Complete guide to caring for your senior pet

Throughout each stage of our pets' lives, they will need different care to maintain their well-being, hygiene, and daily exercise.

In this #MartesDeMascotas we will talk about the aging stage of our furry friends, a natural but also complex process that can affect their body's capacities and metabolic processes.

In addition to considering their age, there are several signs to identify if our best friend has already entered the senior stage.

First, it's important to learn the stage of each one according to their age:

• For kittens, the veterinary age classification is:

0 to 6 months is the "kitten" stage
7 months to 2 years is the "young" stage
3 to 6 years is the "adult" stage
7 to 10 years is the "mature" or "senior" stage
11 years and older is the "senior" stage

• For puppies, the veterinary age classification is (it may vary depending on their breed):

0 to 2 months is the "nursing" stage
0 to 12 months is the "puppy" stage
12 to 18 months is the "young" stage
18 months to 7 years is the "adult" stage
7 years and older is the "senior" stage

What are some signs to identify if my furry friend is already in the "senior" or "older adult" stage?

• For dogs: Muscle loss, appearance of gray hairs and cataracts, decreased hearing ability, disorientation, increased sleep hours, loss of appetite, dental problems.
• For cats: Decreased sense of smell, taste, and hearing. Dental problems such as gum disease or tooth loss. Weight loss. Less flexible joints. Dull coat and skin. Unusual behavior.

How to care for a furry friend that is in the "senior" stage?

From 7 to 10 years onwards, when they are already in this stage, it is advisable to change their environment, especially their diet and daily exercise. This will ensure their well-being is the best for their advanced age.

As we've seen, in cats, their joints wear out and they suffer from arthritis. Their paws hurt a lot when getting up and down from their favorite places. What can we do? Something they will appreciate is if you place ramps or stairs so they can go up or down without problems from their scratching post, bed, sofa or other place where they usually are. In addition, as their fur becomes weaker, they probably won't have the same body temperature. Help them by placing blankets so they can rest better and not feel cold.
Also, consider that their litter box should not be too high so that it doesn't complicate their entry.
As for their food, it is better to buy them special food so as not to affect their teeth and so they get all the necessary nutrients.
On the website you will find the perfect food they need, as well as vitamins and suitable snacks so they can continue to enjoy just as they did when they were a kitten.

https://www.befoods.cl/search?q=senior

In dogs, some of the main signs are cataracts, graying hair, and disorientation. When we start to see these, it's time to pay even more attention to their diet, exercise, and hygiene.

Elevate their food and water bowls to minimize effort and allow them to eat without problems. Consider that the kibble should be appropriate for their age; it can even be made into a paste to make it easier to ingest and ensure they don't lose nutrients or proteins.
Make sure they continue to exercise daily, moderately, not exceeding 30 minutes, and that the weather is ideal for their health.

Another important point is to take care of their hygiene and cleanliness. They won't be able to clean themselves in the same way, and we also shouldn't bathe them regularly to avoid chilling and colds. Keep them clean with dry shampoo or foam.
And for their teeth, there are appropriate snacks to prevent oral diseases:

https://www.befoods.cl/search?q=dentastix

https://www.befoods.cl/search?q=cama

The importance of taking them to the vet regularly is to detect any possible illness they may develop due to their age. Our furry friends greatly appreciate all the affection and effort we make for them, even if some don't like going to the doctor, it's for their well-being and quality of life.
Do you have a furry friend in this stage? What other care or tips can you recommend to the Belover community? We're reading...