No one can escape the effects of aging, even our beloved pets. Even if you don’t track their growth, their age will creep up on you one day, and you’ll have to change how you care for them in just one click.
If you notice that your aging pet is changing its behavior, here are some home modifications you can do to make their home life better.
How Can You Tell That Your Dog or Cat Is a Senior?
It’s not always easy to tell whether an animal is getting older or if their age is catching up with them. If you suspect your dog or cat is getting older, there are some warning signs your pet’s age is catching up with him.
For instance, if your dog or cat is about to become an elder, you might notice that its fur does not seem as energetic as it used to be. It may not be able to stand up on its hind legs like it used to.
What Are the Common Senior Pet Issues You Must Watch Out For?
1. Reduced Mobility Due to Arthritis
Some pets can get arthritis, which can cause them a lot of pain. This pain can make them the opposite of their usual selves. They might be seen as a little cranky, and they might not want to move around as much as they used to.
They might not want to go out for their usual walks, and they might not want to play as much. You won’t see them going up or down the stairs as much, but they might want to go back to the blanketed areas of your house to seek comfort.
2. Behavioral Changes
Just as aging affects people, aging also affects dogs and cats. Simply put, your dog or cat could be losing some of their sparkle.
Your dog might be slower when barking at the doorbell for their favorite person to come to the door. They might also become more passive and not want to be around other pets, especially other dogs in the household.
3. Vision Problems
As our pets age, their vision may become impaired. This is worsened when we get one of those “senior pets” who already has a little vision problem in their early years.
As this happens, your dog or cat might not want to go out or be unable to find their way around the house. They might have trouble getting outside in time when they need to go potty, which of course, leads to some bad smells.
4. More Likely to Get Diseases
Older pets are much more vulnerable to infections, so they are more prone to getting diseases. The longer they stay in the same place, the more susceptible they are to getting infections, and the conditions are much more dangerous to them than they used to be.
How Can You Make Home Life Better for Senior Pets?
1. Help Your Pet Go Up and Down
You can help make your senior pet’s life easier by ensuring they don’t have to go up the stairs all the time. Moving their food and water bowls up to an area they can quickly get to is an excellent way to start.
2. Add Non-Slip Rugs and Yoga Mats
If your dog or cat always seems to slip around, you can add some non-slip rugs and yoga mats to the areas of concern. This will help them gain traction when getting where they need to go.
3. Remove Obstacles in Their Path
If your dog always seems to bump into things, you can make things safer for them by removing the obstacles in their path. You can move the furniture around to get them a better approach to follow. If their path is too cluttered, you can remove any extra clutter to make it easier for them.
4. Make Things More Accessible
It’s important to make things more accessible for your senior pets. Help your dogs and cats get to their water, food, treats, and other pet supplies quickly by making everything easily accessible.
Make sure their water bowl has enough water in it and that their food bowl has enough food. Give your pets easy access to their favorite couch or a rug they enjoy laying on.
5. Add Extra Padding for Their Bed
Adding extra padding to their beds can make things more comfortable for your senior pets. This can help them rest easily in their beds, and it can help them get more comfortable while they sleep, too.
6. Help Them Keep to a Schedule
Try to keep your senior pet’s schedule on track. It’s best to feed them on a schedule, and it’s best to remember to take them out for their walks regularly. Even if it’s not a big activity, it’s still an activity that can help them stay fit and healthy.
7. Keep the House From Getting Too Cold
Another thing you can do to keep your senior pet happy is to ensure the house doesn’t get too cold. It’s best to keep the temperature in your home on the warmer side. If they are too cold, they might not want to go out.
8. Be Available to Take Them Outside
If your dog or cat’s vision is impaired, they might not be able to get outside when they need to go to the bathroom. This is a problem for both you and your pet; it’s better for you if you have someone available to take them out when you are not home.
9. Consider Adding a Ramp
A lot of older dogs and cats might not want to make an effort to go up or down the stairs. Some might be a little wary of stairs, and others might just not want to go up or down them. Either way, they might not be willing to do it.
You can help your seniors by getting a ramp for the stairs. Accessibility ramps will get them from floor to floor, making it easier for them to get around.
10. Visit the Vet Regularly
It’s important to schedule regular vet visits for your senior pets. Regular consultations with the vet will help you catch any problems before they get out of hand, and it can keep things under control.
11. Consider joint support supplements and products
Glucosamine products are available at Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies in both liquid and treat forms for both cats and dogs and can aid the aging process by replenishing needed building blocks for joint support. Consider a new bed with a thick base and a new, clean, plush surface. CBD can be a great addition to help with aches and pains also in both liquid and treat forms.
12. Consider Softer Foods
How about softer, more easily chewed bone options like "Nothing to Hide" or beef check rolls? Strongly consider adding some fresh, pasteurized, lightly cooked, freeze-dried, or air-dried dog or cat foods to your dog's or cat's diet. These specifically- formulated foods are available in many formulas and are much easier to digest and consume, and have superior nutrition that will boost immune systems and allow for easier digestion.
In fact, we are calling August "Rawgust" featuring lots of brand options for both young and elderly animals. Ask about a few samples!! And, ask your friendly Wags Team professional for lots more helpful suggestions!!
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of things you can do to help senior pets get around more accessible. You can help them get where they need to go, and you can help them stay comfortable in their home. Take the time to make these small changes, and you’ll be able to keep your pet comfortable for a long time.
Make sure you can provide everything your senior pet needs by visiting Wags to Wiskers. We are a holistic pet store in Ludington, Chelsea, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and we offer specialized, natural, and healthy foods for your pets, particularly dogs and cats.