"I'm a vet and these 5 things will give you more years with your pets"

As November draws to a close, so marks the end of our celebrations for Senior Pet Month. It’s thought around 57% of us will own a pet at some point, and us pet parents always want to know how to give our fur family the happiest and longest of lives.

This includes our senior citizen pets too, of course! To help our pets live out their golden years in the best of health, our TrustedHousesitters pet experts have joined forces with veterinary surgeon, Pete Wedderburn. 

"As humans, we know that if we want to live for as long as possible, we need to focus on issues like diet, exercise, sleep, mental health and minimising stress. For our pets, the same general principles apply", Pete explains.

Too right, Pete! He’s kindly offered some pet pearls of wisdom to guide pet parents on how to improve and extend the lives of their paw pals.

Five ways to increase the life, and quality of life, of your senior pet

1. Adapt their diet as they age

As your pet ages, their digestive system changes, so it's vital to switch their diet to include food appropriate for their age. 

"Choose a good quality diet that has been designed for older pets, with high-quality ingredients and nutrients that have been adjusted to meet the different needs of an older animal," Pete says. "Also, make sure they have continual access to fresh water: change their drinking bowl every day so that the water is never fusty and stagnant."

2. Invest in key supplements

Supplements such as probiotics and prebiotics can help your pet’s gut health and immune system as they age. For dogs, prebiotic-rich foods, such as broccoli and sweet potato, may offer extra support to the vital organs and nervous system, so consider including these in their diet.

For cats, look for a gut-friendly and fibre-rich cat food. Cats require more specific pre and probiotics, so giving them human foods won’t be beneficial.  

3. Keep mental stimulation and enrichment going

As pets get older, it’s important to keep their brains active with regular stimulation. Play time, walks with lots of sniffing and time to socialize are essential each day, even as they age.

“Make sure that your pet has enough daily stimulation to keep their minds active,” Pete says. “As well as regular walks and play, give them regular attention during the day and try offering food-releasing toys (such as Kongs) to give them something to do when you are not there beside them.”

4. Dental health is vital 

Good oral care is essential as pets enter their senior years. As well as helping your pet’s teeth to look good, maintaining your pet's teeth and gums will help prevent oral issues and pain in your pet. It can even help to avoid organ damage from bacteria that can be carried into the bloodstream, leading to additional health problems. As well as brushing their teeth, dental stick chews and some vegetables are good for freshening breath and fighting plaque.

5. Ensure you’re minimizing stressors for your pets

As for mental health, older pets can be more affected by stress than their younger counterparts. Pete explains, “Try to understand what your pet likes and what upsets them. As a good example, if you go away on holiday, consider having them cared for by a pet sitter in your own home, rather than subjecting them to the stress of boarding kennels or a cattery.” 

We’d be inclined to agree, Pete…

Are you a pet parent to a senior animal? Looking to go away and need a sitter? We have loads of verified, trusted pet-loving sitters who know how to care for hounds, hens, cats, cows, goats, and even geckos living in their golden years. Browse loving in-home pet sitters near you today. 

Dr. Pete has been working as a vet for almost 40 years and is a pet parent to a variety of animals including ducks, dogs, cats, and hens. For more excellent tips and tricks on keeping your fur family healthy and happy, you can follow Pete on Instagram or visit his website.