Living with a Senior Pet

Living with a Senior Pet

By: Wanda Becker, Certified Veterinary Technician at ZimmVet

Senior years begin in most pets and breeds at 7 years of age. Here are some tips for senior dogs from my person experience managing my senior dog, Lucy.

Lucy and I use to take long walks, with her running down streets, having fun walking and running down groomed paths and long tall grassy areas. Then gradually she started to slow down. I started Lucy on a joint supplement, Dasuquin. The Dasuquin helped, and we were starting to take our usual walks again.

As Lucy aged more, I recognized that she was having more mobility issues. Her back end was showing some muscle atrophy, knees and hips were getting a little weak. We started taking shorter walks and fewer running activities.

As Lucy’s mobility declined, she was started on an oral pet pain medication. With this medication she could go on longer walks and frolic in the tall grass. Arthritis can slow your pet down but you don’t want to stop activity level. Moving is still good for everyone, and keeping the joints mobile.

Other things that helped Lucy were an orthopedic bed. Placed several comfy beds around the house so she wouldn’t have to walk so far to find a place to rest. Lucy loved to curl up in her different beds and watch what going on. I also kept her mind busy, by using a busy feeding ball. To help her move around better without slipping I started placing rugs all over the house and floors. I placed her food dishes up off the floor so it

made it easier for her to eat or swallow food. To help with body temperature I placing a coat on her during her walks when the weather started to get colder. When snowy weather was here, I would place booties on her feet, and at first, she didn’t like them but as time went on, she didn’t want to go outside without her booties.

So, as your pet enters into their senior years and you notice those gray hairs, just keep in mind there will be changes. Keeping up on your pets’ exams and blood work. Giving supplements and pain medications to keep them in less pain and keep moving. Keeping your senior pet comfortable just like you do when an elderly family member enters into their senior years. Enjoy and love every moment with your senior pet. Time goes by fast.