Thursday 15 July 2010

Accomodating Elderly Pet

The first recommendation would be a visit to the veterinarian. Plenty of signs interpreted in elderly contributed to age may well be medical conditions.

If your pet seems less active, confused, disoriented, and disinterest in household activity, it could signal cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is a treatable geriatric disease.

Weight gain is a common issue with older pets. Exercise is still important for older pet health. It helps them stay toned and will help stimulate internal function. They may need shorter exercise periods at a slower pace. Try walking your pet in the work of less extreme temperatures of the day.

Grooming is another area that becomes more difficult for older pets. As their joints get stiff, it may be harder for your pet to groom hard-to-reach areas. Their skin can also become dry or matted so it is important to brush your pet thoroughly.

As your pet ages, it may be harder for them to get around the places that they are familiar with. Some ideas to help your pet navigate are the following: If your pet likes to sleep on your bed, and is still continent, perhaps a small stair would assist them to reach the top of the bed. In the event that they have trouble navigating the stairs due to hip issues, perhaps a ramp with cleat strips to give their paws grip may help. Also, check the outdoor run area of your pet. Holes, steep grades and gravel may make their outdoor travels difficult. Observe your pet climbing wooden deck stairs, sometimes those can be slippery for older pets. Simple sandpaper treads can be applied for grip.

Overall, think about your aging pet and their needs. Some simple changes could make their life more comfortable.

No comments:

Post a Comment