Going out of town and leaving your beloved senior pet in a pet sitter's care can cause a great deal of unnecessary worry and stress. By preparing your pet sitter for your senior pet's needs, you can ensure they have the tools to provide proper medical and nursing care to keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Before setting out on vacation and l...

Pets of all ages can suffer from noise aversion, which is the fear of startling or loud sounds. Most commonly, pets with noise aversion are terrified of such booming sounds as thunderstorms and fireworks, but they can also be afraid of vacuums, construction noise, loud sounds on the TV, yelling children, and other everyday noises. With age and loss...

It's finally springtime and after a long winter, the last thing you want to stress over is allergy season, especially for our outdoor friends. Allergies in pets, which typically involve their skin, ears, eyes, and anal glands, can change and develop throughout a pet's life. This means that your senior pet can develop an allergy to substances that h...

As your pet's muzzle turns grey, they may become slower and lose the playful enthusiasm they had as a puppy or kitten. This does not mean you should stop providing regular activity for your senior pet—on the contrary, they need regular activity now more than ever. Sedentary pets lose muscle mass, accumulate fatty tissue, and become weaker, which le...

If you enjoy a good road trip, you may wonder if your senior pet can come along for the fun. Leaving them behind in a kennel and missing out on the adventure seems unfair, but travel has some dangers for senior pets. Following these dos and don'ts, you can help ensure your senior pet stays safe on your next car trip. DO consider your senior pet's h...

Your senior pet may think they're still a party animal and should attend your cookout, but barbecues and grilling outdoors can be hazardous for your furry pal. Before inviting your older pet to your barbecue, follow these five tips to ensure their comfort and safety. 1. Monitor your senior pet's comfort in high temperatures and humidity Geriatric p...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...