Pets provide us with so much throughout their lives, from their ability to make us laugh to their unending love, loyalty, care, and affection. As a result, it only makes sense to consider how we can give back to them as your pet ages.
It is important to remember that growing older is not a disease. Even though senior pets may experience age-related issues, you can help them live a long, happy, and active life by attending to their physical, mental, and healthcare needs.
Healthy Senior Dog Care Routines
Visit Your Veterinarian Often
Animals’ health deteriorates faster than that of their younger counterparts as they age. Senior pets are prone to arthritis, heart disease, cataracts, organ failure, hearing or vision loss, and tumors.
Regular veterinary exams and pet internal medicine can detect problems in older animals before they become severe or fatal, allowing your pet to live a longer, healthier life.
Senior pet exams are more thorough but comparable to those for younger pets. These exams include dental work, potential blood work, and specific checks for signs of aging-related diseases.
Increase Your Time, Love, and Attention
Even though aging is a natural part of life, watching a beloved pet age can be challenging. Making the most of your canine companions and spending quality time with them is more important than ever.
Then spend time doing what you two enjoy the most. Whether it is a game in the garden, cuddling on the couch, or exploring a new park together. It will provide your pet with what they most desire: a close relationship and quality time with you, in addition to providing you with priceless memories.
Make Time for Grooming
As your pet ages, it may become more difficult or less appealing for them to groom themselves as frequently as they did when they were younger. Furthermore, their skin may be flaky, and their fur may lose some sheen.
Regular brushing sessions and other home grooming appointments can help this. You should also bathe your pet more frequently, especially if they have incontinence or accidents in the bathroom.
Taking your pet to the groomer regularly will keep their coats healthy and shiny and their claws trimmed and in good condition.
How Can Senior Pets Maintain Their Happiness and Health?
No matter how well you care for them, senior pets are vulnerable to aging problems, such as specific diseases. Senior pets require more care than younger ones, such as frequent vet visits and possible dietary and environmental changes.
- Diet and nutrition: Older animals often require diets that are easier to digest, include a variety of energy sources and ingredients, and contain anti-aging nutrients.
- Weight management: Senior dogs who gain weight are more likely to develop health problems than a geriatric cat who lose weight and are more vulnerable.
Pet Screening Exams
A thorough physical examination and diagnostic laboratory tests at Westfield veterinary hospital are invaluable in detecting health problems in your senior dogs early on. Senior dogs and cats are those who are seven years old or older. Geriatric patients should have a blood and urine test at least once a year as part of their annual physical. This will screen for illnesses that commonly affect older animals.
Even if the screening test results are normal, the test provides us with a typical baseline result from which we can compare subsequent blood samples from that animal. Regular screening is essential for older pets to live as long as possible.
Conclusion
Prevention is critical for the health of senior pets. The health of senior pets can be monitored, and problems avoided with routine examinations, diagnostic testing, and vaccinations. Developing a preventative care plan that meets the unique needs of our aging pets necessitates close collaboration between pet owners and their veterinarians.
