veterinary exam that includes a physical, as well as lab work that includes a complete blood count, a blood chemistry panel, thyroid levels, and urinalysis, and a neurological exam.

You may find that your pet has a condition that can be treated or managed with medication, dietary changes, aids such as ramps, steps or compression garments, behavior modification, or changes in the pet’s environment or schedule. Making some simple lifestyle changes can allow you to share many more months or years of happiness in your pet’s company.

Q&A

Cat physics

for the win

Q: Is it true that cats always land on their feet? Has anyone actually studied that?

A: The physics of feline movement is a fascinating topic for any curious scientist or animal lover. Believe it or not, it’s something that has been studied for at least 150 years. Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell, known as the father of modern physics, was interested in how cats righted themselves after a fall, and in 1894, French scientist Etienne Jules Marey used high-speed photography to document the sequence of movements made by the body of a falling cat. (The cat survived, stalking away with an “expression of offended dignity.”)

The way it works, apparently, is that the cat first rotates his head into position so he can see the ground. He then twists his body so that his feet are oriented toward the ground. Once the body is correctly positioned, the cat spreads his legs outward, flying-squirrel style, and relaxes his muscles. That helps to spread out the force of the impact.

Don’t try this experiment on your cat at home. Just because cats often -- not always -- land on their feet doesn’t mean they always walk away without injury. City veterinarians see cases of cats with “high-rise syndrome”: They survive falls from as high as 30 stories, but they suffer severe injuries, including broken legs, broken jaws and collapsed lungs. Interestingly, the most dangerous falls are from two to six stories, possibly because the cat doesn’t have enough time to set himself up for the best landing. Falls from higher than 30 stories are not survivable.

If you live in a high-rise building, or even if your cat simply enjoys sunning himself on your one-story balcony, protect him from falls with window screens or other barriers that will prevent him from taking a leap into the void. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Exotics rule

in cat world

-- For the third year in a row, the exotic -- a shorthaired variety of the Persian -- is the most popular cat breed registered by the Cat Fanciers Association. The cats are appreciated for their sweet, quiet, affectionate personalities, not to mention the ease of grooming compared to the longhaired Persian. Some have extremely flat faces, which can lead to breathing difficulties, so avoid kittens with an extreme appearance.

-- Have you ever wondered about the source of the word “veterinarian”? It comes to us from the Latin word “veterinae,” meaning “working animals,” according to the Oxford English Dictionary, and first appeared in print in 1646. While people have been treating animals for illness for centuries, it wasn’t until 1762 that the first veterinary college was founded, in Lyon, France. By 1848, horse doctors were called “vets,” according to Ben Zimmer in the Wall Street Journal.

-- “Life is merrier with a toy fox terrier.” That’s the motto of people enamored of this smaller version of the smooth fox terrier. The TFT, as he’s known for short, is playful, funny and fearless as well as active and noisy. The breed was born in the United States, a popular working dog on farms, where he rid the home, barn and granary of rats and other small vermin. He combines terrier enthusiasm and hunting ability with the small size of toy dogs, making him suited to almost any home where he will get plenty of play -- fetch is a favorite -- and lap time. Keep this thin-skinned dog warm with a sweater or T-shirt, and don’t be surprised if he snuggles beneath the sheets or burrows inside your pillowcase. The smart and sassy TFT excels at dog sports, loves attention and generally gets along with other pets and older children. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

If your cat has gone on a walkabout, the following tips can help you track him down and lure him home

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Anyone who has lived with them knows that cats are ninjas when it comes to slipping unnoticed out of doors and then hiding successfully from anyone searching for them. These little predators who live in our homes are hard-wired to remain hidden, and living a soft indoor life doesn’t dull their instincts. Trying to find a lost cat can be like searching for a specific grain of sand on the beach.

The first rule of success is knowing how to look. Cheryl M. Melton of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, vice president and western area director for Forever Friends Humane Society, became an accidental expert in 2013 after a family adopted a cat from her rescue group. The same night they took him home, he slipped out the door and disappeared.

“I was determined to find Thomas,” she says. “This was the jumping-off point for me in finding lost cats.”

Thomas was finally recovered. Since then, Melton has helped owners find other missing meowsers.

Even though you can’t see them, “lost” cats typically stick close to home. They may take refuge in bushes or a shed and hunker down for about 24 hours. They use their senses to gather information and won’t move until they feel safe. Then they will begin to search for food, water, shelter and, sometimes, other cats. If you have a neighbor who is known for feeding cats, check with her first, Melton advises.

“I have found that cats do not usually go further than 200 yards from the point of exit,” she says. “They don’t go in a straight line, and they don’t stick to roads like dogs do. They tend to slowly work their way around, and it seems like they always work their way forward. The cats I have found have been very close to home, not more than a half mile at most.”

Look for your cat at dawn or dusk. Cats are crepuscular, meaning those are the times of day they are most active. They like to hunt when it’s still cool or when it’s dark out.

Put up flyers. They are the number-one way pets are returned to owners, Melton says. Put a large color photo of your cat on the flyer, topped with the words "Missing!" and "Reward!" At the bottom, add other details, including contact information. Post flyers on street corners up to a half-mile from your home. Place them at eye level so the driver of a car can see them.

“Put one on your door for your mailman to see, and make sure flyers are distributed to neighbors, pet stores, feed stores, shelters and online,” Melton says.

Because at the time she didn’t know how to look, it took Melton a month to track down Thomas.

“Once I learned more about staying close to the point of exit, that made all the difference, and we got him within the week,” she says.

One thing Melton learned from the search for Thomas was that no matter how loving and friendly a cat is, being lost is a scary situation for him. Even though your cat knows you, he may be too afraid to come when you call. Be prepared to set and monitor a humane trap once you locate your cat.

“Don’t give up hope,” Melton says. “Your kitty could be found in a day or a month or a year. It all depends on the area, the depth of the search and, of course, the cat.”

Q&A

Ways to manage

arthritis pain

Q: My dog seems really stiff, and the veterinarian says he probably has arthritis. Is there anything that can be done to help him feel more comfortable?

A: I feel for him. My joints are achy these days, too. We know in both human and veterinary medicine that pain management is crucial for any condition that interferes with normal activity: For dogs, those things include getting up or lying down, walking around, getting petted and just the ability to feel good during the day.

It’s not possible to eliminate pain completely, but treatments and medications are available that can help your dog get along without suffering. Pain management is successful when a dog can engage in normal activities: eating, sleeping, going for walks or just moving around the house, and interacting with his humans or other animals.

Several types of medications can help. For instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, for short) help to reduce inflammation and are often used to treat chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis. Your veterinarian may suggest a combination of drugs from different classes that work in different ways to provide the best pain relief for your individual dog or to reduce the risk of side effects.

If your dog is overweight, dropping a few pounds can relieve stress on his joints and decrease pain. Some dogs with lameness from painful, arthritic hips have improved with weight loss alone.

Some veterinary hospitals now offer complementary therapies in tandem with medication. Complementary therapies that may help to relieve arthritis pain include acupuncture, cold laser, hydrotherapy and massage.

Finally, you can make environmental changes that might ease his stiffness. Look for an orthopedic pet bed that offers good support for those achy joints. Some are heated, which is also soothing. Provide steps or a ramp to make it easier for him to get on and off the sofa or bed or into the car. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Don’t worry about

feline whisker woes

-- Does your cat have “whisker fatigue”? It’s been suggested that cats who don’t like eating out of deep, narrow dishes avoid them because they don’t like the feel of their whiskers brushing against the sides. While a cat’s whiskers are undoubtedly sensitive, it’s unlikely that repeatedly brushing them against the sides of a bowl is frustrating to felines. If your cat is reluctant to eat, discuss your concerns with your veterinarian. The cat may have painful dental disease or some other mouth problem.

-- Students at Stanford University will be permitted to have approved support animals on two floors of West Lagunita Court, an undergraduate dormitory. The new policy goes into effect in the fall semester. Support animals are approved on a case-by-case basis. The policy defines a support animal as “an animal that provides emotional or other support/assistance that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability.” The university already permits service animals such as guide dogs or seizure-alert dogs. Those animals may reside in any building not designated as animal-free.

-- Most dogs have dark brown eyes, but genetics can affect eye color. Amber eyes, which range in shade from light brown to yellow, yellow-green or gray, are usually limited to dogs with liver-colored or blue coats, but occasionally appear in dogs with black in their coats. Those dogs may have deep copper-colored eyes or a lighter amber shade. Other dogs have blue eyes, which can occur for different reasons. One is when a dog carries the gene for a merle coat, which dilutes parts of the eye and nose pigment. Dogs with large amounts of white around their eyes may have blue eyes as well, as can dogs with partial albinism -- very light coats, pink noses and blue eyes. Finally, some dogs, such as Siberian huskies, have blue eyes courtesy of a separate gene not linked to coat color. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Try out fun sports, perfect skills or just chill at dog camp

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

If you loved going to camp when you were a kid (or even if you didn’t), think of how great it could have been if you’d had your dog with you. Now, going to camp with your dog can be a dream vacation if you love the great outdoors, dog sports, traditional camp activities like canoeing or swimming, or just spending some down time with your best friend.

Dog lovers can find canine-oriented camps across the country, including ones aimed at kids. They go to try out new activities, hone skills their dogs already have or build a dog’s confidence.

“Camp gives you a different way to see how dogs learn and affords your dog the opportunity to try any and every sport of interest to you or them,” says dog trainer Bev Blanchard, who started out as a camper and now teaches freestyle, agility and canine massage classes at Camp Gone to the Dogs in Vermont.

Most dog camps offer a variety of activities, including barn hunt, dock diving, flying disc, herding, lure coursing, rally, tracking and therapy dog training. Others specialize in a single sport, such as agility or nosework. They are ideal for competitors who want to improve their skills in a specific activity.

“The trust, teamwork and focus that was built with my dog in a marathon series of searches -- with lots of breaks for my dog -- could not have been replicated anywhere else,” says Mary Wakabayashi of Aliso Viejo, California, who went to nosework camp with her dog Hina. “The instructors built on what my regular instructors say and gave another dimension and perspective to being a better teammate for my dog.”

Hate the idea of organized dog sports? You and your dog can still have fun. Go swimming, canoeing or hiking, try stand-up paddleboarding, make doggie crafts or just lie under a tree together watching the birds.

“Some people come with their older dogs, and that’s what they do,” Blanchard says.

Here are 10 camps where you and your dog can play to your heart’s content:

-- The mother of all of dog camps is Camp Gone to the Dogs (camp-gone-tothe-dogs.com), which celebrates its 28th anniversary this year. Camps take place in Marlboro, Vermont, or Stowe, Vermont.

-- Camp Dogwood (campdogwood.com)in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, offers camp experiences in fall, winter and spring.

-- Camp Unleashed (campunleashed.com) has sessions in Blue Ridge, Georgia, or the Berkshire Mountains in Becket, Massachusetts.

-- Try “barks and crafts,” learn canine CPR, study dog nutrition or play outdoors at Canine Camp Getaway (caninecampgetaway.com) in Lake George, New York. Human campers will appreciate the on-site bar/lounge and spa.

-- Learn backcountry safety at Canine Wilderness Companion Adventure Camp (citydogcountrydogtraining.com/camps-classes) at Yachats on the central Oregon coast. Skills include trail manners; hiking, camping and kayaking with dogs; and wilderness first aid.

-- Dogs of Course (dogsofcourse.com) offers a three-and-a-half day nosework training camp in Wimberly, Texas, near Austin.

-- Camp is for kids, too. The Canine Coach in Minneapolis-St. Paul has a four-day Dog Camp for Kids (thek9coach.com/dog_camp_for_kids.php), geared to ages 5 to 13. Kids and dogs can go together, or if your home is lacking a dog, a trained dog who is familiar with kids will be provided.

-- Enjoy a rustic camping experience with nearby hiking and mountain biking trails with Maian Meadows Dog Camp (maianmeadows.com/2.html) at Lake Wenatchee in Washington.

-- Six days at Lake Tahoe’s 33-acre Wild Blue Dog Camp (wildbluedogs.org/home) includes Canine Good Citizen training, water sports, classes in Fear Free dog grooming and more.

-- Yellowstone Dog Camp (yellowstonedogsports.com/index.php/summer-camp) in Red Lodge, Montana, offers 90 acres with an indoor arena, hiking trails, ponds for swimming and sheep for herding. Activities include rally, tricks, retriever training, nature walks and flyball.

Q&A

I love you,

I knead you

Q: Why do cats like to knead their paws on our skin? Does it have a purpose?

A: One of the great colloquialisms of our language is the phrase “making biscuits,” used to describe that exact feline behavior. It’s especially appropriate when applied to a cat with white paws -- as if she’s coated them in flour before setting to work kneading the sticky dough.

But cats aren’t imitating our baking habits. Their habit of reflexively pushing their paws in and out on a soft surface such as a lap or blanket is a sign of contentment, one that is linked to a cat’s earliest experience: snuggling against mom cat and suckling her warm flow of milk. (Fun fact: Within two or three days of birth, each kitten chooses his or her own personal nipple, and, with rare exceptions, drinks only from that one.)

The kneading behavior is present at birth. Pressing against the nipples is how newborns stimulate milk production. Even after they are weaned, throughout their lives, cats revisit that behavior. It’s a signal that they are relaxed and happy. Cats also knead at other important phases of their life. For instance, females knead in advance of the mating process.

Cats are extremely sensitive to touch, especially in the area of their paws (maybe that’s why they don’t always enjoy having them handled). Cats who knead humans are delivering an extra-special message of love. Humans who have the magic touch (and a cat’s favor) can induce kneading behavior by petting a cat in her favorite spot, such as between the eyes or ears. If you are lucky, your cat will keep her claws retracted as she kneads your skin, giving you a fancy feline massage. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

7 tips on

rabbit care

-- Considering a pet bunny? Rabbits are friendly, entertaining and can be housetrained. Those traits make them good companions, but they have some special needs. Here are some tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association: Bunny newbies should stick to a single rabbit. Choose one who is alert and active with a full, shiny coat. Have males neutered to prevent urine marking and females spayed to prevent unwanted litters. Rabbits don’t enjoy being held close or carried around and can injure themselves in the struggle to get away. Rabbits require regular grooming, especially if they have long fur. Without appropriate toys and supervision, rabbits may chew dangerous or inappropriate items, such as electrical cords or expensive furniture. Rabbits should live indoors and with good care can live as long as 15 years.

-- If your dog’s nickname is Sir Barks-a-lot, take steps to teach him when it’s OK to bark and when he should hold his tongue. When you want him to stop barking, give a cue for him to do something else, such as “down” (some dogs don’t like to bark when their belly is on the floor) or “come.” Whichever you choose, praise and reward your dog for responding and for being quiet.

-- A fine-tooth comb is your best friend if you’re not sure your dog or cat has fleas. Run it through your pet’s fur, starting at the head and moving toward the tail. If your pet is harboring any of the nasty little bloodsuckers, they’ll be trapped in the comb’s narrow teeth. Check most carefully at the neck and the rear end, both areas where fleas are often found. If you find one, know that there are lots more that you don’t see. Ask your veterinarian about an oral or topical preventive to protect your pet. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.