As our cherished furry family members grow older, their needs change. Senior pets need more attention and specialized medical care than their youthful counterparts. That’s why senior pet care is so important. With care tailored to aging pets, you can help make sure your pet ages happily into her golden years.
Today, the team at Clairmont Animal Hospital will share tips to help your pet age well here in Decatur, Georgia.
Understanding Senior Pet Care
The first step to successful senior pet care is recognizing the physical and behavioral changes that come with the aging process. Aging pets often experience joint pain, reduced mobility, vision or hearing loss, and changes in appetite or energy levels.
The good news is that with regular veterinary checkups, the right nutrition, and gentle exercise, your pet can enjoy a high quality of life.
Our veterinary practice in Decatur offers key pet care services for senior pets, including:
- Senior wellness exams
- Dental care
- Pain management
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Internal medicine
- Dermatology
Routine checkups can help us catch common age-related issues early. From arthritis and kidney disease to cancer and oral disease, there’s a lot that can start to go south. But with early diagnosis and treatment on common age-related issues, your pet can continue to live a comfortable and happy life.
Adjusting Your Home for Aging Pets
Along with regular vet visits, creating a comfortable living space is crucial for senior pet care. Aging pets can struggle with mobility, and falling can quickly cause your elderly pet more pain.
Consider providing soft, arthritis-friendly bedding, pet ramps, and non-slip rugs throughout your home.
Keep in mind that older pets can be more sensitive to temperature changes. Keeping your pet’s living space warm in the winter and cool in the summer is important.
Try to avoid any extreme temperatures in general. If it’s hot and humid out, avoid taking your elderly pet for a walk until the evening or early morning when things cool off a bit. The same advice applies during the winter, especially as the weather approaches freezing.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Elderly pets may not be as active as they once were, but this doesn’t mean exercise no longer matters. Regular, gentle exercise is still important to help your pet maintain her muscle tone and joint health. Try taking short walks around the neighborhood or in one of Decatur’s many pet-friendly parks. They’ll enjoy the exercise, fresh air, and socialization!
Mental stimulation is important at this stage of life, too. Interactive toys, scent games, and even training exercises can help keep your older pets’ mind sharp. This, in turn, helps prevent or slow down the cognitive decline we so often see with age.
Senior Pet Care in Decatur, Georgia
Our skilled veterinary team at Clairmont Animal Hospital offers the services your pet needs for a long, healthy, and happy life, especially in his senior years. We love welcoming our older patients for TLC and top-notch medical care! To schedule a senior care appointment for your pet, call us at (404) 633-6163.