Just like us, our canine and feline pets grow old too. That’s why, age relevant exercise, lifestyle and healthcare interventions can help to ease them through their golden years.
Preventative health care for the older pet is about being proactive with early detection of any potential problems, whilst maintaining overall health and wellness. Below are some examples of how to help protect the health of your cat or dog:
- Health checks provide the perfect opportunity for your pet to be protected against health risks and assessed for any signs of disease.
- Vaccinations and routine parasite control for fleas, worms, and ticks.
- Check-ups to detect changes in mobility, dental health, and eyesight.
We provide details below on common age-related changes to keep an eye out for in our senior pets.
- Mobility: it’s very common for our senior pets to slow down and find exercising more difficult. You may notice they are stiff after a walk or when getting up from their sleeping position. Non-slip mats to cover slippery floors and a supportive bed can make a big difference to your dog and cat. Often a combination of medication alongside physical therapies will be suggested to help keep your pet comfortable, mobile and pain free. There are options to help your pet and it’s best to speak to your vet as soon as you notice any changes in exercise tolerance or general mobility.
Top Tip: Keeping an exercise diary is an excellent way to record your pet’s mobility and help you to notice any subtle changes over time.
- Eyesight: most animals cope well with a gradual reduction in vision but be mindful to keep room layouts the same and not leave trip hazards lying around. Cats might need their outdoor time restricted if their eyesight becomes less effective. It’s worth letting your vet team know if you notice your pet’s eyes becoming cloudy or they are suddenly struggling with their vision.
- Teeth: check your pet’s teeth and if they’ll allow you to, brush their teeth on a regular basis to reduce tartar build-up. Strong odours, damaged teeth or changes in eating habits, such as chewing on one side or showing a preference for softer foods are all signs that your pet may need their teeth checked by a vet.
- Diet and weight management: if your dog or cat is overweight it will put stress on all of their body systems and joints so keeping them at an ideal bodyweight is really important for their health and overall wellbeing. There are lots of life stage specific foods available for the senior pet, to help provide the correct levels of fats, proteins, and calories into their diets. Remember to make any dietary changes gradually over a period of several days. Your vet may be able to recommend a specific diet for your pet, so it’s always best to check with them if you’re unsure.
For more information or details on any other pet health related query, please contact the team of Registered Veterinary Nurses at PetConnect.
What would your pets say if you didn’t cover them with pet insurance?
We understand being a pet parent can be tough, especially if your pet is unwell. It’s important to consider pet insurance even if you have a new dog or cat or puppy or kitten, as it can help provide peace of mind that your pet is covered if they go to the vet and get the treatment they need to get better.
How does pet insurance work?
There’s no NHS for pets. We understand your pets are part of the family and you want to make sure they are safe and well. Pet insurance can help to provide you as a pet owner with peace of mind knowing that if your pet becomes ill or is unwell, you’ll receive help paying for any unexpected veterinary treatment.
Get a quote for your cat or dog