Golden Oldies: Looking After Our Ageing Fur Babies

Life passes quickly. The playful puppy or kitten you brought home just a few short years ago can seem to become a mellow senior companion in the blink of an eye.

Our pets age more quickly than we do, which means their health and care requirements also change as they get older. Cats and small dogs are generally regarded as seniors from around eight years of age, while large breed dogs may be considered senior from around six years of age.

As your pet enters their senior years, paying closer attention to changes in their health, behaviour and mobility can help us identify problems earlier and keep them as comfortable as possible.

There are two main groups of changes we may see as pets age.

The first includes age-related changes that may be easier to notice at home, such as:

• Hearing loss
• Loss of sight
• Reduced activity

The second includes underlying health changes that may be less obvious initially but can have a greater impact on your pet’s wellbeing.

These may include: 

Some of these conditions may be preventable, while others can be treated or managed. The earlier they are detected, the better the opportunity we have to support your pet.

Regular veterinary check-ups become increasingly important as your pet gets older.

While a check-up every six months may seem frequent, pets age much faster than we do. They also cannot tell us when they are beginning to feel slightly unwell.

Regular health checks allow us to look for subtle changes and identify potential problems earlier.

A routine blood profile at least once every 12 months can also be an important part of senior pet care.

Many internal diseases can cause changes in blood test results before your pet begins showing obvious signs.

The sooner we identify a problem, the sooner we can begin managing or treating it.

The nutritional needs of an older pet are different from those of a younger animal.

Maintaining a healthy weight is particularly important, as obesity is linked with an increased chance of several health problems and can also place additional strain on the joints.

If you are unsure whether your senior pet’s current diet is still suitable, our team can help you review their nutritional needs.

Dental disease is common in older dogs and cats.

Dental health is something we assess during your pet’s regular health checks so that problems can be identified and treated.

Keeping on top of dental care can help keep your pet more comfortable as they age.

Keeping active is important for senior pets.

Short walks tailored to your pet’s ability can help keep their joints mobile and assist with avoiding excess weight gain.

As your pet gets older, the amount and intensity of exercise may need to be adjusted according to their individual health and mobility.

Older pets can sometimes find sudden changes to their environment stressful, particularly if they are experiencing vision loss.

Changing furniture, introducing new pets or having unfamiliar people stay in the home may be more difficult for a senior pet to adjust to.

Keeping their surroundings familiar can help make life a little easier for them.

A pet with arthritis is a pet in pain.

There are several ways to manage arthritis and joint discomfort, and the approach can be tailored to the individual pet.

Treatment may include veterinary-prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, Pentosan injections, nutraceuticals such as glucosamine and chondroitin, modified exercise programs or physiotherapy.

Simple changes at home can also help. Pets with arthritis may benefit from soft bedding and a warm, comfortable place to sleep, especially on cooler nights.

Getting older brings changes, but there is plenty we can do to help support our pets through their senior years.

Regular health checks, blood testing, good nutrition, dental care, appropriate exercise and paying attention to changes at home can all help us identify problems earlier and adjust your pet’s care as their needs change.

If you have noticed changes in your older dog or cat’s behaviour, appetite, activity or mobility, speak with our team.

We can assess their health and discuss ways to help keep them comfortable and enjoying their senior years.