In every stage of life, from the playful puppy years to the slower senior ones, there are different aspects of pet health care to consider to ensure your pet is healthy and happy. In this article we share some advice from Dr Cooper on caring for a senior pet. What changes as they get older and what do you need to be aware of?

Dietary requirements for a senior pet

The right diet can make a massive difference to your pet’s overall health and wellbeing but it needs to be formulated especially for their life stage.

For example, a puppy needs calories and protein to help them grow as their bones and joints are developing; an adult dog needs less calories (they’re no longer growing), but a balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals to support an active lifestyle, and a senior dog, who is far less active, needs fewer calories, the right protein, minerals and vitamins to support their joints.

• Fewer calories | As your pet is less active, they need less calories. You want to be careful that your senior pet doesn’t become overweight, as any decline in body condition tends to lead to sore joints and health problems.
• The right protein | A good quality, balanced protein with all the right amino acids is important to prevent muscle atrophy. This doesn’t mean high levels of protein (it’s key to not overload the kidneys with protein as low-grade kidney disease becomes more common with age). Animal protein is often more easily absorbed by senior dogs, so a lower level of good quality protein is what your dog needs as he/she ages.
• Joint support | A top quality diet formulated for senior pets will include the vitamins and minerals required to support your pet’s joints as they age. A vet may also recommend an omega supplement (natural anti-inflammatory) for a senior dog suffering from joint pain. For an in-depth look at joint care, click here.

For cats and dogs, their diet should transition to one specially formulated for seniors at around seven years old. For senior dogs, consider brands like Eukanuba and Lokuno and for cats there is the mature range from IAM’s. You can also read our comprehensive guide to pet nutrition.

Exercise needed for an aging pet

The years of a life well lived will take its toll on an aging pet’s joints (they’ve simply had a lot more wear and tear… especially large breed dogs). A degree of arthritis is therefore quite common, so most senior pets need joint support and this comes from both diet and appropriate exercise.

As they are less active, senior pets are more susceptible to gaining weight or losing muscle strength and so exercise is critical to maintaining good body condition. Just as with humans, if muscle strength is lost, it is very difficult to get it back and it often leads to stiffness and joint pain.

That said, you can’t expect an older dog to exercise at high intensity as they did in their younger days, and you will need to adjust your expectations and routine for this.

• Exercise daily | Consistent exercise is far better than every few days or a big blow-out on the weekend. Taking an older dog for a long walk or hike on the weekend only can lead to joint inflammation. You need to keep those muscles and joints moving on a regular basis.
• Lower intensity exercise | Walking up a gentle incline is great for older dogs as it engages key muscle groups. If your dog loves swimming, this is also excellent to keep the joints moving and lubricated. Steer clear of steep inclines and heavy sand.
  

Toys that can help a senior pet 

Instead of hard rubber balls for long games of fetch, it’s worth considering toys that might be softer on the gums, or that will stimulate their minds. Puzzle toys can help prevent the onset of dementia and keep them entertained, especially as and when they are less active.

• Treat-stuffing toys | For the less active pet, these can keep them entertained for hours. Take a look.
• Dental toys | These toys can help maintain good dental health.
• Feather toys | No matter their age, cats will all still love to play with a feather or wand toy.

Regular vet check-ups

As a pet ages, they are more predisposed to chronic diseases (like kidney diseases) and so it is important to book regular vet check-ups (every six months for healthy dogs). This will mean that your vet can pick up and treat any problems before they get serious. Remember that cats and dogs have a much more stoic nature than humans, so it may take a while for you to realise they are in pain.

Get in touch with us

A huge thank you to Dr Cooper for sharing her expertise with us and helping us put this article together.  And remember, we are also here to help, so visit your local Absolute Pets store or get in touch with us online, or on Facebook.