Senior Pet Wellness

The Importance of Senior Pet Care

Just as people require more medical care as they age, so do animals. The likes of vision loss, arthritis, cancer, and certain diseases are all more common as animals enter the golden years of their lives. As they age, it's imperative that you take your senior pets to a reputable veterinarian both for preventative care and to treat any conditions they have developed. KKM Veterinary Clinic is proud to be the vet of choice in the Middletown and Franklin, Ohio, areas. In this post, we'll cover the importance of senior pet care and tips to help keep your animals happy and healthy in their later years of life.

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Signs and Symptoms to Watch for

Most vets consider medium-sized and large dogs to be seniors when they reach seven years of age, largely because the lifespan of bigger dogs is less than that of smaller dogs. Cats, on the other hand, are often considered to be elderly when they reach 11 years old. This is around the time your pets will begin to slow down, which is normal. However, there are other signs you should be on the lookout for that may require attention. These signs include:

  • Agitation
  • Unusual eating habits
  • Digestive or urination issues
  • Lethargy

If you notice any of this with your pets, we'd suggest taking them to the vet right away to address the underlying issues.

Senior Pet Care Tips

In addition to ensuring you're bringing your senior pets to the vet as often as suggested, we also recommend following these tips to ensure your elderly animals stay healthy:

  • Keep them active: Just because your elderly pets might be slowing down doesn't mean that they still shouldn't receive exercise. Continue to play with them, take dogs for walks, and do what you need to do to keep them active.
  • Change their diet: Because older pets are less active, they don't require as many calories as younger ones. Talk to a vet to see if a dietary change is necessary.
  • Practice your patience: As your pets ages, they may have trouble going up and downstairs and may take longer to respond to commands. This is normal, so be sure to be understanding and patient with them. While it may be disappointing your dogs or cats may not hop into bed with you at night or cuddle on the couch with you, there are still great ways to spend quality time with them.

Contact Us Today

For more information on the importance of senior pet wellness, contact KKM Veterinary Clinic today. As the premiere veterinarian in the Franklin area, we're committed to your pets’ long, healthy lives. Our number is (513) 423-2331.

KKM Veterinary Clinic