Honoring Senior Pets and Caring for Them
November is National Senior Pet Month and a perfect time to not only celebrate your senior but to learn how to care for aging pets. This includes regular vet checkups, tailored exercise routines, and more.

As pets age, they have different needs, physically, mentally, and medically. “Regular veterinary examinations can detect problems in older pets, before those problems become serious or life-threatening, which can lead to a longer, healthier life for your pet,” according to the article, “Caring for senior cats and dogs” at American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Older pets are more susceptible to age-related issues and some diseases. This often means more vet visits, a different diet, and lifestyle. The AVMA article suggests:

· More veterinary care
· Change in diet and nutrition
· Controlling weight
· Controlling parasites
· Vaccination requirements for older pets
· Appropriate exercise
· Keeping up their mental health

There are more common health problems in both senior cats and dogs. According to the AVMA article, “Cancer is the cause of death in almost half of dogs and about a third of cats over 10 years old.” Some signs to look for include:

· Abdominal swelling
· Bleeding from nose, mouth, or other body openings
· Hard to eat, swallow, or breathe
· Lumps, bumps, or discolored skin
· Non-healing sores

Senior pets may have different grooming needs. “They may have trouble keeping themselves clean or reaching areas to groom, so more frequent bathing or trimmings may be necessary,” according to the article, “5 Expert Tips for Caring for Senior Pets” at ASPCA.

Keep your pet’s coat brushed and clean. Tangling can cause a lot of discomfort for your pet. It’s also important to ensure your pet’s nails are not too long.

Ensure your pet’s senior years are golden. If you have concerns, contact your veterinarian.

Thanksgiving Tips: Keeping Your Pet Safe During the Feast
Soon people around the country will celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s important to keep your pet safe around the food and all the commotion of guests.

Guests usually mean doors opening and closing, according to the article, “Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Pets” at the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). “This gives pets more chances to dart outside unnoticed and escape,” the article said. When your pet flees outside the chances of becoming lost, being hit by a car, or meeting other animals become greater. Help protect your pet by doing the following:

· Place pets in a safe, quiet room.
· Use barriers or baby gates to keep pets away from open doors.
· Ensure your pet is microchipped with updated information.
· Your pet should always wear a collar with “legible identification tags.”

According to the AAHA article, keep your pets away from lit candles (use flameless candles placed out of reach), electrical cords (secure cords with protective covers), and decorative plants (artificial plants can do the trick).

Don’t offer foods that can be harmful to pets. According to the article, “Thanksgiving Safety Tips” at ASPCA, “If you do decide to feed your pet a small bite of turkey or other meat, make sure it’s boneless and fully cooked.” Some spices and ingredients can be toxic to pets, including onions and garlic. Bouillon cubes and raw yeast bread dough are also dangerous. Keep your pets away from the desserts. Raw eggs, artificial sweeteners, and chocolate can cause major damage.

Where there’s food, there’s trash. Take out your garbage so that your pet doesn’t get into it. All those items you don’t want your pet to get into will likely be in the trash. “Try to remember to empty your trash throughout the day so that curious pets don’t get into trouble,” the ASPCA article said.

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets
Halloween is just about here and that means scary fun for the entire family, including pets. From costumes and candy to parties and trick-or-treating, being safe is always a priority. So how do you keep your pets safe?

Costumes are not for all pets. If your pet does wear a costume, make sure your pet is OK with the costume and that it’s safe for her to wear. According to the article, “Halloween Pet Safety Tips” at petMD.com, “Costumes need to fit properly without restricting movement, causing trouble breathing, or rubbing anywhere that might cause red spots or sores.”

It’s important to keep an eye on your pet while they are in the costume. It’s also a good idea not to keep the costume on your pet for too long. Signs of discomfort or anxiety in dogs can include lip licking, head turning, tucked tail, growling, and more. If you witness any of these, take off the costume. Cats may pace or become restless; they may hide or show decreased appetite.

Halloween candy is a no-no for pets. According to the article, “These 6 Halloween Pet Safety Tips Are Fright-Night Necessities” at Chewy.com, “Your pet should never eat any kind of candy,” but some types can be very toxic, including:
• Chocolate
• Raisins
• Sugar-free candy
• Caramel apples
• Candy corn
• Macadamia nuts

Let’s not forget trick-or-treaters, as they can be a cause of stress for pets. According to the Chewy article, it’s important to keep your pets away from the front door. The door will open and close multiple times and you want to ensure your pet doesn’t get out. Use a pet gate, a crate, or leave your pet in another room with the door closed. It’s always best to keep your pet safe.

October is Pet Wellness Month
Did you know October is Pet Wellness Month? What a perfect time to put your pet’s health first by focusing on preventive care, regular check-ups, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your pet. You love your dog, why not show how much by keeping him healthy.

Preventive care for dogs is so important and helps your pet down the line. According to the article, “Celebrating Pet Wellness Month: A Dog’s Best Friend” at Dogtopia, start with veterinary check-ups for your pet on a regular basis. “Routine examinations can help identify problems like dental issues, heart conditions, hip dysplasia, and cancer before they become more advanced and challenging to manage,” the article said. Keep your dog up to date on important vaccinations while also ensuring your dog gets a balanced and nutritious diet as well as regular exercise.

Along with their physical health, dogs need good mental stimulation. “Boredom can lead to behavioral issues like excessive barking and destructive chewing,” the Dogtopia article said. You can help keep your dog’s mind active by providing her with puzzles, interactive toys, and engaging games.

Keeping dogs healthy all year long is crucial and helps dogs live longer lives, according to the article, “October Is Pet Wellness Month: 10 Tips For Dog Wellness” at Dogtime.com. “Adequate nutrition keeps a dog fit and healthy and helps prevent many diseases,” the article said.

The Dogtime article also suggested the following for a healthy lifestyle for your dog:

• Don’t overfeed. You want your dog to maintain a good weight. “An overweight pet has a decreased quality of life,” the Dogtime article said.
• Ensure your dog gets enough exercise including walking, playing, and hiking.
• Keep up on dental care for your dog.
• Brush their fur.

The healthier your dog, the better life he will live.

Understanding Your Dog’s Health in September
In September, as kids are back in school, it’s a good time to delve into important health considerations for your dog. That includes nutritional tips and blood pressure awareness.

Did you know that your dog can get high blood pressure or systemic hypertension? This “describes high blood pressure throughout the body: a sustained elevation in systolic pressure of 140mmHg or greater, in diastolic pressure of 90mmHg or greater, or both,” according to the article, “Systemic Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) in Dogs” at VCA Hospitals. The article says that the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine suggests that treatment should occur “when systolic pressure remains over 160 mmHg persistently.”
According to the article, some signs of hypertension in dogs include:
• Sudden blindness
• Detached retina
• Blood in urine
• Nervous system signs such as depression, head tilt, and seizures
Hypertension in dogs can be managed, and treatment “depends upon the underlying cause, if any,” the article said.
Also important for your dog’s overall health is good nutrition and a balanced diet. “Nutrients are substances obtained from food and used by an animal as a source of energy and as part of the metabolic machinery necessary for maintenance and growth,” according to the article, “Dog Nutrition Tips” at ASPCA.
As per the ASPCA article, the following nutrients are significant for maintenance and growth.
• Water. “Essential to life, water accounts for between 60 to 70% of an adult pet’s body weight,” the ASPCA article said.
• Proteins, from chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, etc.
• Fats, which “are the most concentrated form of food energy, providing your pet with more than twice the energy of proteins or carbohydrates,” the ASPCA article said.
• Carbohydrates
• Vitamins
• Minerals
Keeping your dog healthy is priority No. 1. Speak with your vet and ensure your dog’s health is on the right track.

Tick Talk: Preventing Fall Parasites
Parasites on your pets can be a nuisance. Parasites are around no matter the time of year, so it’s important to keep up with prevention in all the seasons.
“Despite the widespread availability of safe and effective treatments, internal and external parasites remain common in dogs, particularly in those who do not receive routine veterinary care,” according to the article, “Parasite Control” at American Animal Hospital Association.
Today, treating and controlling external parasites is easy due to advanced breakthroughs in veterinary medicine. “Besides being extremely irritating, infestations can cause serious skin problems or even disease,” according to the article, “External parasites” at American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
There are ways to manage external parasites. The AVMA lists some of the top tips, including:
• Use parasite preventives. Additionally, “promptly treat any infestations—to avoid or lessen your pet’s discomfort, disease transmission, and home infestation from external parasites,” the AVMA article said.
• Check your pet “for fleas, ticks, and coat abnormalities.”
• If you notice your pet scratching, chewing, or licking more than normal, get to the vet.
• Talk to your vet about products that can help.
Help prevent parasites in dogs by doing simple things around the home. It’s easier and cheaper than you think, according to the article, “Prevent your dog from getting parasites” at VCA Hospitals.
The VCA article recommends the following:
• Be quick to clean up after your dog. Dog waste in the yard allows parasite eggs to spread.
• Keep your dog from standing water and contaminated areas.
• Wash your dog’s bedding and vacuum your home on a regular basis.
• Check your dog for fleas and ticks before he enters the home.
• “Regular checkups, fecal tests and screenings help catch parasites early,” the VCA article said.
The best way to keep parasites at bay is by using preventive medications.