{"id":2466,"date":"2015-12-30T08:53:24","date_gmt":"2015-12-30T16:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/petcarefacts.com\/?p=2466"},"modified":"2015-12-30T08:53:24","modified_gmt":"2015-12-30T16:53:24","slug":"lifestyle-tips-for-adopting-senior-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petrofile.com\/blog\/tips-and-how-tos\/lifestyle-tips-for-adopting-senior-pets","title":{"rendered":"Lifestyle Tips For Adopting Senior Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If you have decided to add an older cat to your home, or adopt a senior dog as your first animal, there are some important factors to bear in mind along the way.\u00a0 Caring for the physical, emotional and mental well-being of a pet has many facets, but though there is always a learning curve and adjustments that must be made, the rewards for your investment will be well worth the effort.\u00a0 Here are some tips for how to welcome a senior pet into your home.<\/p>\n

Lifestyle Tips For Senior Pets<\/h2>\n

Grooming and maintenance:<\/strong>\u00a0 Cats are avid groomers, carefully licking and preening their coats on a daily basis,\u00a0 but this reality does not let you off the hook. Combing your cat, trimming his claws, brushing his teeth, and giving him an occasional bath are all a part of your new job description. However, if the older pet has trouble being handled, you might defer some of the more hands-on tasks (such as bathing, anal gland expression, and nail-trimming) to the professional groomers. But oral hygiene and coat maintenance are not to be neglected, unless you want to increase the likelihood of health ailments and diseases manifesting in your pet. The same goes for senior dogs.\u00a0 Canine grooming<\/a>\u00a0 might seem like a luxury, but there are many elements which heavily affect an animal\u2019s overall well-being. If you are taking responsibility for an animal, that means all areas of his life; even if they seem superficial, that is not always the case.<\/p>\n

Diet and Exercise:<\/strong> Because potential medical issues will be one of the foremost concerns in caring for your pet, balancing diet and exercise are key in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.\u00a0 Choosing high-quality food might first feel like an unnecessary expense, but poor nutrition can cause allergies, skin irritation, dehydration, organ failure, digestive issues, and weakened immune systems.\u00a0 Prioritizing well-rounded nutrition<\/a> is the best long-term medication you can provide your senior pet.\u00a0 Likewise, exercise is equally important.\u00a0 As they age, many cats and dogs tend to slow down, feeling disinclined to exert themselves. While they may not be expected to train for a marathon with you, it is still advisable to take your older dog for a 30-45 minute walk each day, and have a play session for the same amount of time with an elderly cat.\u00a0 Movement helps increase healthy blood flow, and will keep their muscles and spines intact.<\/p>\n

Have regular check-ups:<\/strong> As your pet ages, make sure you see your vet on a regular basis so he can monitor the animal\u2019s health. That way if anything is out of the ordinary or changes suddenly, you will be more likely to catch the problem before becomes critical. Watch your dog or cat closely, and if there are changes to sleeping patterns, behaviors, appetite, or any strange symptoms or smells around your cat,\u00a0 alert your veterinarian as soon as possible in case a disease is developing.<\/p>\n

Other tips for living with senior pets:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n