Your Guide to Caring for an Aging Pet
Article By: Jessica Brody
Taking care of an aging pet comes with unique considerations. Maybe you’ve noticed that your
pet doesn’t have as much energy as they used to, or maybe the food they once loved now gives
them an upset stomach. As the years go by, you might have questions about how to best care
for your pet. All of these changes are normal for animals as they get older, and even if your pet
is getting a little gray, you can still look forward to many happy days with your companion.
Whether you recently adopted a senior pet, or you’ve had your furry friend since they were only
a few weeks old, here’s how to keep your pet healthy and comfortable in their “golden years.”
How to Pay for Vet Care
One major concern for owners of senior pets includes dealing with the high costs of veterinary
care. When you have an aging pet, you can expect to find yourself at the vet’s office more often.
It’s helpful to save up an emergency fund, but taking out a pet insurance policy is the best way
to prepare for these costs. The Balance recommends researching the deductibles, routine
wellness coverage, and injury and illness caps of different plans before selecting one.
Dietary Changes
If your senior pet is having digestive issues, don’t panic — this is quite common, and your vet
may recommend that you switch their food to a formula for older animals. There are plenty of
dog and cat foods on the market for aging pets, and you’re sure to find one that helps your four-
legged friend thrive! Improving your pet’s gut health will boost their immune system and
digestion, so giving your pet supplements may also help them fight off infections. For instance,
you may want to consider giving your cat probiotics, which populate the gut with good bacteria.
Before purchasing any supplements, make sure to research the many options available and
read plenty of online reviews and guides to ensure that you’re buying from a reliable company.
Establish a Healthy Routine
Your cat may not wake you up as early in the morning as they used to. Your dog might get tired
after your usual long walks. And there’s a strong possibility that your pet needs to take daily
medication. This means that you may need to make adjustments to their usual routines.
As long as you’re able to take care of your pet before you head out to work, allow them to sleep
in a little later than they used to. When it comes to exercise, you may need to slow things down
a bit; if you have a senior dog, it might be time to go on shorter walks. And if your pet takes any
medications, administer them at the same time each day. Compounding RX USA recommends
hiding pills in food to mask the taste and carefully dosing out any liquid medications with a
dropper. If your pet gets antsy, you may need someone to lend a helping hand!
Spoiling Your Pet
Unfortunately, our pets won’t live forever, and we all know that we’ll have to say goodbye one
day. But before that day comes, why not spoil them a little more than usual? There are plenty of
ways to pamper your pet without overfeeding them or encouraging bad behavior. For example,
you could purchase some fun, age-appropriate toys for your senior cat, like fleece pulls and
catnip toys. For your dog, you might consider baking healthy, homemade treats and buying a
comfortable, plush dog bed where they can relax on lazy days. Consider also opting for a two-
fer like CBD treats. They’ll get something tasty and it can help them feel more comfortable or
even lower anxiety.
Aging doesn’t have to hold your pet back from living a healthy life. Yes, you’ll likely have to
tweak their diet and daily routine, and you should prepare to spend more on veterinary care. But
as long as your pet has you by their side, they’ll be happy as ever with each passing year.
