The natural progression of our lives usually causes us to begin to realize just how precious life is as we grow older.

The older we get, the more we tend to appreciate life and regret we didn’t realize it sooner.

I guess it is human nature to reminisce about the past and dream about the future.

There is also often a point in our lives when we begin to think about our mortality.

I am sure it is different for everyone depending on their age, life circumstances and state of mind, but we all begin saying, “Life is short!”

It is a great realization to understand we are blessed to be here each day.

However, you never hear anyone saying, “Pets’ lives are even shorter.”

Every time you consider health, happiness and the longevity of life, you might want to think one step further realizing pets’ average life span is much shorter than ours.

Their aging process is faster than ours.

Pets’ disease processes progress at a faster pace than human diseases.

One way of looking at pets and their rate of aging is to think that their entire life is sped up. Everything happens faster and at an earlier age than in people.

For example, puppies and kittens have a full set of baby teeth that fall out and are replaced by their adult teeth by the time they are six months old.

Puppies and kittens, on average, reach puberty at six months.

The age old question is, “What do we need to do to live longer?” There have been countless gimmicks and bogus medicines promising to slow the natural aging process.

The problem is none of them have been able to prove you would live even one day longer than normal.

The newest medical research shows promise in allowing people to live longer, but it will take many years just to follow the research to make any judgment calls. 

With the constant improvements in medical procedures and medicines, people are living longer and longer. Dogs and cats are also living longer now than even just a few years ago.

There is no doubt medical advancements are responsible for pets living longer and healthier lives.

One of our dogs, Marlo, is 12 years old (84 dog years) and our boys are always asking, “How much longer will she be here?”

We realize she is on the last part of her life and we always answer with, “She is taken care of great so no need to worry.”

Deep down they know the truth. Each day is precious with her. 

Her facial hair is turning white and her eyes are getting cloudy.

We just treasure each moment with her.

On average, dogs and cats live approximately one year to humans’ seven years.

One year gone by for a dog or cat is like seven years gone by for you or me.

If your pet goes two years without a checkup by your veterinarian, it is synonymous to you going 14 years without seeing a doctor. A lot of change can occur in a dog or cat in just one year’s time.

By putting pets’ aging process into perspective, justifying annual physical exams for pets is not that difficult.

Preventative medicine is the most difficult to prove how well it works. The reason is you don’t see prevention work.

If the preventative medicine works well, the disease never occurs.

It is so much easier to see how treatment works whenever a pet physically improves after being treated medically.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It is never a good idea to “roll the dice” or “gamble” by not keeping your pet current with regards to their preventative care.

All pets should have a comprehensive examination and preventative vaccinations at least once a year.

Life is short and your pet’s life is even shorter. So, make sure to see your veterinarian on a regular basis, at least once a year, to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy and happy life.

Dr. Jeff Castle is a veterinarian at Clark County Veterinary Clinic.