Caring for Your Senior Pet

Just as with humans, our animal companions experience a variety of changes as they age. It’s up to us to be able to recognize these changes and do our best to help ease our pets into their golden years with dignity and comfort. Below, an Ohio vet shares some tips for providing the proper care to help keep your senior pet happy and healthy

Some common signs of age that you and your Ohio vet may begin to notice as your pet gets older include:

The good news is there are a number of things you can do at home to help keep your aging pet comfortable and healthy as he or she navigates their senior years.

Provide Exercise – Just because your pet is getting older doesn’t mean exercise shouldn’t still be a part of their daily routine. Work with your Ohio vet to determine the types of activities and intensity level that would best suit your pet’s needs.

Offer Comfortable Bedding – Aging pets often suffer from pain in their muscles and joints, which can make it uncomfortable to sit or lay on hard surfaces. Help ease your pet’s discomfort by supplying a bed with extra padding.

Keep Lights Up – If your Ohio vet advises you that your pet may not be able to see as well as they used to, you can help accommodate your animal companion by keeping your home well lit.

Provide Good Traction – For an elderly animal, one slip and fall could spell disaster. Reduce this risk by using carpeting or flooring that offers more traction to make it easier for your pet to get around.

Keep Up with Vet Visits – Senior pets should receive a thorough physical exam from their Ohio vet at least twice a year. The sooner medical issues are identified and diagnosed, the better the outcome.

Helping your pet navigate the senior years is a challenging job, but by following these tips and working closely with your Ohio vet, you can improve the chances of your animal companion enjoying their golden years as healthy and comfortably as possible.