Would you wait seven years to get a physical check-up from your doctor? Most of us wouldn’t and our pets shouldn’t, either—especially as they get older.

On average, pets age seven times faster than people. This means that most dogs and cats reach adulthood by age two and middle age by four. By age seven, most dogs—particularly larger breeds—are entering their senior years!

One of the most common diseases affecting older cats, hyperthyroidism is caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormones that increase the body’s rate of metabolism.

These excessive hormone levels push the body’s metabolism into overdrive, resulting in weight loss and increased appetite. This disease also often leads to hypertension (high blood pressure).

Fortunately, hyperthyroidism can be easily managed and with treatment, most cats continue to live full, healthy lives.

Choosing the right diet for your pet is one of the most important things that you can offer them. Unfortunately it is not a simple question, even for a healthy pet. There are literally thousands of different pet foods with new ones every week. Even the ones we know well get their formulations changed periodically and we have no idea when. Feeding options have become complicated by a mixture of science, hype, marketing and convenience. There is so much we do not know about nutrition.