{"id":273,"date":"2015-01-17T17:58:23","date_gmt":"2015-01-18T00:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/?p=273"},"modified":"2024-07-25T04:40:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T11:40:05","slug":"young-heart-caring-senior-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/young-heart-caring-senior-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Young at Heart: Caring for Senior Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/a>There is no age limit when it comes to how much love and joy a pet can bring into our lives. This is especially true when it comes to our four-legged geriatric friends. Opening your home and heart to a senior dog or cat, or caring for an aging pet who has been with you since puppy or kitten years, is deeply rewarding. Older pets are charismatic, generally mellower, oftentimes settled in to the routines and rules of the household, and affectionately grateful for the time you spend together.<\/p>\n

However, caring for a senior pet does require some adjustments and considerations that weren\u2019t necessary during his or her younger years. Understanding the changing health needs of senior pets is vital for successfully navigating your pet\u2019s golden years.<\/p>\n

The good news is, with a little forethought, you can expect to watch your best fur friend age gracefully and with the enthusiasm and unabashed joy of those younger years.<\/p>\n

Veterinary Wellness Care for Senior Pets<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

When your pet was younger, you may have only had to pencil in those wellness exams annually. But, as your pet ages (generally 7 years and older), it is recommended that your pet\u2019s wellness exam schedule increase to bi-annually (twice a year). The chances of developing a disease or health condition increase with age, and oftentimes the symptoms are nonexistent or hard to detect until the problem is more serious. By monitoring your pet\u2019s health more frequently with biannual exams, we are more likely to diagnose potential problems and help mitigate issues that relate to pain or decreased mobility.<\/p>\n

Nutrition and Weight<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

As pets age, they may experience problems with digestion and require nutritive formulated diets to help them acquire the vitamins and minerals they need, while maintaining age-specific caloric requirements. Many senior pets also benefit from supplemental vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids, often found in fish oils, which can help improve mobility.<\/p>\n

If you have questions about your senior pet\u2019s dietary needs, or notice a marked change in his or her eating habits, please don\u2019t wait to call us.<\/p>\n

Mobility and Exercise<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

While your senior pet may not be running a marathon this year, make no mistake about it \u2013 he or she needs daily exercise. Walking for 20-30 minutes can help reduce joint degeneration pain associated with arthritis, a common condition among most seniors. While walking, pay close attention to your pet\u2019s level of energy and whether or not he or she is exhibiting symptoms of pain. Take extra precautions when it comes to weather conditions, as our seniors are more susceptible to heat and cold.<\/p>\n

Dental Health for Senior Pets<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

Even if you have never brushed your pet\u2019s teeth before, it is never too late to pay attention to oral health and dental care. Good dental hygiene can even add years to the life of your pet and help discourage tooth loss and periodontal disease. Rocklin Ranch offers an array of comprehensive pet dental care services<\/a>, from routine teeth cleaning to the highest quality anesthetic and from veterinary dental to oral surgical care. We can even help get you started on that important tooth-brushing regime!<\/p>\n

Behavioral Changes in Senior Pets<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

As your pet ages, it is common for him or her to experience hearing and vision deterioration. Combine these limitations with mobility challenges, and \u2013 for some pets \u2013 you may start to see behavioral changes. With reduced sight and hearing come increased risks for accidents and disorientation, which can sometimes instill fear or anxiety in a pet who was once the life of the party.<\/p>\n

Recent studies have also shown that dogs and cats can experience age-related cognitive dysfunction<\/a>. Many behavioral changes can also be red flags, indicating an underlying illness or increased level of pain. To be on the safe side, schedule an appointment for your pet to be thoroughly examined when any changes in behavior occur.<\/p>\n

Through maintaining your pet\u2019s age-specific recommendations for nutrition, veterinary care, dental care, and exercise, it\u2019s entirely possible to keep him or her vital, active, and happy throughout all life stages. Senior pets offer us a chance to slow down, pay attention, and enjoy those moments of snuggle times, laughs, and even challenges.<\/p>\n

We at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital love our senior pals and have tailored some of our wellness care services<\/a> to meet their needs specifically. Call us to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is no age limit when it comes to how much love and joy a pet can bring into our lives. This is especially true when it comes to our four-legged geriatric friends. Opening your home and heart to a senior dog or cat, or caring for an aging pet who has been with you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,15],"tags":[25,118,119],"class_list":["post-273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-health-wellness","category-senior-pet-care","tag-rocklin-ranch-veterinary-hospital","tag-senior-pet-care","tag-senior-pets"],"yoast_head":"\nYoung at Heart: Caring for Senior Pets | RRVH Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Senior pets offer us a chance to slow down, pay attention, and enjoy those moments of snuggle times, laughs, and even challenges.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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