Pet care for senior dogs and cats

Have you noticed your furry family member starting to sprout a few grey hairs or are they less sprightly than they were? It could be time to reconsider your approach to pet care for your older dog or cat. As our pets age, we need to take extra care to ensure they are as comfortable as possible and to provide them with the best quality of life. Cats and small-to-large dogs are typically considered seniors from eight to nine years of age, and giant-breed dogs from six to seven years old. At this stage of their life, you might need to begin making changes to both your pet care routines and pet supplies to keep your animal best friend happy and in good health. Here’s what to know about senior pet care.

Elderly pet health: consider their food

If your pet is heading into their golden years, it’s a good idea to rethink their diet. Most senior pet diets will have lower kilojoules to account for a slower metabolism and reduce the risk of excessive weight gain and obesity, which can exacerbate age-related illnesses and joint pain. Diets for older dogs and cats also contain slightly different nutrients and extra supplements to help with ageing – for example, ingredients to promote joint health.

Upgrade cat and dog beds for older pets

Revisit your pet’s bedding. Arthritis is a common complaint as animals get older, so supportive and cosy cat or dog beds are a must. “We see more complaints of arthritic signs in wet or cold weather,” says Dr Rebecca Coote, veterinary manager NZ at Best for Pet clinic network. “Soft bedding would help the comfort of arthritic pets.”

Consider activity levels for senior animals

Exercise is another aspect of pet care that may need modification – although remember that physical and mental exercise are still important for senior cats and dogs.“Keeping pets active within their range of capabilities is helpful to encourage healthy body conditioning, preserve muscle mass and provide mental stimulation,” says Dr Coote. “That may require a slower pace, shorter walk or easier terrain.” Older dog-friendly exercise could be keeping up the walks but more of a gentle amble, or lower-impact activities like swimming. Cats might benefit from some tweaks to their usual activities – for example, adding extra steps or shelves to enable them to reach their favourite perches.

Mental exercise is another important component of pet care for senior dogs and cats. ‘Sniffari’ walks are wonderfully stimulating for your dog, while enrichment toys like puzzle feeders, or teaching your pet a new trick can keep a senior pet mentally active without physical exertion.

Ongoing pet care for older cats and dogs

Addressing mobility issues as they appear can help your pet be healthier and more comfortable for longer.  “For quality of life, your pet needs easy access to the things that are important to them; for example, the bed, couch or getting outside to toilet,” says Dr Coote. Some home adjustments might include introducing pet stairs onto furniture, ramps into the car, using a baby gate to block the stairs if your pet is having trouble with them, and elevated food bowls if they have neck or back problems. “Height of litter trays can be a factor for cats – they may need lower lipped edges,” adds Dr Coote. 

For cat parents, it is important to note cats are extremely good at hiding any issues, so any changes are a potential cause for concern. Signs of underlying illness or pain might include your cat or dog not jumping on the couch or bed, or into the car, as easily, quickly or frequently, or changes in behaviour, eating, drinking and toileting.

When it gets to this point, though, there’s no substitute for veterinary advice. See your vet for a health check, tailored care and support.

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