Springtime Wellness Tips for Senior Pets
Caring for senior pets during the spring takes a little bit of extra attention than younger animals, but with a few simple tips from Animal Care Unlimited, you can do it with ease. Keep reading for some of our top tips on springtime wellness for senior pets.
Manage Allergies
Your pet may have dealt with seasonal allergies throughout life. Dogs and cats may exhibit coughing and sneezing like we do, but other signs of allergies could be:
- Red, itchy skin, including licking and “hot spots”
- “Scooting” due to irritated anal glands
- Itchy ears, often due to ear infections
Though this might not be new for your pet, older dogs and cats may have a harder time coping with these issues. Coughing can make breathing even more difficult, and ear infections can be more severe for a senior’s immune system. Talk to your veterinary team about possible adjustments to medications, bathing, or other senior pet care guidance when allergies strike.
Know the Signs of Arthritis
Regular physical activity is vital for kittens and puppies all the way up to geriatric cats and dogs. However, even the most fit pets can still develop mobility issues and arthritis. Glorious spring weather might inspire you to increase mileage during hikes or jogs, but remember that your older pet could struggle to keep up. Even spring “zoomies” indoors could be less frequent.
Monitor your pet for signs of fatigue, stiffness, or pain, and consider more gentle exercise activities. Avoiding strenuous or intense activity is important for springtime pet safety. Contact us if you have questions about joint supplements or exercise routines for aging pets wellness.
Keep Up with Vaccines
Speaking of the great spring outdoors, this is where your pet might encounter lyme, rabies, and other diseases. But depending on where and when you spend time outdoors, vaccine recommendations could change. Your veterinarian might call for either more or fewer vaccinations, depending on your dog or cat’s lifestyle in advanced age. There is also the chance that the immunization schedule will change. For example, dogs would have received annual distemper vaccines in their youth, but that could switch over to an every-three-year routine into adulthood. However, it is vital to communicate with your veterinarian so that they can consider how an active springtime agenda will affect vaccine recommendations.
Practice Parasite Prevention
Generally, heartworm and flea/tick prevention should be used throughout a dog or cat’s lifetime. Unless otherwise directed by your vet, maintain the same schedule for these important medications because infections can be more dangerous for senior dogs and cats. While fleas, ticks, and mosquitos may have been scarce lately, spring is when they start becoming more active—even inside our homes. So whether you’re soaking up more sun or chilling on the couch, parasite prevention is not something to skip!
Animal Care Unlimited can be your best resource for seasonal pet care info. Call us at (614) 766-2317 if you’d like to discuss older dog care or senior cat health any time of year!