Caring for Your Aging Pet: What You Can Do

Just like people, pets go through changes as they get older. The good news is that, also just like people, there are both preventative and supportive treatments that can make a big difference in their health and comfort. Here are a few key areas to keep in mind as your furry friend enters their senior years:

Regular Exams

Annual—or ideally biannual—checkups are one of the most effective ways to catch health issues early. Pets age significantly faster than we do, so changes can happen quickly. At home, you can't detect a heart murmur or arrhythmia, and you likely won't see your pet's very back molars. Regular exams can spot these issues before they turn into bigger problems for your pet. The truth is, you don't really know if your pet is healthy unless you bring them in.

Weight Management

It's easy for pets to sneak on a little bit of weight year after year without you noticing. This is another trend that can be caught by regular exams. Studies show that pets who are a healthy weight, live, on average, 2 years longer than overweight pets. That’s two extra years of love and companionship.

Blood Work

Your pet may look normal on the outside, but there may be subtle changes happening on the inside. Getting regular blood work helps establish your pet's baseline, so any trending changes can be noted quickly. It's is a great way to stay on top of your pets health. Blood work can check for things like liver and kidney values, blood sugar levels, and thyroid activity, among other things. Regular monitoring ensures we catch potential issues before they become serious.

 Joint Health

Your pet's joints probably don't feel like they used to. Sometimes the signs are subtle: shifting before sitting or laying down, doing warm up bounces before jumping on the couch, or using an intermediate step before jumping on something high (going from the floor to chair to table instead of straight to the table). You might just notice it as "slowing down." The good news? There is a lot we can do to help them. In addition to keeping your pet at a healthy weight, it's never too young to start a joint supplement. For more advanced cases, there are a whole host of pain management options—including acupuncture. There is no reason your pet should be uncomfortable, and you have the ability to help them.

Brain Health

 While we don't diagnose pets with dementia or Alzheimer's, they can develop cognitive dysfunction, which is similar. Just like in people, there's no magic cure, but there are some things you can do to support their brain health. Keeping them engaged is key—who says old dogs (or cats) can't learn new tricks? Keep up with their training and engage their mind using things like food puzzles. Omega-3 fish oil supplements can also be good for brain health, while benefiting joint and skin helath at the same time.

With the right care, senior pets can live longer, healthier, and happier lives. The earlier you start these preventative steps, the more comfortable and fulfilling their golden years will be.