It’s estimated that there are approximately 13 million senior dogs (10 and older) and 12 million senior cats (10 and older) in the United States, according to Dr. Stephen Zawistowski of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. If you are lucky enough to have a canine or feline senior citizen, or if you’re starting out with a puppy or kitten, here are some ways to make their lives longer, healthier and more comfortable.

— Don’t overfeed your dog or cat. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs.
— For puppies, roly-poly is out; slim is in.
— Teach your dog hand signals for commands such as sit, down and come when he’s a puppy. If he loses his hearing as he ages, you’ll still be able to communicate with him.
— Keep your dog or cat active throughout life with walks and playtime. Maintaining muscle strength around arthritic joints helps keep them comfortable and more mobile.
— Protect the teeth and gums with regular brushing and veterinary cleanings to prevent blood-borne infections that can negatively affect internal organs such as the heart and kidneys.
— Schedule regular veterinary visits for your oldster so you can catch and treat problems before they become serious.
— Don’t ignore lumps and bumps in older pets or decide to “just watch it.” Cancer is often highly treatable, even in older animals, but only if it’s discovered early.
— If your pet’s vision is impaired, he can still get around using sense of smell, but it’s a good idea not to move the furniture around.
— Ask your veterinarian about medication to treat arthritis pain in cats and dogs.
— Give your pet lots of love and attention.