Caring for an ageing pet often takes us down the memory lane. Just a few months ago they were young and playful and energetic, while in the blink of an eye they are right here, in front of you, struggling to climb the stairs or making extra efforts to get up. If you have a senior pet or ageing pet who is slowing down, one thing is for sure: they need extra care and love. But don’t worry. At VetSupply, we have a thoughtfully curated section for all ageing pets’ care needs to help them live a comfortable and healthy life.
At What Age are Dogs & Cats Considered Senior?
The age your pet is considered senior varies based on their type and breed. For medium and large breed dogs, the senior status is achieved at 7, whereas the large breed dogs start slowing down as early as 5 or 6 years of age. For cats, the geriatric lifespan starts at around 14 years. Horses are generally considered old starting around 18 years. When your pet reaches senior status, it may begin to experience specific health problems and require additional care to manage them.
Common Senior Pet Health Problems
Here are some of the pet ageing signs that alert us for the changing needs and life stage of the pet.
- Slowing down
- Dental diseases
- Decreased energy
- Skin and coat changes
- Cognitive decline
- Arthritis & joint pain
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- Urinary tract disease
- Liver & kidney problems
- Arthritis
Top Tips for Senior Pet Care
Caring for senior pets includes a thoughtful approach to help them age gracefully. This may include something as small as changes to their living space and changes in their diet to regular veterinary checkups, annual screenings, and so on.
- Changes in diet: Senior pets benefit from ageing pet care food that is specifically formulated to provide them with nutrients essential for their life stage.
- Regular veterinary checkups: Timely veterinary checkups are crucial for keeping senior pets healthy and disease-free. It also helps in the early detection of any underlying health problems.
- Changes in living space: Small changes like replacing their food bowls with elevated, non-slippery bowls and switching from normal pet beds to orthopaedic pet beds can make a big difference to your pet’s comfort.
- Additional supplements: Ageing cat supplements and dog supplements are formulated with nutrients essential for maintaining and supporting their overall health as they age.
- Weight management: Extra weight can put additional pressure on your pet’s joints and lead to joint problems in their senior years. An ideal weight can be maintained with weight loss or management dog food and physical activity.
- Physical & mental activity: Regular playtime and stimulating activities can help prevent cognitive decline and promote overall well-being by keeping them physically and emotionally healthy.
VetSupply offers everything you need to care for your older pets. Help your beloved animal companion navigate through its golden years with the best senior pet essentials, ensuring they don’t have to suffer from any pain or despair. Shop now!