Senior Pet Wellness FAQ
Our pets are part of our family and that means taking care of them through all stages of life. Senior pets require special attention and vet care. It is important to adapt your pet's diet, exercise, and veterinarian care to meet his or her needs in advanced age. To learn more about how to properly care for your senior pet, the team at Forsyth Veterinary Hospital examines some frequently asked questions regarding senior pet wellness.
Do Senior Pets Need Special Food?
Chances are as our pet ages, he or she becomes less active. If a senior pet continues to eat the same diet, with the same amount of calories, through the senior years he or she runs the risk of becoming overweight. Obesity in senior cats and dogs can lead to other serious health problems including diabetes and joint disease. To help keep pets at a healthy weight, try using a food with fewer calories. For dogs, it can be helpful to add vegetables, such as green beans and carrots, to the food. Many vitamins like fish oil and glucosamine can easily be added to normal dog food to help keep joints healthy and pain free.
Do Seniors Need Different Exercise?
Just because our pets are older does not mean they do not require exercise anymore. The type of exercise should be adapted to meet the needs of our pets. Keep walks and play time limited to 15 or 20 minutes at a time. Often, pets with joint pain will enjoy low impact exercise more. Swimming is a great activity that not only helps keep pets active and fit, but reduces stress on the knee and elbow joints.
What about Regular Wellness Exams?
Wellness exams are even more important for pets as they age. Be sure to see your veterinarian at least once yearly to make sure your pet is in the best possible health. Include a regular dental exam as part of the wellness routine. As pets age their teeth can become brittle or damaged. Removing broken or diseased teeth will help to keep your pet healthier for longer. A dental exam is also a great time to remove any plaque or tarter that has built up over time. Your pet's teeth and gums are a prime site for dangerous bacteria to enter the body and cause a slew of health concerns. By keeping up with regular wellness and dental exams you can guarantee a long and healthy life for your pet.
At Forsyth Veterinary Hospital we want to take care of your pet through all stages of life. Our expert veterinarian team is well versed in senior pet care. We provide a range of services including the best emergency veterinarian Winston-Salem has to offer. We are located at 2556 S. Stratford Rd., Winston-Salem, NC, 27103. To schedule an appointment please call our office at 336-765-1225 today.