Taking care of pets from their birth up to their old age is a worthwhile-responsibility. Having an additional companion to your family which only shows undying loyalty and love is a treasure you will surely keep in your heart forever. As a pet owner, when your pet reached the old age, you need to show your affection twice than before. The past years of veterinary medicine involve state-of-the-art developments which can help pet owners like you to better protect the lives of your pets. Understand that changes were necessary to maintain their good health.

Healthy aging does not come easy because there are things that you need to work on and understand including the pet’s genetics, diet, and environment. Having a 6 to 10-year-old pet makes it a member of the senior group, while this is the case for cats that are 11-14 years old. South Bellmore Veterinary Group wishes that every pet will live longer, and to help owners achieve this goal, here are some basic yet helpful tips:

Tip #1: Make sure of the pet’s regular checkup. Together with the skills of your chosen vet, you can maintain the healthy condition of your pets by having it checked at least twice a year even though it still looks perfectly fine and healthy. Change is inevitable, so be prepared for the reduced vision and hearing, decrease in activity and increased sleeping on your older pets. Be sensitive and aware of the subtle changes in your pets as well since those can mean some health problems. Early diagnosis is the answer to prevent major diseases from happening. Pets are often good in hiding pain or an illness, so be sure to heighten your awareness and visit your vet in case you notice some changes, whether it is big or small.

Tip #2: Maintain a proper diet. Both humans and animals need a well-balanced diet to remain healthy, thus South Bellmore Veterinary Group advises high-nutrient, easily-digested foods for senior pets because this group of animals have a slower metabolism and requires fewer calories. Get a good list of best pet food brands, ingredients, along with other formulas from your vet to better improve the health condition of your adored animals.

Tip #3: Monitor the weight of your pets. Proper care plus a good amount of nutrition equates to a healthy weight. Overfeeding must be included on your list of things to look out for in taking care of the wellbeing of your pets since it can intensify the dangers of cancer and other major diseases, and even put a huge burden on your pet’s joints and sadly, shorten its lifespan. You, together with your vet, should conduct proper monitoring on your pet’s weight to learn if there are any abnormalities on its body.

Tip #4: Conduct physical activity with your pets. Age doesn’t matter when it comes to exercise, so being old is not an excuse for physical activity, but of course, you need to consider the condition of your pets. Mild activities were often suggested especially for older pets. Bring them for short walks, swimming or just play with them. Healthy weight, healthy heart, slow joint degeneration were some of the major benefits of physical activity to senior pets. But whenever you see your pets looking they had enough and seem tired, stop the activity and let them have a good rest. You don’t want to leave their mental health behind as well, so better give them mental exercise every now and then.

Tip #5: Give attention to their dental hygiene too. Visit your vet to do professional cleaning on your senior pets, and say goodbye to the possibilities of gum disease, infection and other related diseases. It is also recommended to do in-home brushing between cleanings.

Tip #6: Guarantee their safety and comfort. Older pets should be away from dangerous objects and should be protected especially every time you leave them alone at your home, so consider putting up baby gates along with stepstools or pet ramps. Put all their basic needs downstairs especially if your pet has arthritis or have difficulty climbing the stairs. Keep their litter boxes near to them, and make their sleeping place soft with a few blankets or invest in a heated pet bed.

Tip #7: Never forget to show your pets how much you love them and care for them. Give them a good belly rub or a gentle massage often, and groom them yourself to have a good bonding time together. No matter how small or grand your way of showing your affection to them, South Bellmore Veterinary Group would like you to treasure the time spent with them always.