Senior Pets
Once your pet reaches the age of 7 they are classified as senior animals, even if they still act young.
Just like older people, pets begin to experience physical and behavioural changes putting them at greater risk of disease.
We can’t avoid these changes but we can help them to cope better with them.
Just like older people, pets begin to experience physical and behavioural changes putting them at greater risk of disease. Unfortunately older pets may experience loss of hearing, sight, sense of smell, poor digestive function and difficulty maintaining body weight. We can’t avoid these changes but we can help them to cope better with them.
Nutrition:
It is very important that you feed your older pet on a highly digestible food to ensure your pet gains the foods full nutritional value. It is also important that the food is highly palatable to ensure that your pet accepts it. Senior pet foods also need to contain Antioxidants to boost their immune system to help prevent premature ageing. To help with better skin and coat condition the food needs to contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. It is also important to help maintain healthy joints in older pets. This can be achieved by ensuring the food given contains glucosamine.
Dental:
Research has shown that 85% of dogs and cats over the age of 6 have gingivitis and/or periodontal disease. Some early signs can be bad breath and redness or swelling in the gums. Checking your pet’s teeth on a regular basis for any broken teeth, build up of tartar or gum problems will help keep your pet’s mouth healthy. If your pet has bad teeth it may result in secondary problems such as tooth loss, kidney or liver disorders and heart disease. If you have any concerns your veterinarian will be more than happy to do an oral exam.
Canine Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease, which affects the joints resulting in pain and reduced flexibility. The most common joints affected are their hips, spine, knees, elbows and wrists. Signs to look out for are stiffness and decreased activity, limping, muscle wasting, difficulty rising, pain and in extreme cases cracking sound during joint movement. If you pet is over weight then this will also contribute to joint problems. If you are concerned that your pet if overweight then speak to one of our nursing staff or your vet and they will do a simple check for you. If you are worried that your dog may have Osteoarthritis simply answer the questionnaire. If you answer yes to any of the questions then the vet can examine your pet, and work out what is going to be the best method of treatment.
Joints and Glucosamine
Cartilage is the protective covering over the ends of bones to allow smooth and pain free movement. When the cartilage begins to wear down the bones rub together causing pain. Damage to the cartilage can happen due to ageing, exercise or genetics. This can lead to loss of mobility and pain. Glucosamine will help repair the joints, relieving the pain caused by arthritis; it also stimulates the growth of the key components in the cartilage, connective tissue and joints. There are many joints all over the body that are subject to wear and tear. Glucosamine can halt the progression of the joint damage and help repair what damage has already been done.
Bedding:
It is very important with elderly dogs to make sure they are comfortable and have a warm place to sleep. Having a bed that is raised up off the cold floor will help to keep them warm and make it easier for them to get in and out bed. Also having their bed away from any drafts will also be of benefit. It is also a good idea to put a cover on the bedding so that can be removed and washed if needed. As pets get older they can also begin to lose control and become incontinent so having a removable cover makes it easier for you to keep it clean.
IS YOUR SENIOR PET:
Drinking more water
Urinating more often
Showing any lumps and bumps
Suffering from bad breath
Showing signs of a change in weight
Showing behavioral changes like forgetting commands or house training, less interactive
Showing signs of stiffness or limping
Stiffness after exercise
Having difficulty rising from a resting position
Having trouble climbing stairs
Book an appointment at your preferred Vets4Pets practices today!
Senior Pets
Aging is an unavoidable part of life, and when it comes to our pets, some will age without any major issues, and some will need a little extra TLC. It is important to know what age-related changes look like and how to manage them appropriately, so we can ensure our pets are comfortable.
When does my pet become a senior?
This can vary between individuals and can be greatly influenced by breed, size, pre-existing health conditions and living situations, but typically:
Small dogs – six to seven years old.
Large dogs – five to six years old.
Cats – eight to ten years old.
You might notice some physical and behavioural changes, such as:
Greying or whitening fur around the nose and mouth or throughout the coat.
A general ‘slowing down’ or a slightly less bouncy personality.
Longer and more frequent naps throughout the day.
More frequent urination, and perhaps the odd ‘accident’.
Increased vocalisation – this can be caused by increased anxiety, confusion or frustration.
Common Senior Pet Ailments
Some of the age-related changes our pets may experience may be uncomfortable and impact their daily lives a little more than a greying moustache. If you notice any of the below it is important to have your vet check them out to determine a plan to help your pet
Arthritis (inflammation of the joints, making it uncomfortable to stand up and move around).
Loss of eyesight –caused by a clouding of the eyes, cataracts or other eye diseases.
Loss of hearing.
Incontinence – this is common in older pets but there are plenty of treatment plans your vet can recommend. Incontinence can also indicate urinary tract infections, kidney disease or hormonal changes.
Weight changes – due to reduced physical activity and/or changes in hormones as they age, older pets can gain weight. You may also find that they lose weight due to a changed appetite, reduced nutrient absorption, reduced muscle mass or even a digestive illness. Weight gain or loss as a pet ages isn’t normal and should be investigated by your vet.
Lumps and bumps are definitely more common as our pets age! It is always recommended to get them checked by a vet to rule out possible nasties.
Smelly breath – just like us, our pet’s immune systems weaken with age, so their bodies can’t fight off germs as easily as they once did. We can see this as gum disease, tooth decay, or other infections in the mouth, leading to smelly breath. Smelly breath can mean a painful mouth for your pet (not to mention offensive to us!) so check in with our team if you notice this.
How can I make my senior pet more comfortable?
There are plenty of ways to manage your pet’s aging, and these tips are very easy to implement:
Talk to your vet about your pet’s diet – they may need more nutritious food for nurturing specific conditions and even the inclusion of dietary supplements.
Let your senior pet sleep inside in winter – keeping them comfy and warm will keep them feeling safe and secure, as well as help to alleviate any arthritis symptoms.
Provide them with soft and easily accessible (not too high or low) bedding.
Add extra water bowls around the house (and closer to their bed area) so they do not need to move around unnecessarily.
Raise food and water bowls to prevent your pet needing to hunch to access the contents.
Offer extra litter trays or make sure their toileting area is easily accessible.
Keep your senior pet active with simple, low impact activities and exercises.
Keep an eye on the temperature. As pets age they may struggle with regulating their body temperature – in winter keep your pet indoors where possible, move their bedding inside and investigate pet jackets or jumpers for some breeds.
If you have a senior pet, we invite you to come into the clinic for a health check to make sure your best friend is in tip-top shape, especially ahead of the winter months where the cooler temperatures can slow everyone down. Please call us or book an appointment online for your consultation.
