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How to Care for Your Aging Pet

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How to Care for Your Aging Pet

We've gone through the aging process with two of our dogs and a cat and we are now at the stage again where we are starting to go through it with our dog Luna. Senior pets can bring so much joy to your life, just as much if not more when they were younger. They tend to be calmer, wiser and so much more as seniors and are such an integral part of our family. If we take care of them as we all should their senior years can be great for them and us.

Here is our dog Zeus who went to the Rainbow Ridge several years ago, he is missed but he was well loved while he was with us and brought us endless joy. Not to mention that we always felt safe with this big boy at over 100lbs when he was around 🙂

aging pet

I think sometimes that pet owners often overlook the fact that their beloved pets do not stay young forever. Therefore, it is important that pet owners take the time to make sure that their quality of life does not change just because they have gotten older. As a pet owner, myself, I have two dogs and a cat; I can see subtle changes in their overall health.

Keeping them active and playful is important to me. I also schedule regularl vet checkups to ensure that they are as healthy as they can be for their age and breed. Good nutrition is important at any stage of a pet’s life. So make sure that you are giving your pet, pet food that is made especially for their age group. Spending a little more money on dog or cat food products that are recommended by a veterinarian will help to ensure that the nutritional needs of my pets are being met.

Here's Zeus again and Juno (on the right) with my hubby all in their younger years 🙂

zeus-paul-juno

Another thing that is just as important is to make sure that your pet gets enough exercise no matter their age. Mind you, an older dog or cat certainly cannot run or play as vigorously as a pup or kitten, but keeping them somewhat active will help them feel happy and help to prevent muscle atrophy. I know that when my husband, myself, or my daughter take the dogs for a walk, it is for a shorter time span and my dogs are just as happy.

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We also take our pets to get their teeth looked after. As strange as this may seem to some people, regular dental checkups for your dog or cat is vital to their health. Not only do we take them to have their teeth checked, we also brush their teeth regularly. Brushing their teeth at regular intervals helps to remove tartar buildup. If this is left unchecked, tartar buildup can lead to bacterial growth which can enter the bloodstream and cause illness or death.

If you happen to have a pet, make sure to schedule an appointment with a veteran at regular intervals.

Do you have any tips you'd like to share?

By on August 6th, 2014

About Powered by Mom

I’m Michelle aka Powered by Mom. I’m married with one daughter, my hubby was my high school sweetheart, our two dogs Nyx and Cleo and our cat Oliver. As you can see we’re a family of animal lovers. We love to travel when we can, try different food and activities all over the world and enjoy being together. My passions are writing, travelling, creating new recipes, encouraging people to adopt not shop and just to enjoy life while we can.

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50 thoughts on “How to Care for Your Aging Pet”

  1. These are such great suggestions. It gets a little harder sometimes when the pet gets up there in age. They still need all the love and care you can give. Thank you so much for sharing

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  2. It is so hard to watch them as they get old and have a hard time moving. No longer enjoying the things they once did. I went through it once and don't think I could again.

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  3. We have a cat who is 14 years old now and I have noticed that he has dropped some weight recently, although he is healthy otherwise. He is still quite active for his age and eats well, but your tips are good to know. Thank you.

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  4. Thank you for these tips. Our Mulligan is almost 15 years old and I know he will not live forever. We got him 6 months after we got married. He is slowing down. Just thinking about it is making me cry.

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  5. My dog is about 11 years old and I am si afraid to lose her. My last dogs passing almost killed me. Thank you for the good advise.

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  6. You certainly do take excellent care of you Precious Pets. God Bless~ So many pets are so neglected, I just can't stand it! My oldest Daughter works with a rescue group and she is always transporting rescued Doggys to foster home new homes etc. She herself has about 7 Dogs. She adopted most of them and is fostering a couple..We ourselves have 2 adopted sweethearts. 6 yr old pug Toby and 2 yr old yorkie Caesar! We love them like our children, We also keep them well vetted. They too are very Healthy. They love to play and we play with them. Last year our Precious black Pug Max went to Rainbows Bridge! We miss him Dearly. He was 12 yrs old and had a stroke! RIP Max~ Last month Our Red Lored Parrot Kernel died on us suddenly. WE had him for 37 yrs. He was a good Boy. We Miss him Dearly too! RIP Kernel~ Keep up the good work with your Fur Babies~ God Bless~

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  7. I have an aging dog also and I agree that exercise is one of the most important things for an older pet. After a walk I give my dog a massage to help the painful joints. Your dogs are gorgeous.

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  8. I've also lost a loving dog. It was like losing a family member and was so hard. After a time, we chose another fur baby for our family. She's a loving little dog and I still miss my first. Time has a way of helping to heal, but my heart still has a place just for my first little one. I enjoyed your blog.

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  9. Thank you for the tips we have 2 dogs but have lost dogs to just getting old we piste her so much had her for almost 17 years so it was very hard , we live in the country so the 2 we have can run and play in a big yard they are just like kids

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  10. Thanks for these tips. My two furbabies are starting to slow down. I engage them in exercise by playing with them a few times everyday and throwing tarter control treats around so they have to run for them...so much fun!

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  11. I tell our Ms Hootiecat often, that since she gets different food than the younger cats, she should feel very special, and that if the price keeps going up, she's going to have to consider getting a job.
    I think we do tend to forget that our furbabies are growing older, and we need to be aware of the changes that we need to adapt to for them.

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  12. I never heard about the plaque on the dogs teeth causing bacteria.he eats a lot of bones and dental chew.thanks for the info

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  13. Thanks for the tips. We have a handicapped older dog. He does well but anything that will help him I appreciate.

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  14. Great article. Our puppy started having elbow problems when he was two, and has had serious sensitive stomach and skin issues from then on. We see the vet so much we joke how we are personally buying the vet a yacht. Still our puppy is worth all the extra attention and money.

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  15. Dental checkups for pets are so very important. Our former neighbors dumped their cat, Carly, outside when she became very sick and would no longer eat, so we took her in and rushed her to the vet. After much care, the vet told us she had advanced stomatitis and would need to have all her teeth removed and surgery. He also said he understood if we wished to have her put down, since it would be an expensive undertaking and she technically wasn't our cat. I was having none of that -- she became our cat the moment we decided to take her in. She had treatment and went on to live with us for another 12 years before she went to the Rainbow Bridge peacefully and surrounded by love at the age of 18. Still, the pain she experienced previously could have been dramatically cut if her previous parents had taken her for yearly checkups and/or dental cleanings because the stomatitis would have been caught much sooner.

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  16. I'm a huge animal lover! Your dogs were so beautiful and hope you have Luna with you for a long time yet! Love this article, it's a great reminder!

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  17. We always had dogs and cats when I was growing up. I had a chihuahua terrier mix and I loved that little dog with all my heart. When she had a tumor we had to put her down,I was so devastated. I know it's a part of life but it's so hard to lose an animal. I like all your tips. My daughter has 3 dogs and 1 cat that I love so much. Animals help people so much with all the love they give. I live in an apt so I can't have pets which sucks.

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  18. I don't have a pet right now, but can empathize with those that do. Pets are part of the family and deserve the utmost care. It's important to take preventative measures with health, just as we do as humans, so our pets can live healthy long lives. I'll keep the dental tips in mind, especially.

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  19. Although our pets get old they still love to play. As you said it may not be as long as when they were puppies but none the less just as important. They can go through depression just like we can. Your blog was very informative. Thanks.

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  20. We went through this with our rescue Corgi, Harley. He never wanted his teeth brushed so we gave him treats and toys that are meant for cleaning teeth. We had his teeth cleaned and checked every year. He had 3 molars that were cracked that had to be removed (not all at the same time). So be careful what you give them. Please don't give your dogs rawhide chews. We almost lost our Harley when he got one stuck in his throat.

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  21. Sometimes you need to know when to put them down. There's a lady that walks her dog. It's so old and has trouble moving.She tugs at the leash and pushes it, physically. It's heart breaking to watch.

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  22. Great tips on how to take care of our pets! I lost my dog a few years ago when he was 15 years old.My brother had the sister to him and she pasted away last year when she was 17 years old.

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  23. Great advice having blood work on pets is so important to catch changes in organ function. Problems can arrive with age so a vet can help you through them.

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  24. I love my dog so much that I enjoyed this article. Let me say I am glad to hear of responsible animal owners. I take my dog out and brush her teeth. I also have vet recommended dog food I buy from him. We have even e-mailed about my dog, (Molly) she is my Soul Mate!! I love her so much and make sure she is comfortable and she is going on 9 years old. I make sure she is not over worked in playing. Fresh cold water and 2 small feedings as she is highly energetic.
    I also want to tell you that your dogs are Beautiful and your husband is very cute:)

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  25. Thanks for the article. We're taking care of our chow/lab mix we rescued in 2000...he's still going strong at at least 15, so we're thrilled!

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  26. I had six animals all over the age of 12. I just lost a dog and cat to cancer about 4 months apart. Our lab retriever has almost died about 3 times and is barely doing much. He is like taking care of a senile elderly person. He has been blind for years from a hereditary gene. He can't hear now. It is so sad to see them get older. I guess my advice is enjoy every moment and remember that we are all getting older and how would you want to be treated? They are part of our family.

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  27. I'm sure our war heroes will be greatly appreciative of having our pets visit, after all, two dogs, one cat, four chickens, and three quail put on quite a show

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  28. Great tips. Thank you for writing this I hope it helps others who may have not realized what it takes to care for a senior dog. maybe less senior dogs will be dumped at the shelters.

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  29. I think about this all the time.... my cats are getting older, and the ridiculous little white dog is entering middle age. It's such a hard bargain you make when you love an animal, but it's absolutely worth it. Thanks.

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  30. Great post! My dog is getting older and I want her to have the best life possible and enjoy her golden years. I agree, teeth care is very important!.

    Reply

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