Easy Ways to Keep Your Senior Pets Healthy

Pet ownership can be a taxing but rewarding experience. The average owner spends hundreds, if not thousands of hours taking care of their pet throughout the course of their life. This is to ensure they remain healthy and happy for many years into the future.

However, time eventually catches up with all living creatures. Long-time pet owners may notice that their canine or feline is not moving around as much as they used to. Their eyesight and hearing may have also begun to deteriorate with age.

Owners may feel dismayed at the first signs that their pet is getting old. After all, it is impossible to stop the ageing process. However, you can ensure your senior pet remains healthy for many more years with the help of these tips.

1) Regular Exercise

A significant percentage of dogs and cats develop arthritis in their joints once they are past a certain age. This painful condition can limit their mobility and make their day to day lives uncomfortable. One way to treat the joint stiffness and pain associated with arthritis is regular exercise.

You should take your senior dog or cat for a walk every single day. However, if they are no longer capable of walking for extended periods of time, you should try taking them for multiple short-walks instead. Any amount of movement can help improve their arthritis symptoms, as long as it is performed regularly.

2) Revising Your Pet’s Diet

Animals often experience changes in appetite as they get older. You may notice your dog eating more or eating less once they reach seniorhood. Owners should adjust their pet’s diet to ensure their nutritional needs are still being met.

Older dogs often develop obesity problems at later ages. You can prevent such problems from occurring by revising their diet to a low-calorie one. This new diet should include more vegetables and fewer carbohydrates.

Some dog food manufacturers also sell food designed specifically for senior dogs. These products contain a high percentage of proteins made from high-quality sources. Additionally, you should feed your canine protein that is easy to digest. This includes chicken, turkey, and eggs. Certain types of lean fish may also be good for them.

Senior cats also have similar dietary requirements. You should feed them high-quality proteins along with some easy-to-digest carbohydrates. Their intake of fats should be controlled as well. Certain manufacturers produce cat foods specifically designed for senior felines.

3) Supplements

Some owners struggle to provide their pets with all the vitamins and minerals they require through their diet. These owners can help make up for deficiencies using supplements.

Omega-3 and Omega-6

Senior dogs can be given omega-3 and omega-6 supplements to help maintain healthy skin and coats. These omega supplements are made from essential fatty acids that also help reduce arthritis inflammation.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Prebiotics are a type of dietary fibre that maintains healthy bacteria in your dog’s gut. They may help increase bone density, improve bowel movement regularity, and regulate hormone production.

Probiotics on the other hand are live bacteria that help your canine’s digestive system. They may also help boost your canine’s immune system function and treat conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

You should follow the aforementioned tips to ensure your senior pets live long and happy lives. If you are unable to take them for walks regularly, you can hire a dog walker or a dog sitter from Little Friends Pet Sitting in Charlotte, NC to help out.