When your senior pet is injured, your instinct might be to panic. However, keeping calm and acting quickly and confidently can mean a more favorable outcome for your greying pal. The minutes between an injury and emergency veterinary care are essential, and what you do with them can be critical. Instead of panicking, take a deep breath and use thes...

Finding an unexpected lump on your senior pet while grooming or petting them can be concerning. Many bumps or lumps found on pets are innocuous fatty masses, but your pet's risk for a more serious issue increases as they get older. The only way to definitively know if your senior pet's lesion is benign or malignant is to have the lump evaluated by ...

Cats are mysterious, enigmatic creatures who can be difficult to read, challenging you to detect issues that need addressing. By learning to identify cues from your senior cat's body language, you can pick up on various ailments caused by old age that may affect your pet. Here are five ways your cat may tell you it's time to schedule an appointment...

As your dog ages, they may begin to pant more frequently and more heavily than before, including when resting. Many reasons can cause a senior dog to pant, and each one requires a veterinary visit to ensure your four-legged friend is not suffering from a serious health issue. Monitor your pet's panting frequency and effort because they may have dev...

As your pet ages, you may wonder whether their vaccinations are still necessary. After all, shouldn't their immunity be strongest after a lifetime of vaccinations? That may sound plausible, but senior pets—and people—have a weakened immune system that leaves them susceptible to all infectious diseases. You'd recommend the flu vaccine for your grand...

There is no better time to show your senior pet how much you love them than on Valentine's Day. While you may typically think of ways to show affection to your partner, don't forget to include your four-legged friend in this heartwarming holiday. Shower your senior pet with love and attention on Valentine's Day in the following ways. 1. Create a me...

The senior years of a pet's life are not always easy. Because of their age, they're more prone to health and mobility difficulties and can have trouble adjusting to new environments. But if you're up for the challenge, there are many benefits to adopting a senior animal! Why adopt a senior pet? Older pets are often calmer than younger animals, maki...

During winter, homeowners often scatter salt and other chemicals along the sidewalk to prevent ice from forming. It's also common for antifreeze to leak from car radiators, leaving residue behind on driveways and sidewalks. These chemicals collect on your dog's paws and are toxic if ingested. The snow itself can also build up in between the pads of...

As the cold weather bears down this winter, your furry pal may not want to venture outdoors. Senior pets are susceptible to temperature changes and cannot regulate their body temperature as well as when they were younger. Follow these four tips to keep your senior pet warm and comfortable in the chilly winter season. 1. Monitor your senior pet for ...

As the spookiest of nights rolls around, your greying pet may find Halloween a little scarier than years past, especially if they are affected by cognitive dysfunction or anxiety. The ringing doorbell, costumed strangers, and loud noises may increase their stress and leave them a quivering mess. Whether your senior pet is a social butterfly or a ne...

When you hear the term "physical therapy," you likely picture someone who has recently had surgery and requires rehabilitation to rebuild their strength. As your pet ages, their body slowly declines and becomes as weak as if they had surgery on a limb or joint. During this age-related decline, they can lose muscle mass and the strength necessary to...

The word "osteoarthritis" is a combination of Greek word parts: "osteo" for bone, "arthr" for joint, and "itis" for inflammation. Osteoarthritis (OA) results from the progressive loss of joint cartilage, the thickening of connective tissue around the joint, and the development of spur-like bony growths that cause pain with movement. OA most commonl...

Alternative treatment options can be particularly beneficial for managing your senior pet's health problems. Holistic and alternative medicines like acupuncture complement traditional Western medicine for pets and can help support pharmaceutical treatments or act in place of medications. Because senior pets often have organ diseases, such as liver ...

When approaching your beloved pet to medicate them remember to remain calm. If you approach your pet with stressed, frustrated energy it will only stress your pet more and put them on the defense. Plan to medicate your pet when you have some time to devote to doing so, be patient, and approach them when they are relaxed. Speak calmly and lovingly t...

Although your senior pet may no longer be as interested in chewing and playing with toys, chew toys are the perfect activity for physical and mental stimulation. In addition to keeping your senior pet entertained, chew toys will keep them more active, help them use their brain more, and care for their dental health. However, not all chew toys are c...

Senior pets typically make many changes, from different behaviors to mobility issues, that may be concerning. If your senior pet is leaving their food bowl partly full or has suddenly developed a ravenous appetite, their appetite change could be caused by various factors. As your senior pet's caregiver, you want to act quickly when a concerning cha...

Feeding your senior pet can be tricky and involves more thought and care than simply filling their bowl twice daily. Many factors need consideration, particularly if your pet has a disease that impacts their appetite or ability to eat normally. Good nutrition is imperative for keeping your aging pet as healthy as possible and ensuring they eat an a...

Pets, especially senior pets, often become weak in the hind end and struggle to stand, walk, or climb stairs or furniture. This weakness, called paresis, can progress to full-blown paralysis, which is a complete loss of voluntary movement. Your pet may become paralyzed because of a degenerative condition, like degenerative myelopathy or interverteb...

Caring for an ailing pet can be challenging but it can be rewarding too! With the right veterinary care and the right mindset, we can adapt to the needs of our pets the same way they adapt to ours. Salihli Opperman is "a declawed, indoor, housecat with a passive-aggressive temperament that will occasionally get spooked by a cricket" but she is also...

As pets become more and more integrated into our families, it stands to reason they would grieve the loss of another pet, the same way people do. Pets can form unbreakable bonds, attaching strongly to other household pets—including different species—and can also experience grief and loss. One of the best ways for owners to make this grief easier is...