{"id":48,"date":"2023-10-16T07:15:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T14:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cherrycreekvet.com\/blog\/?p=48"},"modified":"2023-10-09T07:27:23","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T14:27:23","slug":"understanding-the-needs-of-senior-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cherrycreekvet.com\/blog\/understanding-the-needs-of-senior-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Needs of Senior Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are many factors, such as breed, weight and lifestyle, that influence the aging process of pets. Some pets are viewed as seniors around age 6, but many pets don\u2019t arrive in the golden years until much later. In any case, one fact remains: pets age faster than humans. Routine wellness exams (scheduled twice a year for senior pets) can prevent, catch, and treat various age-related conditions. Additionally, understanding the changing needs of senior pets is critical at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Similar, Yet Different<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remember when your pet was a puppy or a kitten? It was probably hard to fathom then what they might look like later in life, of how they might behave. It\u2019s interesting now to reflect on how they used to play or the ways they\u2019ve changed over the years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As pets age<\/a>, their care must change. In addition to mobility challenges, senior pets can have poor vision and\/or hearing, incontinence, and other issues they\u2019ve never experienced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The More, the Better<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ability to recognize even subtle shifts in behavior and appearance can go a long way toward supporting the aging process. Some age-related conditions present few, if any, clinical symptoms at first. Maintaining a schedule of twice yearly wellness exams<\/a> can clue us into what\u2019s happening beneath the surface. Early detection can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s Talk Diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senior pets do not have the same nutritional needs as younger animals. As such, it is essential to find the right balance for the body\u2019s changing systems. Common health conditions facing senior pets include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n