It’s a fact of life that our pets are going to grow old, but that doesn’t mean it has to weigh down our four-legged friends! With providing the proper care to our aging pets, we can make the transition period much easier on them!
What are some things you can do to help them out?
• Visit the vet: optimal healthcare can add years to the life of your pet. Our pets age at least five to seven times faster than we do, so it’s very important to take our pets in for regular examinations. Your pet should visit a vet at least once yearly to get a physical exam, blood screening, urinalysis and a fecal exam. Our senior pets need to see a vet even more often though, at least once every six months.
• Eating right: our senior pets typically need lower fat diets that provide better quality protein. When selecting the right food for your pooch it’s good to look for one with reduced calories and proteins and increased fiber and vitamins. Not all senior pets need the same food though, consult your vet to find out what would be best for your four-legged friend!
• Getting exercise: it’s important to help our pets maintain proper weight and muscle strength through regular exercise. More frequent, shorter periods of exercise will be less stressful on aging joints and more beneficial than longer exercise periods. Start with a 5 minute warm-up walk, and then gradually increase the exercise for 20 to 30 minutes and then end with a 5 minute cool down period. Exercise is necessary for their overall well-being but make sure you are being mindful of what your pet can handle!
• Keeping pain away: make sure to seek a veterinarian if you see your pet experiencing pain or discomfort to get the proper treatment and medication. Signs of pain can include reluctance to jump, panting, loss of appetite, reduced activity and behavioral changes.
Senior pets make great companions! With the above tips we can help them live out the remainder of their glory years in less pain.
If you’re looking for a senior pet, this weekend might just be the perfect time to adopt. We are offering $50 off all adoption fees for dogs 3 years and up! The time is always right for a loveable pet, come visit us today and find your perfect match!
