Tag Archives: senior pets

Is Age Important When Buying Pet Food?

A recent survey conducted by polling company Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Iams found that most people consider ingredients the most important factor in what type of food they buy for their pets. The pet’s personal preference was frequently the second most popular factor, followed by price and then recommendations from friends or veterinarians. What’s got many pet websites and news agencies in a tizzy is the least most considered factor when people purchase pet food: age. Not the age of the food, but the age of the pet. Only one in ten people said that the age of … Continue reading →

Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Day: August 12

Petfinder.com has declared August 12th “Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Day”. For all the overlooked pets in shelters, this day’s for you! What constitutes a “less-adoptable” pet? Petfinder asked their member shelters which pets were the hardest to place. 30% of responders had the hardest time finding homes for senior pets 15% of shelters had a difficult time adopting out pets with health issues 13% of Petfinder shelters had problems with breed prejudices (and many shelters mentioned pit bulls specifically as being hard to adopt because of breed prejudice) 10% of responders had difficulty placing pets who need to be the … Continue reading →

The Old Brown Dog Ain’t as Brown as He Used to Be

I was over at a friend’s house yesterday. Hadn’t been over in a few weeks, and was surprised at how grey her dog’s muzzle had gotten. I commented on it, and she agreed that the change had come quickly. While I was outside with my own dogs, I noticed how much Moose’s coloring has changed over the last few years. His chin was the first to start going grey; the color has advanced down his muzzle. But that’s not the only change. His snout used to be nearly all black — now it’s a mix of brown and black. His … Continue reading →

Skin and Coat Care for Senior Pets

Did you know that the skin is the heaviest organ in your pet’s body? It can account for an average sixteen percent of your pet’s total weight! What does the skin do? Prevents water loss Allows us to perceive touch Allows swelling after injuries Protects against impact and friction injuries Protects against damaging UV rays Helps regulate body temperature Acts as the first line of defense against germs, bacteria, parasites, and other disease-causing organisms. Skin and coat care is important for pets of all ages — but especially for the senior pet. Taking care of your aging pet’s skin and … Continue reading →

When a Dog Goes Blind

My next door neighbor’s dog, Simba, has had a rough road lately. First he was diagnosed with diabetes and Cushing’s syndrome, then shortly after that (not even a week later) he went blind. How They Knew Simba Was Blind When I was little, our family dog Mike went blind. I don’t remember exactly when it happened or how we knew. I’m fairly sure my dad was the first to notice it. I got to thinking about that because I asked my neighbors how they figured out Simba was blind. It’s not like he can just shout all of a sudden, … Continue reading →

Seven Ways to Help an Aging Pet

Life with a senior pet can be challenging… especially if your pet has physical or mental health issues! Here are some ways you can make life better for your aging dog or cat. Stick to the routine. Animals like routine, and need it now more than ever. Make sure feeding times and play times are always the same every day. Breaking routine can make your pet feel anxious and insecure. Talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s diet. It may be time to add disease-fighting antioxidants to your dog or cat’s dish. Check your pet’s blood pressure. Hypertension is a … Continue reading →

Aggression in Older Cats

Your sweet, friendly, loving cat may change personality as she moves into her senior years. As cats age, they can become aggressive toward people or other animals in the household. What causes aggression in older cats? Often, the problem has a medical basis. An older cat with arthritis may object to being touched when her joints are especially achy. A cat with vision or hearing loss may be easily startled by a human or pet’s approach. Stress is another major cause of aggression in older cats. Moving or remodeling can be stressful for a cat of any age, but especially … Continue reading →

Help Your Senior Pet Live Longer

Pets don’t live forever. They don’t even live as long as humans do! If you want your pets to live a long, healthy, happy life, there are a lot of things you can do! Regular exercise will help your senior pet stay in the best shape possible. Exercise helps the heart and lungs stay healthy. It also helps prevent obesity, which can be a strain on your pet’s body. Even moderate exercise (like a couple of strolls around the neighborhood) is enough for your older pup. Exercise also helps prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior. Dogs especially love … Continue reading →

Ten Reasons to Choose a Senior Pet

Thinking about adopting a pet? You may overlook an older dog or cat in favor of a young, energetic pet. However, there are many benefits to adopting a four-legged senior! Think about why the pet lost their home. Too many older dogs and cats lose their happy homes because of the death of an owner, a relationship ending, or a change in owner lifestyle. Just because a pet is at a shelter doesn’t make him a behavior problem or a bad pet. My dog Moose was surrendered by his owner because he was “too stubborn”. To me, that says the … Continue reading →