1. Don't overfeed your senior pet
As your pet ages, their caloric needs change. Older pets are less active and require fewer calories than their younger counterparts. While your dog used to chase the ball for hours, or your cat batted toy mice through the house, they likely spend more time napping and relaxing now, which requires less energy. If your pet continues to eat the same amount, they may become overweight, which will increase the strain on achy joints. Ask your family veterinarian to calculate the precise number of calories your senior pet needs daily, and use the label from your pet's food to calculate the correct number of cups of food.
2. Ensure your senior pet eats enough
While many senior pets have a healthy appetite, others may lose their desire for food. If your pet has a disease condition that causes nausea, getting them to eat enough calories to maintain their weight can be especially challenging. To encourage your pet to eat, try making their food more appealing.
- Heat it up — Heating your pet's food slightly in the microwave will increase its aroma, perhaps making your pet more interested.
- Add a tempting topdressing — Topping your pet's dry food with a few spoonfuls of canned food, a pet-safe "gravy," or a little water can enhance the flavor and entice them to eat.
- Hand feed — Many hesitant pets will eat if you sit with them, or hand them their food piece by piece.
If your senior pet has a poor appetite, despite these measures, ask your family veterinarian whether a prescription appetite stimulant could help.
3. Make diet changes gradually for your senior pet
Your senior pet may no longer enjoy their regular food, making a change necessary. Or, they may need to switch to a senior diet or prescription food. If a major dietary change is in order, make the switch gradually. Keep in mind that your pet eats the same food each day, so their body is attuned to the specific enzymes needed to break down those exact food ingredients. Also, your older pet probably has a more sensitive GI system, and a sudden change will likely result in an upset stomach and diarrhea.
To gradually switch your pet's food, feed 75% of their old food mixed with 25% of the new food for a few days, switch to a 50:50 mixture, and then a 25:75 mixture. The entire process should take approximately seven days for your pet's GI system to adjust to the new food ingredients.
4. Ensure your senior pet can access their food
While your younger cat may have easily jumped to their elevated food bowl, or your younger dog could head down to the basement for their dinner, mobility issues can make accessing out-of-the-way food bowls difficult. Although having your dog's food out of sight, or keeping your cat's bowl elevated to keep their food away from the dog may be more convenient, it can also make getting to their food and water challenging for your pet. For your older pet who suffers from mobility problems or a decreased appetite, ensure their food is in an easy-to-access location where they can nibble throughout the day, whenever they feel hungry. Put your pet's food and water bowls in the area where they spend the most time or place a set on each home level. Something as simple as raising the food and water bowls for a larger dog can make life easier for them.
As your pet ages, and particularly if they have a poor appetite, you may choose to support them through their final days with hospice care. Give our office a call at (802) 871-2329 to schedule a tele-health consult.