At eight years old, our furry friends officially earn the title of senior citizens! Just like humans, they’re more prone to those age-related ailments like arthritis, cancers, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and thyroid troubles.
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Regular Health Checks:
Once your four-legged buddy joins the senior club, it’s time for twice-a-year vet visits! A yearly blood and urine test helps us catch potential issues even before they start to show symptoms.
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Preventive Healthcare:
Keep going with the annual vaccinations and parasite fighters! Fleas, worms, mites, and ticks don’t discriminate, but they can cause bigger problems for older pets. If your pet is already a tooth-brushing champ, keep it up daily! If not, there’s no time like the present to start the habit!
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Exercise and Nutrition:
Extra weight can put a strain on those joints and organs, and getting your pets moving can be a bit trickier as they age. Serve up some age-appropriate grub! Senior pet foods are loaded with all the nutritional goodies like glucosamine and omega-3s, but with reduced calories. If your pet has a chronic issue, a tailored menu might be in order (e.g pets with diabetes, kidney disease or mobility issues). With arthritis affecting about 60% of senior pets, it’s all about gentle play! Try changing that long walk for a few shorter strolls and let’s skip the stairs when we can!
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Signs to Watch For:
Keep an eye out for any of these red flags of aging illness, and don’t hesitate to call the Kibbles team. Early intervention is key for your pet’s health! Watch for changes in appetite or thirst, weird behaviours, difficulty getting up, stair struggles, exercise reluctance, new lumps, stinky breath, weight gain or loss, increased barking, confusion, toilet pattern changes, and sleeping more than usual.
The Kibbles team is always ready to help with your worries. Check out our health plan, Kibbles Club; it might be beneficial in unforeseen circumstances.
