As a pet parent, it’s a beautiful experience to see your furry companion grow over the years. However, they like their pet parents also age. As they age, their body and behavior would start to change. It’s a slow process, and sometimes it’s hard to notice these changes. This article aims to make it simpler for you to understand what changes to expect as your pet grows older. Not only that, this article will provide guidance on how to take care of your pets during this stage of their life.
Changes in the Physical Appearance of Your Aging Pet
When pets grow old, you will notice that they will start to change physically. Their hair may lose its shine, and their bright, lively eyes might appear dull. There is a possibility of arthritis in pets or hip dysplasia. Both these conditions affect the mobility of your pet.
- Changes in Pet Mobility: Your pet might start having difficulty moving around. They may struggle to climb stairs, jump on their favorite spots, or even when walking. This decrease in mobility can be due to arthritis or hip dysplasia. It’s a common problem faced by pets as they age.
- Changes in Coat: The hair of your pets may start to lose its shine because of aging. It may even become thin. Aside from that, you may notice that the color of their coat is also changing. Aging pets usually have gray around their face and muzzles.
- Changes in Eyes: As your pet ages, the clarity in their eyes will begin to fade. Their eyes will start to look cloudy. This may be one of the early signs of cataracts or other age-related eye conditions.
Changes in the Behavior of Aging Pets
Just like humans, older pets also show changes in their behavior. It can either be due to a physical condition or cognitive degeneration. These changes can include making more noise than usual, changes in their sleep patterns, or loss of house training.
- Excessive Vocalization: You may start noticing that your pet is making more noise than usual. Increased barking, howling, or meowing can be because of stress, pain, or cognitive decline in your older pet.
- Changes in Sleep-Wake Cycles: Aging pets may begin to sleep more during the day and stay awake during nighttime. This change in sleep-wake cycles is related to age-related changes.
- Loss of House Training: Older pets may forget how to use the litter box or start having accidents inside the house. It can be because they have lost bladder control or their cognitive decline.
Changes in Weight and Appetite in Aging Pets
Loss of appetite and decrease in weight are also among the signs of aging in pets. This can be an indicator of several geriatric pet health issues. It’s important that you monitor the eating habits of your pets and their weight as they age.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: If your pet is losing weight without any reason, it may be a sign of a health issue. Regular check-ups with the vet can help identify any possible health concerns.
- Loss of Appetite: Aging pets may start eating less than usual. It can be a sign of dental diseases, problems with the gastrointestinal system, or other health-related issues. If your pet starts avoiding their food, it’s time to call your vet and have them checked.
Importance of Pet Physical Rehabilitation
If your pet is having problems with mobility or any other physical issues, consider physical therapy for pets. This uses principles of hydrotherapy and underwater treadmill therapy. These therapies have been shown to help aging pets move better, thus improving their quality of life. For more info on this topic, visit your nearest animal rehabilitation centers or vet clinics. They can explain this in detail.
- Enhancing Pet Mobility: If your pet is suffering from arthritis or having problems with their mobility, specific exercises and therapies can be of great help. Exercises like the passive range of motion (PROM), in conjunction with therapies like hydrotherapy, and underwater treadmill therapy, can greatly improve the mobility of your aging pets.
- Rehabilitation at Home: Along with professional therapies, you can also consider home rehabilitation routine for your pets. Massage therapies and gentle exercises done at home can make physical rehabilitation more effective for your pet.
The Growing Field of Vet Geriatrics
Veterinary care for seniors, also known as Geriatric pet care, is a field of veterinary medicine that specializes in the care of older pets. This includes regular health checks, nutritional counseling, and the diagnosis and treatment of age-related health conditions of your pets.
- Proper Health Checks: Regular health check-ups become more important as pets age. These check-ups help in early detection and timely treatment of diseases that are common in older pets.
- Nutritional Counseling: The nutritional needs of pets change as they age. A vet can provide guidelines on how to modify the diet of your pet to support their overall health.
Vet Surgery for Aging Pets
If your pet needs a more serious treatment like surgery for you pet, don’t worry. There are post-operative care procedures and advances in veterinary medicine that can help with the recovery after vet surgery.
- Understanding Pet Surgical Procedures: Depending on the health conditions of your pet, surgical interventions may be required. It could be an orthopedic surgery or the removal of a tumor. Vets with experience can guide you on how to prepare your pet and what to expect after the surgery.
- Recovery after Surgery: What you do after the surgery plays a big role in the recovery of your pet. Rehabilitation exercises, providing a comfortable environment for recovery, and monitoring of your pet are all crucial for a successful recovery after surgery.
To End
To conclude, aging is a normal stage in the life cycle of your pet. Many age-related changes can be handled comfortably with timely detection and proper management. This ensures that your pet enjoys a good quality of life during their golden years. As pet owners, we should always stay alert and be ready to adjust to the changing needs of our pets as they age. Our pets gave us the best years of their lives. Let’s give them the best during their golden years as well.
