Caring for Your Elderly Pet March 13, 2015

Whether you’ve had your pet from a young age or adopted an older animal, your pet has become an integral part of your life and family.

In order to offer the best care for your elderly pet, follow these simple guidelines from Paws, Whiskers & Wags in Atlanta.

Make Your Home More Comfortable

As pets grow older, their physical needs change. To support your pet through the aging process, you can make some simple changes to your home and their environment:

• Create a comfortable, cushioned sleeping area that is gentle on their joints.
• Make sure that you’re home at frequent intervals to check on your senior pet, take them out, and attend to any needs.
• Keep your pet’s food, toys, and bedding on the same floor so that he or she doesn’t have to worry about tackling the stairs.
• Surround them with their favorite toys to keep them mentally and physically active.

Schedule Your Senior Pet for Regular Veterinarian Visits

Senior pets also have a different set of medical needs. Regular visits with your veterinarian can help provide them with the best care during this stage of life, as well as helping to screen for any early-stage illnesses.

Follow Guidelines for a Healthy Senior Pet Diet

Just like humans, your pet’s nutritional needs change with every stage of life. Your senior dog’s food formula shouldn’t be the same as a growing puppy’s. Consult your veterinarian about the proper diet for your elderly pet and make the appropriate changes to their food.

Monitor for Signs of Unusual Behavior

If you’ve had your dog since he was a puppy, you’re just as familiar with his personality as you would be with that of your own child. As your pet grows older, be vigilant for changes in behavior, such as:

• Excessive panting or gasping, especially when not active
• Reclusiveness, or a desire to be alone and away from the family
• Reluctance to move
• Change in appetite or food pickiness

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed above, it is important to take your pet to the vet for a full examination.

Research End-of-Life Arrangements

While it may be a while before you have to say goodbye to your beloved pet, it is a good idea to research and know what you want to do for your pet when that time comes. Planning ahead will save you and your family from the added stress of making difficult decisions when a pet passes.

Contact Paws, Whiskers & Wags for Your Elderly Pet’s End-of-Life Care

At Paws, Whiskers & Wags, we know that the last decision that you make for your pet is just as important as the first. When the time comes to make end-of-life arrangements for your pet, our caring and compassionate staff are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We offer on-site private cremation at our state-of-the-art facility as well as monthly grief support groups.

For more information about our services, pricing or end-of-life planning, contact our helpful staff at 1-866-497-PAWS or online through our website.