How to Keep Your Senior Pet Healthy

All pet parents wish that their pets could stay young and bouncy forever. Yet, the hard truth is that aging is part of life’s continuous cycle. Yet, once your pet becomes a senior, healthy, and happy life is still possible. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, senior pets have special needs when it comes to their health and well-being. If you want to understand how to keep your senior pet healthy, here’s what you should know.
 

Be Aware of Common Health Problems

As your pet's age, health issues start to appear. Some are natural ones like hearing loss, arthritis, or blindness. Others are breed-specific or gender-specific ailments. Cancer, dementia, and kidney disease are common conditions in older cats and dogs.
 

Keep Vet Appointments

Always keep your pet’s vet appointments so that you can help prevent illnesses or catch health problems early. Coat and skin degradation, digestive issues, joint pain, and dental problems usually start or worsen as your pet gets older. Through regular vet visits, you can ensure a longer, healthier life for your pet.
 

Opt for a More Suitable Diet

Your goal in feeding your senior pet is to maintain a healthy weight while working to optimize health. Dogs and cats need diets that are tailored to their species and health needs. Senior pets need fewer calories because their metabolic rate is decreasing. You should also choose foods that contain the right levels of digestible protein to help maintain their healthy muscle mass.
 

Give More Enrichment Activities

Animal experts say that you should let your pets socialize or play more to keep their minds healthy as they age. For your dog, focus on the sense of smell. Take your dog on more car rides or road trips to introduce different scents. You can also engage in a “search and rescue” mission for food items in your home. For your cat, focus on the sense of sight. You can purchase toys that trigger your cat’s hunting instinct.
 

Make the Home Safe and Accessible

Hearing and vision usually decline as your pet's age. You should remember this before you enter the rooms quietly or rearrange the furniture. If your pet finds things moved around the house or bumps into you, your pet might get startled or stressed. Remove any possible dangers in your pet’s way. Pet gates can help keep them safe from stairs or spaces that have potentially harmful items. If your floors are slippery, line them with rugs or rubber mats to provide more traction to your older pets. Place ramps or steps near sofas or beds where your pets like to sleep or rest. These will prevent falls that may cause serious injuries.
 

It is a privilege to earn the love and loyalty of pets up to their golden years. They only deserve the best care you can give. At Dr. Mike’s Affordable Vet Care, we always prioritize the safety of the senior pets we see. Please visit our clinic in Arlington, Texas, for an in-person consultation. You can also call us at 817-663-8160 if you want to schedule an appointment or ask questions about our senior pet care packages.

References:

https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-ways-to-make-senior-pets-more-comfortable/

https://online.maryville.edu/healthcare-degrees/senior-pet-health-wellness-guide/