As the years go by, your four-legged friend is going to need you more and more, and you may have to adapt his living environment and the pace of his day. You may have noticed that he doesn’t always get around the house: his eyesight may decline, he may have difficulty climbing stairs or furniture, he may also hear less and this can cause him anxiety. Also, you realise that he is spending more time sleeping and that walks are becoming shorter and shorter. Here are some ways to improve his daily life, and yours.
Age-related stiffness and muscle wasting can make your dog or cat less agile and interfere with his or her routine. If he is allowed to, you can help him get on the sofa by adding a step to act as an intermediary. This can be a box or small staircase steps designed for this purpose. These are usually easily transportable, so you can use them to help him climb into the boot of the car when you are travelling. In general, it is best to keep stairs to a minimum. The best way to do this is to have everything he needs on the same floor.
Although it may be tempting and well-intentioned, do not restrict your pet’s living area. It is important to maintain different areas (bedding, feeding, litter box) because, even though your pet’s sense of smell may decline with age, it should not be disturbed by unwanted odours when it eats. In addition, it will give him a bit of exercise! As far as his sleeping area is concerned, it’s important to ensure that your dog or cat has a comfortable cushion, especially if he spends a good part of his day there! Remember to change it regularly. If your four-legged friend’s condition requires it, you should know that there are so-called orthopaedic cushions, which help to limit the appearance of bedsores.
Despite the difficulties in moving around, it is still important to keep physically active. Moderate but regular exercise will help your pet maintain its weight, muscle mass and flexibility. If moving around has become really difficult, you can also help him with physiotherapy: think of swimming. Physical activity in the water limits the stress on the joints, while re-muscularising and working the cardio-respiratory system.
As your four-legged friend ages, his eyesight may decline. To help him, try to limit changes in his environment, and try to create (if your home allows it) “corridors” that are free of clutter to make it easier for him to move between different living areas. Some conditions that cause reduced vision, such as cataracts for example, can now be treated very well surgically (if they are not accompanied by another condition). Do not hesitate to discuss this with your vet.
To date, there is no treatment that can restore hearing, and it is relatively complicated to test it in our pets (in as fine a way as in humans). However, the fact that your dog or cat’s hearing has deteriorated is most likely to cause stress. If your pet has behavioural problems, you can help with supplements. Ask your vet for advice.
A final point not to be overlooked is mental stimulation. Play and brain activities are excellent for this, as well as increasing the bond between you and physically exercising your four-legged friend. There are also supplements that work on cognition in older pets.
AAHA Life Stage Recommendations for Dogs : This document, intended for veterinarians, is based on the American Animal Hospital Association’s guidelines, which divide the dog’s life span into five stages (puppy, young adult, mature adult, senior and end of life). It provides an easy-to-understand basis for a progressive care strategy throughout the life span.
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