When pets are young they are very active, healthy, and look so beautiful. However, as they age, they get different health issues and become less attractive. Do you notice gray fur instead of bright black, white or creamy fur? Has your animal stopped jumping here and there? Doesn’t it have a mood every time to go and get your tennis ball? If the answer is yes, then you probably have a senior pet. This is the time when you should be very careful and provide a lot more attention to your animal. Caring for your senior pet is not an easy task but as you love your animals like your family member then you should get ready to provide them with suitable pet care services.
It’s highly recommended to create a convenient space and atmosphere for your pet in his later years.
If you give them proper care, you will save a lot of money because early detection of each health issue can do more for your pet’s wellbeing. Having a pet insurance policy will be a great asset in helping you save money while caring for your senior pet.
Is Your Pet a Senior?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, when a dog reaches seven years, it is considered to be senior. However, when it is ten years old then it can be compared to a human of 58 years old. If a dog is older, then it can be equivalent to 66-78 years.
As dogs age, they can face a lot of health issues related to their age. These are some of the most common issues vet can experience:
- Arthritis
- Vision loss
- Weight loss
- Hearing loss
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
Of course, a lot of factors can result in the bad health of pets. In fact, the lifestyle and diet can have much impact on pets when they age. Now, let’s dive into some senior pet care tips so that your pet will live longer and healthier it deserves.
Senior Pet Care Tips
Be careful when you notice changes in behavior
Though your pet cannot speak, its behavior can tell you a lot about its health. Yes, an older dog is less active but there are some unusual behaviors that are worth your attention. So be careful when you notice such changes:
- Anxiety
- Bad sleep
- Appetite loss
- Increased barking
- Aggressive behavior
- Irritation
- No response to commands
- Increased water consumption
- Urination Changes
Schedule vet visits regularly
Visiting a vet on a regular basis can be a great step towards the betterment of your pet. This will help detect different health issues earlier and cure them as fast as possible. Such regular analysis and exams will be beneficial because even the smallest issues can be solved before becoming more serious.
Tranquille Vet Animal Hospital is a great destination for all pet owners who look for senior pet care Kamloops. Trust Kamloops Veterinarian and the whole team because they are dedicated to offering quality solutions. Whether you bring your pet to Tranquille Vet Animal Hospital once a year or every two or three months, you can be sure that the Kamloops Veterinarian will cover your pet’s needs. This Kamloops Veterinarian has many years of experience in treating senior pets so he can catch age-related health issues without a hitch.
Pay Attention to Diet changes
Old pets become less active, so they need fewer calories. However, this is essential because when pets gain weight it can bring a number of issues. You can talk to Kamloops Veterinarian and the best diet will be created for your animal. This will be based on its age, breed, character and many other important factors. At Tranquille Vet Animal Hospital, a senior pet care Kamloops includes determining a suitable diet, so never hesitate to get in touch with Kamloops Veterinarian and visit this hospital as soon as possible.
Take Your Pet for a Walk
Note that regular exercises are important for dogs of all ages. Even if your dog is senior, it should walk and try to jump regularly. Regular movements help dogs be healthy, have strong joints, less weight and many other benefits.
Look for Arthritis Signs
In fact, arthritis is considered to be a common disease among old dogs. Lose no time and contact Kamloops Veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Sitting and standing issues
- Stiff joints
- Less activity
- Difficulties when climbing stairs
By providing a quality senior pet care Kamloops, the expert Kamloops Veterinarian will provide the right medications to ease your animal’s pain. Remember that you should avoid giving human pain medications to your pet and rely on the prescription offered by Kamloops Veterinarian will.
Create a Senior Pet-Friendly Environment
Note that when your dog becomes older, it will be less active so it will not be able to walk a lot and get around so easily. However, you can still do various things and help your dog in such cases.
- Buy an orthopedic bed for your pet
- Buy a dog jacket or sweater to keep them warm
- Let your animal have easy access to water
Be Careful to Cognitive Dysfunction Signs
Dogs can get stressed, become anxious and aggressive as they age. Some common signs of cognitive dysfunction are:
- Incontinence
- Wandering
- Fear of loud noises
- No desire to play with their owner or other pets
However, you can still help your dog stay active in some ways. We offer you to create a strict schedule of walking, feeding, and sleeping time. You can also take some anti-anxiety medications as they will also be helpful.
Follow Your Pet’s Hygiene
As pets become older, they stay clean with a lot of difficulties. So you are the one to keep it clean and groomed. Often brush its teeth to ensure your animal’s oral health is in the best ever condition. Also, use a fur brush to keep its fur soft and neat. This is also a perfect time to bond together and enjoy your time.
Be Patient
You need to be very patient. Senior pets often hear badly and face loss of sight. So give them time to respond to your commands.
