How to Help Your Older Pet Navigate Aging
Watching a beloved pet grow older is undeniably difficult. Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to make your furry friend feel comfortable and content as they navigate aging. Aging is a slow and gradual process for most dogs. By being attentive to your pet’s changing needs and offering proper care early on, you can help them maintain a high quality of life well into their senior years. These are just a few ways to help your senior navigate aging.
Leave Your Pet With a Sitter
When you have to travel, consider leaving your pet with a sitter instead of boarding them in a kennel. Senior pets can have a hard time with kenneling and boarding. Because older pets tend to be set in their routines, spending time in an unfamiliar place like a boarding kennel can create stress and anxiety. At the same time, kennels can expose your older pet to contagious diseases.
By hiring a pet sitting service, you’ll have peace of mind that your pet is being cared for in your own home while you’re away. This will minimize the disruption to your pet’s routine and ensure they feel comfortable with your absence.
Purchase Pet Insurance
As your pet gets older, you’ll be visiting the vet more often for regular checkups, tests, and procedures. Consider purchasing pet insurance to help cover the costs of this additional care. Look for online insurance guides that offer pet insurance reviews, such as this option, to learn about coverage levels, deductibles, and premiums offered by different companies. Keep in mind that some pet insurance companies will only insure pets up to a certain age, so be sure to research this as well. You’ll also want to read customer reviews and get quotes from your top picks.
Keep Your Own Stress in Check
Did you know that your pet can sense your stress levels? According to NBC News, dogs can accurately detect extreme emotions by smell. Our pets also pick up on contextual cues that indicate we’re feeling stressed. As a result, your pet might experience heightened levels of anxiety when you feel stressed. Look for ways to keep your stress levels under control so your pet can relax. For example, if you’re stressed from working long hours at the office, see if you can work from home once in a while so you can relax and spend more time with your senior pet. A great first step in reducing anxiety in our dogs and cats is to first check in with ourselves and be mindful of our interactions with our pets. They can sense your state of mind better than you might think.
Visit the Vet Twice Annually
Most veterinarians recommend that senior pets visit the vet twice a year. This is because your pet’s health can change rapidly once they reach their senior years, and annual visits might be too far apart to catch and treat potential problems effectively. WagWalking.com explains that your vet will perform various geriatric screening tests, including bloodwork, urinalysis, parasite testing, and heartworm testing. These tests will help your vet spot common health conditions like arthritis, cancer, and kidney disease.
Try CBD Oil
Many pet owners are turning to CBD oil as an all-natural way to manage age-related issues in their pets. CBD oil has been known to help reduce arthritis and joint pain, improve cognitive function, and restore appetite in senior animals. With regular use, it can also improve a pet’s overall quality of life by increasing energy and mobility levels. Additionally, CBD oil can be useful for helping older pets deal with anxiety because of its natural calming properties. Make sure to look for CBD oil for dogs or cats. Human formulas can be too concentrated and might contain other ingredients not suitable for pets. All Paws Essentials is a great choice. They also have CBD dog treats which are soft and suitable for older pets.
Purchase Age-Appropriate Shampoos
As pets age, their grooming needs change. The youthful sheen of a puppy or kitten’s fur often fades as they get older, and to help keep them looking their best, special shampoos may be necessary. A pet’s coat and skin becomes more delicate with age so it is important to use formulas that are specially designed for senior animals. These formulations can provide much needed hydration, soothing relief from itchiness, and even help protect the pet from insects. Before purchasing shampoo or any other pet products, consult veterinarian reviews to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product.
Introduce Supplements
Senior dogs have slightly different nutritional needs compared with their younger counterparts. Feeding your pet the right food and supplements can help minimize the effects of aging. For example, older dogs can benefit from joint supplements, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and MCT oils. Talk to your vet about adding some of these supplements to your pet’s diet so you can help them age in good health and comfort.
If you’re starting to notice that your older pet is slowing down, start thinking about senior pet care. Invest in pet insurance, start visiting the vet more often, and consider purchasing Pet CBD oil and a few supplements to add to your pet’s diet. Your senior pet is bound to age gracefully with all this care and attention!
