How to Help Your Senior Pet Thrive

How to Help Your Senior Pet Thrive

Watching a companion animal grow older can be bittersweet.  It’s difficult seeing the toll age takes, with issues such as lost mobility and waning hearing, yet our beloved pets are as loving and endearing as ever.  Thankfully, there are several ways we can help them thrive throughout their senior years. 

Supplements can be a key

Ensuring good quality of life can be challenging when your senior pet is facing chronic health concerns.  Aching joints, lost mobility, inflammation, and other issues can leave owners feeling helpless at times, but there are joint supplements which can ease lifefor your pet, such as glucosamine-chondroitin, chondroitin sulfate, and Boswellia serrata extract.  You need to ensure you administer proper dosages, and purchase products meant specifically for pets.  Another option is to try CBD oil.  This supplement, which continues to grow in popularity, appears to help not only with joint pain and inflammation but also with certain skin issues.  As a bonus, if your pet has trouble with separation anxiety or fear of storms, it can alleviate your furry friend’s stress.  Remember: Always check with your vet before beginning any new therapies.

Staying active

Keeping an older pet on the go can be a key to optimal healthand prolonging life.  Depending on your pet’s species and breed, there are organized exercisesyou can use to encourage fitness. All dogs slow down as they get older, and a pooch who once enjoyed a five-mile jog is now more comfortable with a few short, ambling walks every day.  By breaking things up, you can keep your dog on the go to promote better joint, heart, and lung health.  Swimming is another ideasince it’s easy on joints, and some breedsinnately love water sports.  Dog breeds who are less than athletic in the first place, on the other hand, will benefit from minimal exertion.  If a brisk, one mile walk was enough for your pup at a young age, a short stroll through the neighborhood is probably sufficient for his senior self.   

Stick with routine exams

Aging pets can develop issues quickly, so ensure you tend to regular checkups with your veterinarian.  The doctor will examine your pet from head to toe, administer vaccinations, and make any recommendations based on your pet’s condition.  Note that anytime you begin a new health regimen with a pet, especially a senior, you should discuss it with your veterinarian. 

Diminishing quality of life

Eventually, in spite of our best efforts, the time comes when quality of life wanes. It’s the most heartbreaking part of pet ownership, but eventually it is inevitable, whether your pet dies naturally or you have to put him down. It can also be especially tough after losing your pet to explain your grief to others. You might find some people don’t appreciate your loss since it wasn’t a human being, but you are entitled to mourn your pet. This is not an overreaction. 

If you are grievingthe loss of a pet and are struggling, Psychology Today notes it’s quite normal. There is no shame in it, and there is help.  When you lose your beloved friend, consider enrolling in an online bereavement program designed to help you understand and manage your grief.  

Senior pets add special fullness to our lives.  Take steps to ensure your beloved companion enjoys the best quality of life. Schedule routine vet visits, keep your eyes open for changes in behavior, maintain fitness, and provide supplements as needed.  You can help your furry family member to thrive throughout life with these simple strategies.

Guest post courtesy of Our Best Doggo.