Similar to human beings, our pet animals experience changes in the body as they become older. Therefore, as pet owners, we should be knowledgeable and capable of modifying the way we care for them to meet their elderly pet requirements. Compared to younger pets, senior pets have a greater need for care and attention. However, the additional care and adjustment don't always have to be extremely difficult to do provided you know what to expect among older animals and you offer the proper care. By properly giving care that's good for elderly pets, these animals have even the capability to double their average life spans. You also have the chance of investing more fantastic years with your precious pet as he/she ages.
Animals go through physical changes as they grow older and that can either be slow or fast. However, these changes aren't the same for all kinds of pets - every type has a specific pattern on physical changes. Dogs experience changes depending on their breed. Most dogs are in their senior years at the age of seven. The little breeds, on the other hand, have a few more years. Meanwhile, cats are also considered to be elderly when they reach 7 to 10 years of age.
Aging pets have decreasing ability to move; and this is one of the most common features among them. This results from the existence of stiff and painful joints, known as arthritis. If this condition has not happened to your animal yet, you can try to delay it from happening by letting your animal regularly do suitable types of exercises. You may even observe that your animal will avoid passing through certain types of floors, such as wood or slick tiles. What you can do is to place an area rug to cover the floor so your pet can still freely move around like he/she always used to inside the house. If you opted to provide your pet with assistance in doing specific activities like climbing up the stairs, you might want to consider having a pet gate installed and locked. This will make sure that your puppy will not be lured to climb up the stairs on her/his own without your support and end up falling and getting injured.
There is a possibility for older pets to go outdoor more often so they can relieve themselves. So ensure that you give them enough time to spend outside the house. However, in times when your pets have joint disease, they lose the desire to stand up and go outside due to the pain in their joints. You can provide your cats with several litter boxes around the house, or your dog with portable indoor "doggie potties."
If your pets are accustomed to going anywhere with you inside your automobile, they could also have trouble jumping to get in the automobile when they're old. Unless your pet is small and could be easily carried, then you can simply just carry him or her up to get inside the vehicle. But if your pet is big or you just want your pet to still be able to get in the vehicle on his/her own, you can give pet stairs for your pet to climb on to get inside the automobile.
Giving your puppy with heated and therapeutic foam bedding and doggie diapers is also an excellent idea because this will help soothe their hurting and swelling joints especially during cold times.
Another thing to think about among aging animals is that their epidermis and coat become increasingly susceptible to dryness. It is thus better to regularly groom your pet as they age to get rid of the dryness on their skin and coat. Regular proper grooming will also enable you to immediately identify early indications of the development of tumors and other severe abnormalities.
Aging animals are also very much susceptible to obesity because of less number of activities. Obesity can cause different health problems. Therefore it is important to adjust the quantity of food they eat.
Most important of all, do continue to bath your senior animals with love and attention so they can still meet their psychological stimulation needs.
Animals go through physical changes as they grow older and that can either be slow or fast. However, these changes aren't the same for all kinds of pets - every type has a specific pattern on physical changes. Dogs experience changes depending on their breed. Most dogs are in their senior years at the age of seven. The little breeds, on the other hand, have a few more years. Meanwhile, cats are also considered to be elderly when they reach 7 to 10 years of age.
Aging pets have decreasing ability to move; and this is one of the most common features among them. This results from the existence of stiff and painful joints, known as arthritis. If this condition has not happened to your animal yet, you can try to delay it from happening by letting your animal regularly do suitable types of exercises. You may even observe that your animal will avoid passing through certain types of floors, such as wood or slick tiles. What you can do is to place an area rug to cover the floor so your pet can still freely move around like he/she always used to inside the house. If you opted to provide your pet with assistance in doing specific activities like climbing up the stairs, you might want to consider having a pet gate installed and locked. This will make sure that your puppy will not be lured to climb up the stairs on her/his own without your support and end up falling and getting injured.
There is a possibility for older pets to go outdoor more often so they can relieve themselves. So ensure that you give them enough time to spend outside the house. However, in times when your pets have joint disease, they lose the desire to stand up and go outside due to the pain in their joints. You can provide your cats with several litter boxes around the house, or your dog with portable indoor "doggie potties."
If your pets are accustomed to going anywhere with you inside your automobile, they could also have trouble jumping to get in the automobile when they're old. Unless your pet is small and could be easily carried, then you can simply just carry him or her up to get inside the vehicle. But if your pet is big or you just want your pet to still be able to get in the vehicle on his/her own, you can give pet stairs for your pet to climb on to get inside the automobile.
Giving your puppy with heated and therapeutic foam bedding and doggie diapers is also an excellent idea because this will help soothe their hurting and swelling joints especially during cold times.
Another thing to think about among aging animals is that their epidermis and coat become increasingly susceptible to dryness. It is thus better to regularly groom your pet as they age to get rid of the dryness on their skin and coat. Regular proper grooming will also enable you to immediately identify early indications of the development of tumors and other severe abnormalities.
Aging animals are also very much susceptible to obesity because of less number of activities. Obesity can cause different health problems. Therefore it is important to adjust the quantity of food they eat.
Most important of all, do continue to bath your senior animals with love and attention so they can still meet their psychological stimulation needs.
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