You have decided to adopt him, to love him and to provide him with the best care until the end of his life. But did you know that on average, animals are considered geriatric from the age of 7 years old?
To help you better care for your aging animal, we recommend the following:
- Providing food adapted to senior cats and dogs.
- Ensuring your animal remains active to prevent obesity.
- Setting up a cozy spot for him, to help him with morning stiffness.
- Paying special attention to his gait and his playing time, which can diminish over the years.
- Making an appointment with your veterinarian for a health check-up and blood work if you notice any changes in his coat, appetite, water intake, urination, breathing, etc.
- Maintaining good oral health.
Food for older animals includes specific amounts of nutrients. It is important to provide an adequate diet so that the animal can maintain muscle mass and joint mobility, and keep sufficient energy levels while staying at a healthy weight.
Remember that mature dogs and cats become less tolerant of heat and cold. In addition, their vision, sense of smell and hearing can be impaired with age. Certain changes in the household may seem trivial to you, but for them, it can cause enormous stress.
If you are concerned about your pet's general health, if you think your pet has osteoarthritis, or if he seems disoriented, don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian.