Learning About Rodent Pets

Pooch Getting Up In Years? 3 Steps To Help Them Age With Grace

by Neil Turner

Aging is a natural part of life – even when it comes to your pets. Even if your pet has lived a long life, it might start experiencing some health problems as it reaches those advancing years. There's nothing you can do to turn back the clock, but there are some things you can do to make your pet more comfortable as it ages. Here are three simple steps that will help your pet age with grace.

Keep Up the Exercise

Like their human counterparts, your pets can develop arthritis as they age. This debilitating disease can make it difficult for your pets to get around and can cause them severe pain. You can help keep arthritis at bay by exercising with your dog. A walk around the block twice a day will help keep your pet active, and will help keep its joints flexible.

Watch the Weight

As your dog ages, it might have a difficult time burning up the calories it's consuming. As a result, your pet may begin to gain weight around its mid-section. Unfortunately, obesity can lead to heart disease and arthritis. To help your pet maintain a healthy weight, try increasing the amount of fiber it eats, and reduce the size of its meals. If reducing the size of its meals leaves your pet hungry during the day, try providing smaller portions several times a day. This will spread out the mealtimes, which will help curb those hunger pangs throughout the day.

Schedule Those Vet Visits

Once your pet enters mid-life, you should schedule vet visits at least once a year. Be sure that your pet begins its mid-life vet care with a comprehensive medical exam. This exam should include a blood pressure check, as well as a check-up for thyroid levels and vision. In addition, it's important that you know when to take your pet in for emergency check-ups. Some emergency situations will include the following:

  • Unusual lumps in the mouth or throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Appetite changes
  • Unexplained loss of weight
  • Excess thirst and urination

If your pet develops any of the symptoms described above, you should schedule a veterinary exam as soon as possible.

If your pet is advancing in years, you'll need to increase the level of care it receives. The tips provided above will help your pet live a long, healthy life. For more information on how to care for your aging pet, be sure to speak to your veterinarian. 

For a veterinarian, contact a facility such as Groves Veterinary Clinic.

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