How to Care for an Aging Pet: What Are Your New Obligations?

Pets are living longer than ever before because of advancements in the field of veterinary medicine and the appropriate senior pet care. However, as pets grow older, they become more susceptible to a wider range of health problems. Aging pets have unique medical requirements, much like their human counterparts. 

A senior pet’s health plan should be developed in close collaboration between the owner and veterinarian. So let’s discuss the many veterinarian care options for an aging pet.

What Veterinary Services Does a Senior Pet Need?

There are certain needs for senior pets that don’t apply to younger dogs and cats. As your pet gets older, you’ll need to change the way you care for it to keep your pet in good shape as it ages.

Here are some of the most frequent procedures your veterinarian and their veterinary geriatrics services will provide to senior pets:

Senior Health Examinations

One of the most vital acts pet owners can do to keep their pets healthy is to take them in for regular veterinary examinations. These checkups are crucial for dogs and cats as they reach their senior years. In order to discover issues like organ failure and osteoarthritis early on, regular pet checkup is an essential part of senior care. Additionally, healthy senior dogs and cats should undergo a full physical exam and laboratory tests every six months.

Laboratory Testing

To assess your pet’s health, veterinarians rely on laboratory findings. Pet laboratory work is useful for establishing normal baseline levels when your pet is healthy. If your pet becomes sick, the veterinarian will be able to tell whether or not the current test readings are abnormal by comparing them to the baseline levels. 

Changes in these laboratory readings, even in a seemingly healthy animal, may indicate the presence of an underlying disease. In middle age, dogs and cats should undergo laboratory testing at least once a year. Tests at the lab should be performed on older pets at least once every six months.

Parasite Prevention and Vaccination

As your dog or cat gets older, it will inevitably spend less time exploring the outdoors. This will reduce their exposure to harmful parasites and infectious diseases. But that doesn’t mean you can relax just yet; an aging body’s immune system in pets indicates it will have a much harder time fighting off infections and recovering from illnesses. So make sure to keep up with your vet’s recommendations for parasite prevention and vaccinations, especially for ticks, fleas, and heartworms.

Nutritional Diet

Many senior pets can benefit from eating food created specifically for their needs. Reduced physical activity and excessive feeding can lead to obesity, which increases the likelihood of health issues like heart disease in older pets. If your senior pet needs a special type of food, you can talk to your vet for assistance. 

Conclusion

Caring for an aging pet comes with new obligations and requires pet owners to adjust their approach to pet care. Senior pets have unique medical requirements that need to be addressed to maintain their health and well-being. With proper veterinarian care, regular checkups, laboratory testing, parasite prevention, vaccination, and a nutritious diet, pet owners can help their aging pets live a healthy and happy life.