{"id":107,"date":"2011-01-03T01:00:34","date_gmt":"2011-01-03T01:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/?p=107"},"modified":"2011-01-03T01:00:34","modified_gmt":"2011-01-03T01:00:34","slug":"the-golden-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/the-golden-years\/","title":{"rendered":"The Golden Years"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It may seem like yesterday that you first fell in love with your puppy or kitten, but everyday they are getting older.\u00a0 Certain changes are common in aging pets just as they are for people.\u00a0 These changes can affect how your pet behaves and experiences life.\u00a0 By acknowledging them, however, we can help our pets to cope with these new challenges and maintain a great quality of life.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dulling of the senses:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Just like an elderly person, senior pets may not hear or see as well as they once did.\u00a0 While there may not be any way to reverse losses, the conscientious pet owner can help their animal adjust.\u00a0 Take care to not surprise pets that cannot hear or see you coming.\u00a0 If your pet\u2019s eyesight is failing, you may avoid rearranging furniture and other objects in the household in order to make them feel more secure.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Difficulty getting around:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Creaky bones are an unfortunate consequence of normal wear and tear.\u00a0 If you notice your pet having a hard time, try to make adjustments to accommodate this challenge. There are many varieties of steps and ramps made just for pets that can help them get in and out of the car, climb onto the bed, or nap in their favorite window.\u00a0 If you notice Fluffy having a hard time getting in or out of the litter box, consider a shallower and\/or larger box.\u00a0 If Fido is slow to rise out of his bed, consider a thicker, plusher cushion.\u00a0 Your veterinarian may also be able to prescribe medications or recommend treatments that can help with arthritis pain.\u00a0 Older pets should continue to be active, however less intense activities may be necessary.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Changes in personality:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A pet that is in pain or not feeling well may become crabby or distant.\u00a0 Older pets may not be as tolerant as they once were simply because they hurt.\u00a0 Take this into consideration, particularly when they are around small children who may not always be gentle.\u00a0 Pets can also suffer from a form of dementia known as cognitive dysfunction.\u00a0 Any major changes in personality indicate the need for an examination by your vet.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Loss of housebreaking:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Accidents in the house may indicate a health problem including arthritis, kidney problems, endocrine problems, or cognitive dysfunction.\u00a0 These should be investigated in order to head off problems early.<\/p>\n<p>Making small adjustments and discussing challenges with your vet can make a big difference in your faithful friend\u2019s golden years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It may seem like yesterday that you first fell in love with your puppy or kitten, but everyday they are getting older.\u00a0 Certain changes are common in aging pets just as they are for people.\u00a0 These changes can affect how your pet behaves and experiences life.\u00a0 By acknowledging them, however, we can help our pets [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,15],"tags":[432,640,641,642],"class_list":["post-107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-health-wellness","category-senior-pet-care","tag-older-pets","tag-senior-pet-care","tag-senior-pet-health","tag-senior-pets"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Golden Years - Animal Medical Hospital &amp; 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