Caring for our senior pets can be a challenge. Just like humans, senior pets develop chronic conditions that need careful monitoring, and their health can change rapidly.
The most beneficial thing you can do to is bring them for routine checkups every 6 months to do the following:
Physical exam:
A veterinary physical exam checks for a lot of things, such as:
- Muscle loss
- Decreased range of motion and arthritis
- Heart murmur
- Dental issues
- Vision changes and cataracts
Wellness labwork: Routine lab screens of blood and urine can help identify underlying issues before they become a problem, such as diabetes, kidney disease, bladder stones, etc. Lab results also help veterinarians identify what kind of medication is appropriate for your pet.
These visits are also an opportunity to check in on the overall well-being of your pet and identify if there need to be any adjustments to current medication protocols.
Symptoms of common geriatric diseases are:
- Increased/decreased appetite
- Increased/decreased thirst or urination
- Weight loss
- Coughing or exercise intolerance
- Sneezing, foul breath, dropping food
- Lack of energy
- Difficulty with stairs, getting up or down from rest
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Limping
- Incontinence
Tips for Senior Cat & Dog Care
Make your home is senior pet-friendly – Your pet may not be able to get around as easily as before, but you can make changes to their surroundings that can help them.
- Use runners or rugs on hardwood floors
- Make sure outdoor spaces are well-lit
- Set up ramps or step-stools
Stay on top of their grooming – Aging pets may have trouble keeping themselves clean.
- Sanitary grooming: Older pets aren’t as flexible as they used to be and may have trouble grooming their rear ends. You may need to give your pet a “sanitary shave” to remove hair that can get matted and trap urine and feces.
- Nail trims: It’s also important to get regular nail trims. As pets lose mobility, their nails don’t get worn down like they used to. Long nails make walking uncomfortable, and often will grow into their paw pads causing an infection.
- Paw pads: Some pets are prone to having a lot of hair between their paw pads, which can make walking slippery. Shaving their paw pads can help them move around more confidently.
- Oral care: Dental pain a very important component in your pet’s quality of life. Younger cats and dogs are able to get a dental cleaning if their teeth break or get abscessed, but the risk of anesthesia is increased for senior pets. Therefore keeping up on preventative dental care, like brushing or dental chews, is very important.
Be aware of signs of arthritis – Arthritis is a common ailment in older pets. Contact us if you notice any of these symptoms for an extended period:
- Problems climbing stairs
- Decreased activity
- Seemingly stiff joints
- Problems sitting or standing
- Difficulty jumping
We may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or injectable treatments.
Dietary changes – Older pets need fewer calories, and their diet needs to be adjusted accordingly to prevent weight gain. This is especially important since excess weight can lead to or exacerbate a lot of health problems. Many modern geriatric diets also include supplements to help with things like mobility.
Keep them moving – Pets need regular exercise for their well-being. Your dog or cat might not jump or play the way they used to, but movement keeps their joints healthy, weight down, and mental stimulation going. Keep exercise low impact (like slow walks instead of playing fetch)
Be patient – As pets age, they may experience loss of sight and/or hearing. Be sure to give your cat or dog extra time to get around the house or out on walks.
