| 1. Know when your pet is a "senior" | | | | metabolism contributes to pet weight problems. |
| Different sources vary on this, but according to | | | | 5. Schedule veterinarian visits at least twice a |
| the American Veterinarian Medical Association, by | | | | year |
| age two, most pets have already reached | | | | Remember, pets age faster than humans, so a |
| adulthood. By age five, they are considered middle | | | | visit to the vet once a year is like visiting your |
| age, and at the age of seven, they've started | | | | doctor or dentist once every seven years. Make |
| their senior years. Dogs, especially the larger | | | | sure that your pet's vaccinations are updated on |
| breeds, begin the aging process a lot sooner, and | | | | a regular schedule since seniors' immune systems |
| should be treated as a senior after reaching | | | | are not as competent as when they were |
| three-four years of age. Remember, all pets age | | | | younger. |
| differently, so there is no set age that your pet is | | | | 6. Vitamins and minerals should suit aging bodies |
| a senior. | | | | and metabolisms |
| Veterinarians suggest that supplements and | | | | Adjusting these elements to fit the needs of |
| vitamins can be served at any age, and provide | | | | senior animals can improve their overall health. For |
| an easily digestible, highly palatable diet addition to | | | | instance, as animals age there is a decreased |
| the regular diet. Giant dog breeds that are seniors | | | | need for calcium and phosphorus. If reduced, |
| will benefit from receiving supplements/vitamins at | | | | there is less stress to eliminate from the body. |
| three years of age, while smaller senior dogs will | | | | Additionally, an increased need for vitamins results |
| benefit if supplements/vitamins are added at age | | | | in improved health, body function and immunity. |
| five. Supplements/Vitamins can benefit senior cats | | | | Like humans, the benefits of an increased supply |
| at seven years of age. | | | | of antioxidants helps to decrease free radicals |
| 2. Make quick checks a daily routine | | | | present that can have an effect on a number of |
| Check your pet's teeth for loose or missing teeth, | | | | body systems. |
| bad breath and inflamed gums. Brush your pet's | | | | 7. Adjust levels of exercise |
| coat regularly to stimulate the skin and remove | | | | While obesity can be treated with a combination |
| loose hair. Check for lumps that might have | | | | of exercise and diet, older pets may have |
| formed since the last brushing. Pay attention to | | | | ailments, such as painful arthritis, that are |
| your pet's movements. If he or she is getting up | | | | aggravated by extensive exercise. Be watchful |
| slower, or limping, notify your vet. | | | | and alert to these conditions. Products with |
| 3. Seniors need high quality, easily digestible food | | | | glucosamine and chondroitin have been shown to |
| and plenty of fresh water | | | | help ease a pet's discomfort. One product |
| Nutrition is of utmost importance! Older pets may | | | | available is Grand Meadows' grand mobility with |
| experience a loss of appetite, and they need the | | | | glucosamine. |
| correct balance of protein and nutrition in order to | | | | 8. Older cats are more sensitive to noise |
| help maintain their best possible health and weight. | | | | As cats age, they may become more sensitive |
| Diets can treat disease or metabolic conditions, | | | | to noise and fearful of loud noises, especially if |
| but they can include prescription diets that may | | | | they're arthritic. Try to provide older cats a quiet |
| not be highly palatable. | | | | place to hide or rest comfortably. They also may |
| Some supplements/vitamins products are | | | | need a larger bed to sleep in because they cannot |
| pleasant-tasting enhancers that will not greatly | | | | curl up into a tight ball any longer. |
| affect the diet to which they are being added. For | | | | 9. Give your pet a massage |
| animals that refuse to eat or cannot eat solid | | | | Older pets like and benefit from a soft, full body |
| foods, the Sure products, by PetAg provide a | | | | massage. This may help the pet relax while you |
| complete balanced diet that has been carefully | | | | have another chance to check for lumps. |
| formulated to provide high quality protein, resulting | | | | 10. Give your pet a warm place to sleep |
| in the animal maintaining more body mass and | | | | As animals age they become more sensitive to |
| healthy immune and enzyme systems. | | | | cold. Provide them with a soft comfortable bed in |
| 4. Watch your pet's waistline! | | | | a warm, draft-free area away from foot traffic. |
| Reportedly, 25 percent of pets in the U.S. are | | | | Both cats and dogs will appreciate being able to |
| overweight. Obesity leads to many | | | | be warm and comfortable. Warm outerwear |
| health-threatening conditions that can lead to | | | | further protects dogs that must go outdoors |
| shorter life spans. Adverse affects common in | | | | during cold weather months. |
| older, overweight pets include an increased risk of | | | | We hope that you have found this guide to be of |
| developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, | | | | help to you and your "best friend"! |
| and decreased immune competence. Metabolism in | | | | THANK YOU.... |
| dogs drops by up to 30 percent, and that drop in | | | | |