Every pet ages differently but there are some common changes that occur as their body gets older. During your pet's senior years, you'll probably observe gradual or sudden changes in their health and behavior. A proper diet is very important in the care of an aging pet.

HEALTH ISSUES FOR OLDER PETS

Older pets don’t usually have the “reserve” that younger pets do, and time is critical. Common health issues for older pets include:

Arthritis Pain: Muscle, bone and cartilage decrease with age. With less cartilage, the bones begin to scrape against one another, causing the pain of arthritis. Many medications are available to help ease the pain and discomfort of joint pain.

Bad Breath, Bleeding Gums: Good dental health is important not only for the teeth and mouth, but for overall health. As your pet ages, tartar, gum disease and tooth loss are all potential problems. Oral cancers, infections, metabolic disease (kidney disease, diabetes mellitus) are also potential causes for bad breath and oral health problems.

Sudden Blindness, Hearing Loss, Head Tilt/Staggering: These signs can be seen with a variety of causes: infection, poisoning, age-related, cancer, etc. Some pets can develop cataracts in just a few days, with sudden-onset diabetes.

Change in Urine and Thirst: Pets should not drink more water simply because they are aging or the change of season. The most common causes of increased water intake are diabetes and kidney problems. Urine leakage or having “accidents” also signal problems; either with infection, loss of sphincter control, or other underlying disease.

Cognitive Dysfunction: Pets, like people, can experience age-related dementia. Treatments are available that may help some pets such as Denosyl, Zentonil, Omega 3 and 6.

Hair loss, Itchy skin: This can occur at any age, and should not be ignored. Pets can do a lot of damage to their skin by licking, scratching and biting so the sooner the pet is treated, the better.

Skin Changes: The skin often thickens and darkens with age.

Infections: As the body ages, the immune system weakens, making it harder for the pets to ward off infections.

MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DEATH IN AGED DOGS AND CATS
	DOGS		CATS
	Cardiac Failure		Renal Failure
	Cancer		Cancer
	Renal Failure		Infectious Disease

ADVICE FOR OWNERS OF ELDERLY DOGS

Maintain a calm atmosphere in the home and regular routine for the pet.

Don’t startle, tease or handle the pet roughly.

Always bring the pet indoors on very hot or very cold days.

Be aware of the senior pet’s changing nutritional needs. A new diet might be necessary.

Continue to provide exercise and activities. Moderate exercise is best, with several short walks during the day rather than one long one. Also continue to stimulate your pet’s mental agility with gentle games.

Older pets are more sensitive to heat, so avoid exercising them during the hottest part of the day.

Provide a number of warm, soft and quiet resting places for your pet to spend a significant proportion of its time.

Groom your pet regularly using soft brushes and combs. Try to avoid areas where the bones are prominent.

Consider a new animal addition to the family carefully plan before going ahead. If an old pet appears distressed or lonely following the death of a companion, allow a reasonable period to elapse before considering a replacement. This may be anxiety as a result of change in routine rather than genuine loneliness.

For the very elderly pets, whose world appears to reduce in size the older they get, provide a bed, food, water and litter facilities in reasonable proximity to each other so that they are all easily accessible.

PRODUCTS:

Joint Max	Vita-Soothe Aloe & Oatmeal Shampoo
Breath & Dental-Care	Dr. Kruger's Everyday Health Formula
ProNeurozone	Pet Toys
Vetri-Science Bladder Strength	Brush

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