Accommodating Your Elderly Pets

When pets get older, there are some accommodations you may want
to make for them. A pet’s behavior may change as it ages. The
first recommendation would be a visit to the veterinarian. Many
symptoms interpreted in elderly contributed to age may actually
be medical conditions.

If your pet seems less active, confused, disoriented, and
disinterest in household activity, it could signal cognitive
dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is a treatable geriatric
disease.

Weight gain is a common problem with older pets. Exercise is
still important for older pet health. It helps them stay toned
and will help stimulate internal function. They may need shorter
exercise periods at a slower pace. Try walking your pet during
less extreme temperatures of the day.

Grooming is another area that becomes more difficult for older
pets. As their joints get stiff, it may be harder for your pet
to groom hard-to-reach areas. Their skin can also become dry or
matted so it is important to brush your pet thoroughly.

As your pet ages, it may be harder for them to get around the
places that they are familiar with. Some ideas to help your pet
navigate are the following: If your pet likes to sleep on your
bed, and is still continent, perhaps a small stair would assist
them to reach the top of the bed. If they have trouble
navigating the stairs due to hip problems, perhaps a ramp with
cleat strips to give their paws grip may help. Also, check the
outdoor run area of your pet. Holes, steep grades and gravel may
make their outdoor travels difficult. Observe your pet climbing
wooden deck stairs, sometimes those can be slippery for older
pets. Simple sandpaper treads can be applied for grip.

Overall, think about your aging pet and their needs. Some
simple changes could make their life more comfortable.