By now, you may know that cats and dogs are considered senior citizens after the age of 7 years. As they reach into these golden years, it’s important to know that their needs will continue to change and develop – often in rapid progression.
We always recommend bi-yearly health checks, to ascertain that your pet is healthy and happy – but it becomes even more important to make the most of these checks as your mature pet ages. If we can establish a baseline of behaviours, and general health, we are in a better position to assess and monitor any changes that may be due to age.
Obvious changes can be monitored at home directly by you, things like:
- Forgetting toilet training
- Hearing loss
- Stiff legs
- Weight loss or gain
- Development of lumps or bumps
Other changes in their physical and oral health may be harder to determine, so we are on hand to help ascertain any problems before they arise.
If we do pick up on age-related issues during a checkup, we may suggest blood and urine tests, and blood pressure management to make sure that your pet’s organs are healthy. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis can be managed if detected early.
A weighty issue:
When it comes to weight, it may be easy to think that a few extra kilos aren’t a big deal – however, overweight pets have increased risk of arthritis, heart disease, respiratory disorders and diabetes. Weight issues with ageing pets can be indicative of a range of issues. As pets age, it’s harder for them to deal with protein excesses or deficiencies in their diet, and it can show itself in rapid gain or loss of weight.
An easy way to tell if your pet is overweight is by taking a closer look at them – if they have lost definition in their waist when you look at them from above, if they look a little like a barrel on legs, or if they have fat deposits on their neck, belly, or hips – it’s time for a diet!
Likewise, if you notice that your pet is losing weight rapidly, or there is a change in their excitement over food – booking a checkup with us is essential.
This month – we are looking after our superstar seniors with a range of awesome discounts in the clinic:
20% off Wellness Checks for pets aged 7 plus!
Free Weight Management consultations!
Discounts on Food for Weight Management!
15% Off Zydax Treatments for Arthritis!
Book with us today and secure a spot with your super senior pet!