Sometimes we can forget that our pets age alongside us and that they age faster; one animal lover shared that senior animals have a few essential care points to take note of.
Johannesburg, South Africa (03 October 2022) – Animal shelters always advocate for adoptions; this ensures that deserving pets get a chance to be loved and cared for in a home environment, surrounded by family. Sadly, many animals will wait years before being adopted, if ever. For senior pets, most will live out their retired years pinning for a family.
More and more, animal welfare organisations are advocating for their senior adoptees, hoping to give them homes where they can spend their golden years.
One of the many benefits of adopting a senior dog is that they already have their manners in place and are generally happy to just chill at your feet all day. Keagen Lisa Mattison, a supporter of the Woodrock Animal Rescue, shared a post about how dogs age and what kind of care they need going into their golden years. What they lack in youthful vigour, they make up for in loyalty and companionship.
We thought the post was worth a share, to help you care for your own ageing pets or what to expect when adopting an older animal.
“Dogs age at varying rates. Normally, knowing if your dog is a senior depends on their size, if they are a larger or smaller breed. But looking for indicators that your dog is getting old is one way to tell. Some signs include loss of vision, going deaf, changes in weight, bad breath and overall slowing down.
Care for senior dogs is different from the one you give to puppies. They may require more consideration and support. Some tips to help you give the best care to your ageing dog:
- Good senior dog food is low in calories, high in fibre, and meets the nutritional needs of an ageing dog’s body. You can still feed them the regular food that they eat, but senior dog food can help avoid obesity, which is a common health problem with ageing dogs.
- Maintaining an active lifestyle with a proper diet can reduce the possibility of illness. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Exercise can become shorter as they grow older since senior dogs have lower energy levels.
- Most veterinarians recommend having an older dog examined every six months and may recommend more frequent visits depending on your dog’s health condition.
- Grooming is necessary for a dog’s entire life, but it becomes even more essential as they age. Regular grooming allows you to check your dog from head to tail for any strange bumps, blisters, or rashes.
- Senior dogs, just like people getting older, can suffer from joint pains. Avoid strain on their muscles and joints by putting gates to block their access to stairs.
It can be hard for a fur parent to see their dog ageing, and it can become difficult to manage them. But giving them the best possible care can help them lead a healthy life for many years. Ageing is inevitable, and if any changes worry you, visit your veterinarian to find out the best thing to do.”
So if you are looking to add to your home, consider a senior pet.