Tips for At-Home Senior Pet Care

As our furry companions age, their needs change just like ours do. At Lancaster Animal Clinic in Lancaster, OH, we want to ensure your senior pet stays happy and healthy for as long as possible. Here are our tips for caring for your aging pet at home:

Monitor His Diet

One of the most important things you can do for a senior pet is monitor his diet. As your pets become less active, their caloric needs decrease as well. Sticking to the same food amounts can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Senior pets also benefit from easy-to-digest food with higher-quality protein sources.

Help Him Exercise

Gentle exercise remains essential even as pets slow down. Taking shorter, slower walks, or playing light games of fetch keeps joints limber and prevents muscle loss. Swimming and rehab exercises are also good low-impact options too. It may also be useful to look into ramps, steps or more to make moving around easier on aging bodies.

Comfort

Keep fresh water close by and use elevated bowls for easier eating and drinking. It may also be useful to maintain a calm environment to help keep your pet’s stress down.

Recognize Changes

Keep tabs on any changes you notice compared to your pet’s baseline. Contact your vet for unexplained weight loss and take note of coughing or breathing issues as well. Catching problems early may make treatment easier.

Get Vet Care and Senior Pet Care from a Veterinarian Near You at Our Pet Hospital

With attentive at-home care and regular vet checkups, your treasured pet friend can continue to thrive through his golden years. To that end, our team at Lancaster Animal Clinic in Lancaster, OH, is always here to support senior pet health and well-being. Call us at (740) 687-1591 for vet care and senior pet care from a veterinarian near you at our pet hospital.