November is full of fall colors and Thanksgiving treats, but it’s also Senior Pet Month! As our furry friends get older, their health and wellness needs change, just like ours. You may find that your pet can’t do all the same things they used to, and your home may need some modifications to support their ability level. There’s plenty to consider, but we’re here to share our expert tips for caring for your senior cat or dog.
What Is a Senior Pet?
Do you have a senior pet? The answer might surprise you. While we tend to think of senior pets as very old, graying animals, the truth is that a pet can be considered a senior fairly early. For example, cats can live to be up to 18 years old, and in some cases even older than that, but they are considered seniors at approximately 8 to 10 years old. That means your cat could be considered a senior for half of their adult life! For dogs, weight, and size are factors: Dogs that are over 50 pounds are considered seniors at age 6 and up, while dogs that weigh less than that are considered seniors at age 8 and up.
Senior Pet Needs
Senior pets have different needs than younger animals. For example, your dog may have had no trouble walking across the house to get to their water bowl in the past, but now they are dealing with arthritis and can’t walk as far. An easy fix? Change the position of your dog’s water and food bowls to be closer to their favorite resting spots. The same can go for cat bowls and litter boxes. Speaking of cats, they love to climb and lay in high places, but as they get older, they may have trouble getting there. Provide ramps and other surfaces that are lower to the ground to give your older cat an easy way to explore.
Don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian for more information on how to care for your senior pet.