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Taking Care Of Your Senior Pet

Aug 2, 2024 | Gymdog News, Kildare Vets News

Is your fur baby reaching it’s senior years? Are you a little concerned about the health and wellbeing of your pet now that they are getting older? Most dog breeds are considered senior in age at around 8 or 9 years old. Once your dog reaches this age, it is important to consider new routines and schedules to help your pet live their best life. Here are some elements of senior pet care to take into consideration when your pet starts to get a bit older.

Regular check-ups with the vet

Once your dog reaches a certain age, they may begin experiencing more health issues than usual. It’s important to keep up to date with vaccinations and parasite treatments, as well as attending an annual check up with the vet to keep your pet’s healthcare on track. Our senior pet health plan is a great way of ensuring your dog gets the best routine care catered for their mature years, including free annual blood tests.

Older dogs need more rest

Once your dog starts getting older, they may be slower at walking and are less reluctant to play. It’s important to note that older dogs need more rest, especially if they develop joint problems or arthritis. However, if you feel your dog is suddenly more tired than usual and are walking less or limping, it is best to get it checked by the vet.

Go for walks little and often

Although senior dogs need more rest and nap times, they still need their bit of exercise! We recommend going for short walks little and often every day to allow them to stretch their legs and maintain good fitness levels.

Keep up with dental hygiene

Dental hygiene is so important for senior dogs as they are more prone to dental disease. We cannot stress enough how important it is to keep an eye on your dog’s teeth and clean them regularly so they can live a healthier, more comfortable life.

Monitor eating and drinking habits

Try to keep a solid routine when it comes to feeding your senior dog, consistency is key for healthy pets! Keep an eye on how much they are eating and drinking throughout the day, make sure they are getting hydrated and are being given the appropriate amount of food for their age, breed and size.

Switch to Gym Dog Senior Pet Food

Once your pet reaches older age, we recommend switching to a senior diet. Our Senior Pet Food range is made with salmon, haddock, trout and rice. It also has added Omega 3, Glucosamine and MSM to keep senior pets active and healthy for longer.

At A Pets Life, we believe pets should live their best lives in all stages of life, from puppy to senior. These elements of senior pet care will help guide you in the right direction of taking care of your ol’ furry friend.