Mentally, your pet might start to experience many of the same problems as elderly humans do. Their reaction time and response to commands may slow. They might show signs of confusion, disorientation, wandering or increased anxiety.
Remember, domestication through human interaction offers a longer lifespan than wild dogs/wolves were naturally intended to experience. So your little guy is going to need to rely on your patience and understanding now more than ever!
If you notice the following changes, bring your pet for a vet check
-
Increased reaction to sounds
-
Increased vocalization
-
Confusion
-
Disorientation
-
Decreased interaction with humans
-
Increased irritability
-
Decreased response to commands
-
Increased aggressive/protective behavior
-
Increased anxiety
-
House soiling
-
Decreased self-hygiene/grooming
-
Repetitive activity
-
Increased wandering
-
Change in sleep cycles
Loss of Bladder Control
As pets get older, they will probably likely experience a gradual loss in bladder control, and begin eliminating indoors. This is not their fault and it is outside of their control. Patient understanding and extra love is very important at this stage!
Close attention to quality nutrition can’t be stressed enough! Unfortunately, mostly due to poor quality nutrition and lack of exercise, an enormous number of domesticated pets are considered overweight or even obese.
Obesity and poor nutrition in older pets can lead to:
-
Exercise intolerance, decreased stamina
-
Difficulty breathing
-
Heat intolerance
-
High blood pressure
-
Diabetes or insulin resistance
-
Liver disease or dysfunction
-
Osteoarthritis
-
Increased surgical/anaesthetic risk
-
Lowered immune system function
-
Increased risk of developing cancer
To Sum it All Up
Regular veterinary examinations can detect problems in older pets before they become advanced or life-threatening!
As your pet ages, his body ages, just like humans. His organ systems will no longer work at their once optimal performance and he will be more susceptible to age related health concerns.
At Cabra Vets, we understand the changes your pet is experiencing as they age and we would like to help.
Not only do we offer Free Nurse Checks, but discounted veterinary checks for dogs and cats over 7 years of age!
References:
