AS pets enter their geriatric years, there is a higher possibility of them suffering from age-related health issues. The Pet Food Industry Association (PFI) urge Upper Highway residents to give their older pets extra special care.
“Thankfully, most of these health issues, such as deterioration of the joints and coronary, cognitive and immune system function, can be treated quite effectively and with little effort, often using a combination of prescription medications and the correct diet,” said the PFI’s Dominique Khulmann.
Dominique said detecting age-related issues early is the first line of defense and recommended that older pets are taken to the vet at least twice a year. “This way you will not only spare your pet unnecessary suffering but will also hopefully spare your pocket, as an issue treated early can often be rectified with less medical intervention,” she said.
Although true of all life stages, it’s important, now more than ever, to give your pets access to fresh, clean water. Senior diets should be lower in calories yet still contain protein, fat and fibre. “If switching over to a new brand of food, it’s easier on your pet’s gut to do so gradually, mixing the new food into the old food and slowly increasing the ratio over a week or two.”
Here are some other general pointers to make your pet more comfortable during their later years:
-Ensure your pet maintains a healthy weight as osteoarthritis is a common disorder for older pets.
-Arthritis sufferers will feel the pain more during colder months, so special care should be taken to keep them comfortable during these periods.
-Maintain a routine of regular and low impact exercise to assist with weight management.
-Older animals may become less mobile. To assist with this, install ramps where necessary and provide extra bed padding or blankets.
-Keep up a good dental care regime, by using either pet-specific toothpaste or dental treats to reduce plaque build-up.
-As your pet grows older he or she may also begin to lose their sight or hearing, which can be stressful and cause disorientation. To minimise this stress, remove clutter and try not to change the position of furniture.
