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.
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