Caring For Senior Pets

Doesn’t it seems like just yesterday your furry friend could fit in the palm of your hand? Now, their face is turning gray and it takes them a little more effort to keep up with you than they used to. Our pets age faster than we do, and they rely on us to provide more care as their needs change due to age-related conditions.

Read below to see some common questions asked regarding senior pet care:

1. When does a pet become “old?”

Determining when your pet becomes a “senior” is based on may factors, such as breed, size of pet, genetics and lifestyle. Cats and small dogs are generally considered geriatric at the age of 7. Larger breeds of dogs tend to have shorter life spans, and are considered seniors when they are approximately 6 years old.

2. What kind of health problems can affect older pets?

Geriatric pets can develop many of the same problems seen in older humans, such as:

• Cancer

• Arthritis

• Heart disease

• Kidney/urinary tract disease

• Liver disease

• Diabetes

• Joint or bone disease

• Senility

• Obesity

• Weakness

Early diagnosis can save your pet the discomfort of a full-blown illness, and saves pet owners the expense of more extensive treatments. Catching problems early can save a pet’s life!

3. What symptoms should I look for in my aging pet?

As your pet ages, you may begin to notice certain signs that your pet is feeling his or her age. These behavioral changes are important indicators that something is changing in an older pet, which may be due to a medical reason.

Because your pet can’t tell you something’s wrong or hurting. It’s your job as a pet owner to help detect early signs of disease. If you notice any of these behavioral changes, contact us today!

• Increased reaction to sounds

• Increased vocalization

• Confusion

• Disorientation

• Decreased interaction w/humans

• Increased irritability

• Decreased response to commands

• Increased aggressive/protective behavior

• Increased anxiety

• House soiling

• Decreased self-hygiene/grooming

• Repetitive activity

• Increased wandering

• Change in sleep cycles

We recommend for your senior pet to visit us every six months for a wellness exam. This month, save 15% on Senior Pet Health Screenings! This nose-to-tail physical examination looks for the common signs of geriatric health conditions. Your furry friend is very important, and providing regular senior pet care will help your pet live as long and healthy of a life as possible.