Man’s favorite pets are with us through thick and thin, but that also means it’s sometimes hard to forget that they age much more rapidly when we do.
It may seem like your dog or cat was a pup or kitten just yesterday when, in reality, they’re getting to their golden years. Here are some of the best care tips for senior dogs and cats.
1. Trips To The Vet
When your pet is younger, an annual checkup at the doctors is good enough. But when your faithful companion is getting along in his years, you’ll want to take them for more frequent checkup.
Every six months, we should ensure that nothing unexpected happens. The vet can then catch any new developments early.
2. Pay Special Attention
As your pet gets older, it’s more likely that they may develop health concerns. Frequently look out for any changes in their behavior.
They could be trying to tell you something important. Arthritis, kidney disease, and cancer symptoms are things to look out for.
3. Adapt To Their Pace
As dogs grow older, they may not be quite as active as they used to be. This means that old trails that they used to walk might not be suitable anymore.
Consider adapting to their pace and going slower than usual. If they need to, you can even reduce the length of your walking route so they can still get their exercise.
4. Make Changes To Your Home
Remember when you had to make your home puppy or kitten safe? Well, senior pets will also need similar precautions put in place so that they won’t get into any trouble.
Some carpeting for traction will ensure they don’t slip. You can also use baby gates to block off hazardous parts of your home.
5. An Accessible Life
If you want your old pet to have a more accessible life, then it’s worth upgrading all of the things they use day to day if you see them struggling in their old age.
For example, rubber-bottomed bowls and litter boxes with a low lip or a ramp will make their lives much easier. You can also put ramps up in other parts of your home for them.
6. A Safe Place
While even a young pet should have a safe place to go to when they are stressed, a senior pet especially needs a sanctuary to escape to.
Older pets are less mobile, so it’s crucial that their safe space is in a central location and always close to the animal. Make sure they have access to water and food.
7. Keep Their Mental Faculties In Mind
As pets age, their mental faculties start to become impaired. Be aware that your pet may not be able to see or hear as well as they used to.
Make sure there isn’t anything dangerous they could accidentally bump into. They will rely on you to help them and be their eyes and ears.
8. Be Gentle
A pet’s body will become much more fragile as they age. Just remember that they weren’t as young as they used to be when you are playing with them.
They may have been able to rough house when they were young, but in their golden years, be gentle with them. That includes stopping them from hurting themselves over excitement.
9. It’s Never Too Late
If you aren’t already a pet owner and you’re thinking of adopting. Remember that many older pets are looking for love in shelters.
If you can’t adopt a pet or already have one, you can still find a local shelter and donate anything you can. Even some old blankets would do wonders for them this winter.
