Pet Senior Care

Changes in the cat’s body that are common as a cat ages include:

Altered sleep-wake cycle
Changes in thyroid function
Decrease in kidney function
Changes in vision
Decreased sense of smell
Brittle/ingrown nails
Heart or circulatory problems
Decreased digestion and ability to absorb nutrients
Reduced ability to handle stress
Changes in behavior
Changes in mobility/arthritis

Your Role As The Caretaker Of An Elderly Cat

The most important role when caring for your elderly cat is being aware of their behavior and habits. Their needs may change subtly over the years but they still require the basics of cat care including social interaction and an enriched environment. While older cats may sleep more, they still need interaction and a stimulating environment to keep their bodies active and their minds engaged. Cats of all ages need a stimulating environment to keep healthy. Especially for indoor cats, the need for engagement is very important. All cats need to hunt and play and interact.

In addition to a stimulating environment, owners of elderly cats can expect to be responsible for things like:

Make sure sleeping and eating areas are easily accessible
Adjust physically challenging areas for easy access
More frequent veterinary visits
Dispensing medication
Lifestyle accommodations
Understanding your expanded role in the life of your elderly cat is essential to helping them age gracefully. At your next appointment, one of our veterinarians would be happy to give you some insight and guidance on how to ensure your cat enjoys a smooth transition into its elderly years.

Wellness Visits For Senior Cats

The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that senior cats be seen by a veterinarian every six months. Because cats age faster than people, that means almost two (kitty) years will pass between visits. It is important to monitor elderly cats in between visits, because cats are very good at hiding symptoms of disease or illness. As cats age, illnesses become increasingly common. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that mature cats, senior cats, and geriatric cats will likely begin to develop one or more conditions that will significantly affect their quality of life.

A typical wellness visit for senior cats includes checking:

Thorough review of habits and behaviors
Weight and Body Condition
Skin and Coat Quality
Mouth, Gums and Teeth
Ears and Eyes
Thyroid Gland
Heart and Circulatory System
Lungs and Nose
Abdomen
Joints and Muscles
Any condition changes since the last visit
Additionally, wellness visits for senior cats can also include vaccinations, parasite prevention, and treatment for any specific conditions that your senior cat may be developing.

Senior Cat Food

Feline nutrition is extremely important throughout the entirety of a cat’s life. However, it is an especially important facet of senior cat care. Feeding a mature, senior or geriatric cat an age specific diet can help:

Manage Weight
Increase Lifespan
Reduce or eliminate pain
Maintain healthy skin, coat and bodily functions
Senior cat food is formulated specifically for the nutritional requirements of aging cats. It can be served in dry or wet (usually canned) form. Because aging cats require increased daily water intake, serving canned food and/or leaving multiple water dishes around the house is always a good idea when possible. Feeding small, frequent meals 3-4 times a day will help senior cats digest food easier than serving fewer, larger meals.

Dental Care In Senior Cats

As cats enter their senior years, those who have addressed dental care with regular dental checkups throughout their life, have a significant advantage over cats who have ignored their dental issues. Regardless of whether dental care has been a mainstay of your cat’s preventative program, it will be extremely important as it ages. Dental disease is a gradual but painful degenerative condition. Living with chronic pain is very stressful and will significantly impact your cat’s well being. Of course your cat won’t let you know that they are in pain, however the fact is that all cats over 4 years of age have some level of oral health issues, and these conditions do cause significant pain. If your cat has not had a dental checkup in over a year, they are definitely due. Schedule an appointment today.

Managing Disease In Elderly Cats

As your cat ages, he or she becomes more susceptible to the myriad of diseases commonly found to plague elderly cats. Some of the more common ones include:

Kidney Disease
Diabetes
Thyroid Disease
Hypertension
Gastrointestinal Issues
Arthritis
Cancer
Memory/Comprehension Challenges
Managing disease, whether this means preventing or treating one or more at a time, requires a knowledge of the ailment, and also spotting symptoms in elderly cats before they become full-blown emergencies. This is why it is essential to monitor your cat’s behavior and routine, and note any changes, including:

Weight Loss
Increase in thirst and urination
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Appetite
Litter Box Habits
Lethargy
If you witness or suspect any changes in behavior or routine for your mature, senior or geriatric cat, we recommend making a veterinary appointment immediately.

Considering Quality Of Life For Senior And Geriatric Cats

Partnering with your veterinarian is the best way to enjoy your cat’s senior years and allow your cat to age gracefully and comfortably. During your regular visits, quality of life issues will be addressed. Along the way, you will make health decisions for your cat with the help and guidance of your veterinarian. At some point, you may be confronted with serious health issues and may need to address the need for diagnostic testing and possibly procedures for your geriatric cat.

Some important health assessment questions you and your vet will review include:

Is your cat experiencing any pain and if so is the pain well managed?
Is your cat’s appetite normal and it is able to eat normally?
Is your cat interacting with other pets and family members as usual?
Does your cat have more good days than bad days?
Does your cat follow predictable routines for sleeping, resting, grooming, eating, playing and socializing?
If you are having trouble discerning the answers to any of these questions, our veterinarians are here to help.

End Of Life Decisions For Your Cat

Partnering with your veterinarian through your cat’s senior years will make the final decisions more gradual and gentle. End of life decisions are always difficult but when you feel supported by our veterinary team, you will feel more comfortable and accepting of your choices.

At Village Veterinary Clinic, our compassionate and supportive veterinary team is here to help you in any way that is in the best interests of you and of your feline companion. We understand this is a very difficult time regardless of the situation. You have lived with your cat for a long time, you have a strong bond with your cat and the grief process is real and should be taken seriously. Please contact us for information about end of life services including grief support.

At Village Veterinary Clinic We Are Here For Your Aging Cat

We are here to help our furry feline patients age gracefully, peacefully and comfortably by offering comprehensive senior cat care services. Aging cats rely on the love and care of owners and a good veterinary support staff as they grow into their later years. We have helped better the lives of thousands of aging cats, while bringing peace and happiness to their human caretakers. Schedule a veterinary appointment for your senior cat today!

The most important role when caring for your elderly cat is being aware of their behavior and habits. Their needs may change subtly over the years but they still require the basics of cat care including social interaction and an enriched environment. While older cats may sleep more, they still need interaction and a stimulating environment to keep their bodies active and their minds engaged. Cats of all ages need a stimulating environment to keep healthy. Especially for indoor cats, the need for engagement is very important. All cats need to hunt and play and interact.

In addition to a stimulating environment, owners of elderly cats can expect to be responsible for things like:

Make sure sleeping and eating areas are easily accessible
Adjust physically challenging areas for easy access
More frequent veterinary visits
Dispensing medication
Lifestyle accommodations
Understanding your expanded role in the life of your elderly cat is essential to helping them age gracefully. At your next appointment, one of our veterinarians would be happy to give you some insight and guidance on how to ensure your cat enjoys a smooth transition into its elderly years.

Wellness Visits For Senior Cats

The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that senior cats be seen by a veterinarian every six months. Because cats age faster than people, that means almost two (kitty) years will pass between visits. It is important to monitor elderly cats in between visits, because cats are very good at hiding symptoms of disease or illness. As cats age, illnesses become increasingly common. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that mature cats, senior cats, and geriatric cats will likely begin to develop one or more conditions that will significantly affect their quality of life.

A typical wellness visit for senior cats includes checking:

Thorough review of habits and behaviors
Weight and Body Condition
Skin and Coat Quality
Mouth, Gums and Teeth
Ears and Eyes
Thyroid Gland
Heart and Circulatory System
Lungs and Nose
Abdomen
Joints and Muscles
Any condition changes since the last visit
Additionally, wellness visits for senior cats can also include vaccinations, parasite prevention, and treatment for any specific conditions that your senior cat may be developing.

Feline nutrition is extremely important throughout the entirety of a cat’s life. However, it is an especially important facet of senior cat care. Feeding a mature, senior or geriatric cat an age specific diet can help:

Manage Weight
Increase Lifespan
Reduce or eliminate pain
Maintain healthy skin, coat and bodily functions
Senior cat food is formulated specifically for the nutritional requirements of aging cats. It can be served in dry or wet (usually canned) form. Because aging cats require increased daily water intake, serving canned food and/or leaving multiple water dishes around the house is always a good idea when possible. Feeding small, frequent meals 3-4 times a day will help senior cats digest food easier than serving fewer, larger meals.

As your cat ages, he or she becomes more susceptible to the myriad of diseases commonly found to plague elderly cats. Some of the more common ones include:

Kidney Disease
Diabetes
Thyroid Disease
Hypertension
Gastrointestinal Issues
Arthritis
Cancer
Memory/Comprehension Challenges
Managing disease, whether this means preventing or treating one or more at a time, requires a knowledge of the ailment, and also spotting symptoms in elderly cats before they become full-blown emergencies. This is why it is essential to monitor your cat’s behavior and routine, and note any changes, including:

Weight Loss
Increase in thirst and urination
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Appetite
Litter Box Habits
Lethargy
If you witness or suspect any changes in behavior or routine for your mature, senior or geriatric cat, we recommend making a veterinary appointment immediately.

Considering Quality Of Life For Senior And Geriatric Cats

Partnering with your veterinarian is the best way to enjoy your cat’s senior years and allow your cat to age gracefully and comfortably. During your regular visits, quality of life issues will be addressed. Along the way, you will make health decisions for your cat with the help and guidance of your veterinarian. At some point, you may be confronted with serious health issues and may need to address the need for diagnostic testing and possibly procedures for your geriatric cat.

Some important health assessment questions you and your vet will review include:

Is your cat experiencing any pain and if so is the pain well managed?
Is your cat’s appetite normal and it is able to eat normally?
Is your cat interacting with other pets and family members as usual?
Does your cat have more good days than bad days?
Does your cat follow predictable routines for sleeping, resting, grooming, eating, playing and socializing?
If you are having trouble discerning the answers to any of these questions, our veterinarians are here to help.

Partnering with your veterinarian through your cat’s senior years will make the final decisions more gradual and gentle. End of life decisions are always difficult but when you feel supported by our veterinary team, you will feel more comfortable and accepting of your choices.

At Village Veterinary Clinic, our compassionate and supportive veterinary team is here to help you in any way that is in the best interests of you and of your feline companion. We understand this is a very difficult time regardless of the situation. You have lived with your cat for a long time, you have a strong bond with your cat and the grief process is real and should be taken seriously. Please contact us for information about end of life services including grief support.

At Village Veterinary Clinic We Are Here For Your Aging Cat

We are here to help our furry feline patients age gracefully, peacefully and comfortably by offering comprehensive senior cat care services. Aging cats rely on the love and care of owners and a good veterinary support staff as they grow into their later years. We have helped better the lives of thousands of aging cats, while bringing peace and happiness to their human caretakers. Schedule a veterinary appointment for your senior cat today!

Taking The Physiological Changes Of Aging Dogs Into Consideration

At Village Veterinary Clinic, we love providing senior dogs with the care and support they need to age gracefully and comfortably. We understand that the experience of caring for older dogs can be a tremendously rewarding one that enhances and enriches the lives of dogs themselves, as well as their human caretakers. We truly are dog people at heart. We love to lend insight and guidance into caring for older dogs.

It is important to remember that many physiological changes occur during the aging process your canine companion is experiencing. These include:

Reduced hearing
Changes in eyesight
Arthritis and muscle mass loss
Cognitive dysfunction
Cardiac and kidney disease
And more
Some or all of these symptoms may not become noticeable until your dog is very old. Our veterinarians are skilled at detecting subtle changes in a dog’s body that can easily go unnoticed by its owner. Early detection of these changes can help prevent the progression of disease and minimize the suffering of a senior dog.

Because many of these conditions will develop gradually, it can be difficult for an owner to notice the changes occurring. During the senior wellness exam, our doctors and staff will ask you questions that specifically target medical issues common to senior dogs. Working together with you, we will develop a great plan to ensure optimal health for your dog.

It is important to remember that the aging process is accelerated in dogs. Therefore, we recommend seeing all senior dogs at least twice a year.

Senior dog care visits provide an opportunity to discuss the well-being of your canine companion as he or she ages. This includes:

Behavior
Daily schedule
Sleep patterns
Family interactions
Nutrition
Exercise and changes in movement
In addition, during a full physical examination for aging dogs we can look at:

Weight and Body Condition
Skin and Coat Quality
Mouth, Gums and Teeth
Ears and Eyes
Thyroid Gland
Heart and Circulatory System
Lungs and Nose
Abdomen
Joints and Muscles
Bloodwork
Any condition changes since the last visit
Body Condition Evaluations For Senior Dogs
Body condition evaluations are important parts of a senior dog care program. They can be crucial in determining whether your senior dog is overweight, underweight, or at an ideal body weight. Carrying extra weight is especially difficult for a senior dog and will impact the quality of its life. Any reduction in weight may be a sign of illness. We can also show you how to monitor your dog’s body condition at home which may aid in assessing its condition between visits.

Canine nutrition is extremely important throughout the entirety of a dog’s life. However, making sound senior dog food choices is an especially important facet of senior dog care. Because of decreased physical activity and slowed metabolism, aging dogs may need 20% fewer total calories than middle-aged adult dogs. However, some older dogs may not be able to assimilate proteins as well and may require additions in protein or change in the type of protein. Generally, aging dogs tend to gain weight, and as they do, senior dogs become at risk for possible health complications that did not plague them in adolescence. For example, it may take obese dogs longer for their blood glucose concentrations to return to normal. This disrupted carbohydrate metabolism can lead to diabetes.

This is why it is important to consult your veterinarian about the best senior dog food option for your canine companion. Specially formulated senior dog food is easier to digest, might also address liver, kidney or urinary issues, as well as the general nutritional needs specific to senior dogs.

Dental disease is especially common in senior dogs because it progresses gradually and can easily go unnoticed. Senior dogs simply adapt to living with discomfort. However, adapting to discomfort doesn’t mean that they are not in pain. Just as in humans, dental issues can be very painful for dogs. Unfortunately for your dog, they are not able to express themselves to you in a way that will help you understand.

It is our goal to diagnose and treat all dental disease in senior pets and allow them to live comfortably in their senior years. Some senior pets will have other illnesses that will affect the recommended course of treatment. Therefore, we will work together with you to determine the safest and best outcome for your dog.

Although your senior dog cannot jump as high or run as fast as he or she could in their prime, exercise is still an essential component of any senior dog care regimen. Dogs tend to age better both physically and mentally when daily exercise, such as a short walk is a part of their routine. However, an important rule of thumb is to keep their exercise both regular and moderate. Keep up with daily or every other day walks and limit the duration according to the dog’s level of fitness and fatigue. Just as in humans, exercise can also:

Help maintain a healthy body weight
Slow the progression of old-age arthritis
Stimulate cognitive capacity
Heighten motor skills and coordination faculties
Of course, the physical condition of your senior dog will ultimately determine exercise duration and frequency, and we recommend consulting your veterinarian about the most appropriate and effective exercise routine for your canine companion.

Vaccines For Senior Dogs

In general, senior dogs tolerate vaccinations the same as younger dogs. Nonetheless, we evaluate each dog individually when deciding upon a vaccine protocol. Because vaccination schedules are unique to every dog, we recommend discussing vaccinations with your veterinarian to choose the options that are right for your elderly canine companion.

Controlling Parasites In Senior Dogs

Senior pets are as vulnerable to parasites as younger dogs and in some cases even more so. Unfortunately, they may not be able to groom and care for themselves as well as they once could and therefore may not show clear signs of distress when infected by fleas and ticks. Therefore, it is very important to maintain consistency with flea/tick and intestinal parasite control programs for aging dogs. Your veterinarian can help determine if any changes should be made to an existing senior dog care parasite control program, as well as if a program should be implemented or terminated altogether.