I'm So Fancy in My New Duds!

Here are a few additional tips for senior pets that occurred to me yesterday while I was at work:

1) Dogs (and cats too if you'd like) can wear clothing! A lot of pet owners (especially those that own larger dogs) would never even consider this, but there is a very good reason (besides the cuteness of it all) for your pets to wear clothing! Unless your pet has a very thick coat (such as huskies, malamutes, saint bernards, chow chows, and golden retrievers, to name a few) or a lot of extra body mass, (no, I am not talking about fat! I'll get to that in a minute) chances are your pets will feel the effects from the cold more, especially if they are not breeds that are meant to be able to withstand colder weather (think greyhound). So in order to add that extra bit of warmth for your seniors while they are outdoors, a coat and maybe some boots would help give that added layer. There is a lot to choose from out there, and this time of year is perfect for finding dog coats and sweaters (and they come in all sizes!)

2) Nail trimming - pure and simple. I thought about this yesterday as I was trimming the nails of a 100 pound senior Rottweiler who looked like he hadn't had them trimmed since he was a puppy. The nails were long talons that had curled and bent sideways. Luckily I was able to get them trimmed a lot shorter. But I have also seen nails so long that they had begun growing into to the paw pads, causing an infection, and nails that were so long that the quick (the blood vessel in the toenail that if cut, hurts and bleeds) had also grown equally as long, which then prevents us from being able to cut the nails short. The concept of nail trimming goes along with providing traction for your senior pets - if their nails are that long, chances are it is affecting their ability to walk correctly. So this stems back to puppy and kitten hood - Begin getting your pets used to having their nails trimmed when they are young so that they will tolerate having it done regularly.

3) Keeping your pets at a healthy weight is THE most important thing that you can do for them, especially for our seniors who have arthritis. If your pets (just like with people) are carrying extra weight, it puts a lot more stress on their joints, not to mention increasing their chances for diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney disease, and heart disease (again, just like with people). So instead of giving Rover that tasty bacon off of your plate every morning, offer him some carrots, apples, green beans, or bananas. Just about any fruit and veggie that WE can eat, your pets can eat. There are a few exceptions to this - NEVER feed grapes, raisins, or onions. These can cause kidney disease and anemia. Also try cutting back on the amount of food you are feeding, or try switching to a lower calorie diet to help take the weight off (again, just like with people). By keeping your pets thin their entire lives (and getting used to feeding them healthier at a young age) you are helping to lengthen their lives more than you can imagine. Not only do they look good and have more energy, but they are healthier overall. (again, just like with people - see a pattern here?)

Let's all follow these simple tips to help ensure happy and healthy senior pets!

Dampness Causes Everything

If you read the comments from yesterday, you will notice mention of dampness being a cause for everything...... My mother will argue this point in full: "Oh, well you're just.... (fill in the blank)... because it's a little damp outside today." Love ya, mom!

While dampness does not REALLY cause everything, it CAN aggravate arthritis in senior pets (both dogs and cats.) Sudden changes in weather can cause owners to notice their pets favoring a limb or limping. Usually this is noticed more in colder climates in the winter time, but can be associated with dampness (usually when it's cold and damp) in the air. The best things that owners can do for their senior pets with arthritis (or pets that have trouble getting around) when the weather changes is to keep them warm and stable on their feet. Take a look at these simple tips:

1) Always provide a warm place for your pets to go to during the day (should they need it) when you are gone, and a warm sleeping area at night.
2) Make sure that you have plenty of traction provided in your home to allow your pets to get around more easily. I suggest placing throw rugs (with rubber backing!) on wood, tile, or linoleum floors.
3) Also keep in mind that it gets slippery outdoors too (if you live in a climate where the ground can freeze). Make sure to provide extra traction with outdoor rugs or by salting walkways to melt ice (but make sure to use salt that is safe for pets to walk on).
4) Keep senior pets away from obstacles that they can trip over (remember, some of our seniors have decreased vision) such as toys and stairs. It may be best to create a "safe" zone that can be gated off during the day when pets cannot be supervised.
5) For our senior cats, provide ways for them to get around the house more easily. A good suggestion would be to add pet staircases up to the sofa or scratching post so that they do not have to jump up or down as much, but can still enjoy their favorite activities. This is a good suggestion also for dogs who still like to be up on the sofa or bed.

If your senior pet slips (either indoors or outdoors) many injuries can occur (fractured bones, sprained, strained, or torn ligaments or muscles, and slipped vertebrae or discs, to name a few) since our seniors (especially those with arthritis) are much more stiff and often times have less muscle mass to cushion falls. Please be aware of the needs of our seniors, as we move into fall and are headed quickly for winter! Make the holidays safe for both you AND your senior pets!

September is Senior Pet Wellness Month!!!

Did you know that September is Senior Pet Wellness month? You may not realize it, but pets become seniors at just 7 years old! That means it is time to begin routine blood screening to detect any possible early signs of disease. You should check with your local vet for information about recommendations for senior wellness care, which should include a comprehensive exam and senior blood testing every 6 to 12 months. It's never too late to get your pet started on a senior wellness plan. Contact your local vet today!!!

Remember.... Senior at Seven!