Caring for Your Senior Pet

Thanks to advancements in veterinary care, pets are living longer than ever before, and that’s a wonderful thing. At Harmony Pet Clinic, we believe that old age is not a disease. However, as dogs and cats age, their needs change, just like people. They may require different nutrition, or simple changes around the house to accommodate issues like developing arthritis, hearing loss, or vision problems.

Older pets also have a higher chance of developing dental problems, kidney disease, or heart conditions. Fortunately, we have many ways to help our aging friends navigate these changes comfortably.

Managing Arthritis and Mobility

One of the most common issues we see in senior pets is arthritis. If you notice your pet is slowing down, appearing “stiffer” upon rising, having trouble with stairs, or just not able to run or exercise like they used to, these could be signs of arthritic pain.

You don’t have to watch your friend struggle. Many products and therapies have become available to help manage arthritis and improve your pet’s comfort and mobility. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, please call us. We would like to perform an examination and help create a plan to manage their discomfort.

Proactive Health Screening for Seniors

Early detection is key to managing age-related diseases. For our senior patients, we recommend yearly wellness screenings including blood work, urinalysis, a fecal test, and x-rays. These tests help us find the early onset of diseases, establish a baseline for your pet’s health, and manage conditions more effectively, often before your pet even shows symptoms. Learn more about our approach to caring for older pets.