Submitted by WendigoWeiner t3_10y7d2d in askscience
Given their shorter lifespan, do age related diseases that usually take X amount of years in humans progress quicker in dogs and other animals with shorter lifespans? For example, if glaucoma takes 10-15 years for blindness in humans, would animals with shorter lifespans be less likely to develop those diseases due to "outliving" them?
Justbecauseicould t1_j7ylxps wrote
Can't speak for specifics, but as a veterinarian who has a special interest in geriatric patients, I can confirm that dogs and cats do get "age-related diseases". Cataracts, osteoarthritis (joint pain), heart disease, and kidney disease are very common in cats and dogs over the age of 8-10. Breed-specific issues can shorten that time frame with the giant breeds becoming "geriatric" at 5-6 years. And as they get older, certain cancers also become more prevalent much like humans. That being said, I tell people getting older is a fact and we can't change that, but we can certainly help with the frailty of the patient. Your pet might be old, but not frail in any way, or could be significantly younger, but frailer. As your pets age, it's important to get them checked out far more frequently as a lot can change in a short time span.