Senior Pet Health Month
What do senior pets need to stay happy and healthy for as long as possible?
No matter how well cared for, senior pets are vulnerable to aging-related issues, including certain diseases. This means that senior pets require more attention than younger pets, including more frequent visits to the veterinarian as well as possible changes in their diet and home environment.
• Increased veterinary care: Senior pets need to see a veterinarian twice a year or more so signs of illness or other problems can be found and treated early, before they become bigger problems. Senior pet exams are similar to those for younger pets but more in-depth. These exams may include dental care, possible bloodwork, and specific checks for signs of aging-related diseases.
• Diet and nutrition: Senior pets often need foods that are more easily digested, provide different energy levels and ingredients, and contain anti-aging nutrients.
• Weight control: Weight gain in senior dogs increases the risk of health problems, whereas weight loss is a bigger concern for senior cats.
• Parasite control: Senior pets' immune systems aren’t as strong as those of younger pets. As a result, senior pets may not be able to fight off parasites or heal as fast.
• Vaccination: A weaker immune system means senior pets also might have different vaccination needs than younger pets.
• Maintaining mobility: Pets can become less active with age. Keeping senior pets active through appropriate exercise helps them stay healthier and more mobile.
• Mental health: Senior pets can show signs of senility or cognitive dysfunction. Stimulating them through interactions can help keep them mentally active.
• Environment: Senior pets may need changes in their lifestyle, such as new sleeping areas to avoid stairs, more time indoors, etc.
• Reproductive diseases: Non-neutered/non-spayed senior pets are at higher risk of breast, testicular, and prostate cancers.
Your veterinarian can help you with all of these consi
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Microchipped Pets are THREE TIMES More Likely to Get Home
Will a microchip really make it more likely for me to get my pet back if it is lost?
A: Definitely! In fact, a study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters in 23 states showed that microchipped animals are far more likely to be returned to their owners. In that study, microchipped stray dogs were returned to their owners at more than double the overall rate for all stray dogs. For stray cats, the difference in return rates was even more dramatic.
For microchipped animals that weren't returned to their owners, the most common reason was an incorrect or disconnected owner telephone number in the microchip registry database. So don't forget to register your pet’s microchip and keep your contact information up to date.
Does a microchip replace identification tags and rabies tags?
A: Absolutely not. Microchips are great for permanent identification that is tamper-proof, but nothing replaces a collar with up-to-date identification tags. If a pet is wearing a collar with tags when it's lost, it's often a very quick process to read the tag and contact the owner—if the information on the tag is accurate. But if a pet is not wearing a collar and tags, or if the collar is lost or removed, then the presence of a microchip might be the only way the pet's owner can be found.
Your pet's rabies tag should always be on its collar, so people can quickly see that your pet has been vaccinated for this deadly disease. Rabies tag numbers also allow tracing of animals and identification of a lost animal's owner, but it can be hard to have a rabies number traced after veterinary clinics or county offices are closed for the day. The microchip databases are online or accessed by telephone, and are available 24/7/365.
Q: I just adopted a pet from the animal shelter. Is it microchipped? How can I find out?
A: If the shelter scanned the animal, they should be able to tell you if it is microchipped. Some shelters implant
Ways to Provide Mental Stimulation for Your Dogs
Teach New Tricks
No matter what age, you can teach a dog new tricks. Intelligent dog breeds, like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, crave learning opportunities. So, learning new tricks can be a fun hobby and bonding experience with their owners.
Basic obedience training is a great place to start. Then, you can move forward towards more advanced tricks. Not only does this stimulate the mind, but it can be very rewarding and build confidence for dogs if they can perform these tricks in front of others and receive a lot of praise and affirmation.
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Ways to Provide Mental Stimulation for Your Dogs
2. Use a Treat-Dispensing Toy
A treat-dispensing toy is a great way to help engage your dog’s mind. Rather than just mindlessly eating, an interactive treat-dispensing toy creates excitement as dogs need to use their brains to figure out how to get tasty treats. It engages the mind and nose, and some toys also provide some level of physical exercise.
If you have a particularly energetic dog, a toy that bounces, wobbles, or rolls around can be a great option that helps dogs exert energy in a healthy manner.
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