Your Pet and Aging

With senior pet month just around the corner, PetAg has dedicated the blogs from the month of August to our senior pet companions, and ways to help them.

As our pets age, their bones and joints naturally follow suit. While we all wish our bodies would follow the youth of our minds, and surely this is no different for our pet companions, unfortunately our minds might be young, but our bodies and our pet’s bodies feel the passing of the years.

There are many things to consider when you begin to notice that your pet is beginning to age. However, the first thing that you might want to know is how to determine whether your pet has begun to enter their senior years.

• Does your pet show gray hair around the muzzle or mouth? This is the first place that a pet will begin to change hair color.
• Is your pet’s coat dull or dry? This could be a sign of ageing, but it can also be a sign of nutritional deficiencies.
• Are your pet’s nails brittle? This is typically a sign of ageing, and should be regularly tended to.
• Are your pet’s teeth turning yellow? As pet’s age, their teeth and gums are susceptible to decay and damage. Proper dental health throughout your pet’s life will help in avoiding these problems.
• Carefully monitor your pet’s weight. As they age, their nutritional needs also change. Is your pet ready for senior nutrition? If so, a product such as PetAg’s DogSure will help to ensure that your pet is receiving the nutrition that they need.
• Look for signs of hearing loss. A dog may snarl or snap if he doesn’t hear you approaching. Another sign is failure to obey commands.
• Does your dog move slowly, or have you noticed a significant decrease in their activity levels? If your pet is older this could be the result of joint pain, arthritis, or just ageing. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.
• Check for changes in urinary habits. Older dogs may tend to urinate more frequently or experience incontinence (the inability to control urination).

Depending on your pet’s age, weight, sex and breed, your vet will be able to help you determine the best diet and exercise regime, and when also help you determine whether any issues that you may notice with your pet require further treatment or medication. While attempting to give your pet holistic or organic remedies may seem appealing, many of the products available on the market are not necessarily suited to all pets or breeds. Always, when in doubt, ask!