Dogs and cats are living longer—but longevity is not simply about adding more years to a pet’s life. The real goal is to extend the number of years they remain healthy, active, comfortable, and engaged with their families.
Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, recently joined award-winning investigative journalist Rob Schilling on The Schilling Show to discuss healthy aging in pets. Their conversation covered nutrition, exercise, vaccination decisions, parasite prevention, pet insurance, cancer risk, and the practical steps owners can take to support their pets throughout every stage of life.
As an integrative veterinarian, Dr. Carol combines conventional Western veterinary medicine with natural and holistic approaches. Her philosophy is not to reject traditional veterinary care, but to consider the whole animal and use the most appropriate options from both conventional and complementary medicine.
How Long Are Dogs and Cats Living?
According to Dr. Carol, cats commonly live between 15 and 20 years. In her own veterinary practice, she has cared for cats reaching 25 or even 26 years of age.
A dog’s expected lifespan varies considerably depending on its breed, size, genetics, and general health. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger breeds, while many large dogs historically had expected lifespans of approximately 10 to 12 years.
Today, however, Dr. Carol sees some dogs continuing to do well into their upper teenage years.
She attributes this improvement partly to greater awareness among pet owners. Families are increasingly applying many of the same healthy-aging principles used in human wellness to the care of their dogs and cats.
Genetics Matter—but Lifestyle Matters Too
Dr. Carol estimates that longevity is influenced approximately 30% by genetics and 70% by lifestyle. Although owners cannot change an animal’s genetic makeup, they can influence many of the factors that affect long-term health.
Her healthy-aging recommendations include:
- Feeding wholesome, nutritionally complete food
- Maintaining a lean, healthy body weight
- Providing regular, age-appropriate exercise
- Limiting unnecessary pesticide exposure
- Using medications thoughtfully
- Discussing appropriate supplements with a veterinarian
- Avoiding unnecessary medical interventions
- Giving pets regular preventive veterinary care
Dr. Carol believes that improving these lifestyle factors may add two to four healthy years to some pets’ lives. More importantly, the objective is to improve healthspan—the period during which a pet enjoys a good quality of life—rather than merely extending lifespan.
Every pet is different, and diet or supplement changes should be discussed with a veterinarian familiar with the animal’s age, health, medications, and nutritional requirements.
Keeping Pets Lean Is One of the Most Important Steps
Maintaining a healthy weight is among the simplest and most valuable things an owner can do for a dog or cat.
Excess weight places additional strain on the joints, heart, lungs, and other organs. It can make movement more difficult and may contribute to chronic health problems as a pet ages.
Owners sometimes mistake extra weight for a sign that a pet is well-fed or thriving. In reality, keeping a pet lean can help preserve mobility and make it easier for the animal to remain active throughout its senior years.
Regular exercise should be adapted to the pet’s individual abilities. A senior dog may no longer manage long, strenuous walks but could still benefit from several shorter walks, gentle play, swimming, or supervised movement during the day.
A Thoughtful Approach to Pet Vaccinations
Vaccines play an important role in protecting animals from serious infectious diseases. Dr. Carol encourages owners to discuss an individualized vaccination plan with their veterinarian rather than assuming every pet requires every available vaccine at every visit.
Core canine vaccines generally protect against:
- Canine distemper virus
- Canine adenovirus
- Canine parvovirus
- Rabies
Rabies vaccination requirements are established by state and local law and can vary by location.
Dr. Carol discussed antibody titer testing as one tool that may help veterinarians evaluate whether a pet has measurable antibodies to certain diseases before administering another booster. However, a positive titer does not necessarily replace a legally required vaccination, particularly for rabies.
Owners should check applicable local regulations and consult their veterinarian before changing a vaccination schedule. Boarding facilities, groomers, daycare providers, and travel authorities may also have their own vaccination requirements.
When vaccination is necessary, Dr. Carol recommends discussing the pet’s age, size, health history, previous vaccine reactions, lifestyle, and likely exposure risks with the veterinarian. She also advises avoiding the administration of numerous nonessential vaccines during a single appointment when a safer, medically appropriate schedule can be arranged.
Should Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention Be Seasonal?
Parasite protection should be based on the risks present where a pet lives or travels.
During the interview, Dr. Carol explained that parasite activity may be seasonal in climates with cold winters. In other regions, however, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes may remain active throughout most or all of the year.
Rather than following a generalized schedule, owners should discuss local conditions with their veterinarian. The appropriate plan may depend on:
- Geographic location
- Seasonal temperatures
- Local mosquito and tick activity
- The pet’s lifestyle and travel
- Exposure to wooded areas or wildlife
- Heartworm prevalence
- The presence of other animals in the home
Dr. Carol also advised owners to review combination parasite products carefully. A convenient all-in-one product is not automatically the best option for every pet. A veterinarian can help weigh the benefits of broad protection against the animal’s individual risks, medical history, and previous reactions.
Heartworm disease and tick-borne illnesses can have serious consequences, so preventive medication should not be stopped, divided, or replaced without veterinary guidance.
Supporting Pets While Reducing Cancer Risks
Cancer is a growing concern for pet owners, particularly as dogs and cats live longer. There is no single guaranteed method of preventing cancer, but Dr. Carol believes owners can improve the odds by focusing on overall health and reducing avoidable exposures.
Her recommendations include:
- Keeping pets at a healthy weight
- Feeding a balanced, wholesome diet
- Providing regular exercise
- Avoiding unnecessary pesticide exposure
- Developing an individualized vaccination plan
- Scheduling regular veterinary examinations
- Investigating new lumps or unexplained symptoms promptly
Dr. Carol also recommends discussing the timing of spaying or neutering with a veterinarian instead of treating the decision as identical for every animal.
The most appropriate timing may vary according to the pet’s species, breed, size, sex, behavior, health, living situation, and reproductive risk. Owners should make this decision with a veterinarian after considering both the potential benefits and risks for the individual pet.
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
Pet insurance can be extremely valuable when a dog or cat develops cancer, a chronic disease, a major injury, or an inherited health condition. However, policies vary substantially in their premiums, exclusions, reimbursement levels, waiting periods, and coverage limits.
Dr. Carol recommends that owners compare plans carefully and ask questions before purchasing a policy.
Points to examine include:
- Whether hereditary conditions are covered
- Coverage for chronic illnesses
- Annual or lifetime payment limits
- Deductibles and reimbursement percentages
- Waiting periods
- Pre-existing-condition exclusions
- Changes in premiums as the pet ages
- Coverage for diagnostic tests, medication, and specialist care
For a healthy pet requiring little beyond routine care, some owners may prefer to place money regularly into a dedicated emergency fund. Others value the reassurance of insurance against an unexpectedly large veterinary bill.
The right answer depends on the pet, the policy, and the owner’s financial circumstances.
Planning for a Pet’s Future
The program also addressed a difficult concern for older pet owners: What will happen to a beloved animal if the owner becomes ill or dies first?
Dr. Carol encourages owners to plan ahead. A plan may involve a trusted relative or friend, a rescue organization, a pet-care association, or written instructions included with estate-planning documents.
Important details may include:
- Identifying a willing future caregiver
- Setting aside funds for the pet’s care
- Recording the veterinarian’s contact information
- Documenting medications and dietary needs
- Including care instructions in an estate plan
- Keeping microchip and identification information current
Making arrangements in advance helps prevent confusion and gives both the owner and the pet greater security.
People who love animals but cannot currently afford full-time pet ownership can also consider volunteering with a shelter or fostering an animal temporarily. Fostering provides valuable companionship while helping a pet prepare for a permanent home.
Longevity Is About Better Years, Not Just More Years
There is no single pill, diet, or treatment that guarantees a longer life. Healthy aging is usually the result of many thoughtful decisions made consistently over time.
Good nutrition, an appropriate body weight, regular movement, preventive care, sensible medical decisions, and close attention to changes in a pet’s behavior can all contribute to a longer, healthier life.
Above all, Dr. Carol encourages owners to become active participants in their pets’ healthcare. Ask questions. Understand the purpose of each medication, vaccine, test, and supplement. Work with a veterinarian who considers the individual animal rather than relying solely on a one-size-fits-all protocol.
That approach can help give dogs and cats what every pet owner ultimately wants: more healthy, comfortable years by our side.
About The Schilling Show
The Schilling Show is hosted by Rob Schilling, an Associated Press and Virginia Association of Broadcasters award-winning investigative journalist. The program provides a forum for advocacy, public discussion, and a wide range of viewpoints.
Learn More From Dr. Carol Osborne
Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, is an integrative veterinarian and the founder and director of the Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center. She combines traditional veterinary medicine with natural and holistic approaches to support the health and longevity of dogs and cats.
To learn more or speak with Dr. Carol’s team:
Telephone: (440) 247-5901
Website: ChagrinFallsPetClinic.com
This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized veterinary advice. Vaccination laws, parasite risks, nutritional needs, and appropriate medical care vary by pet and location. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, vaccination schedule, parasite prevention, or treatment plan