As pets age, they have different requirements in terms of care. The good news is that they can remain healthy and happy with the proper senior pet care. All Friends Veterinary Hospital, your local vet in East Islip, NY, is here to provide the care your pet needs at any stage of life. Here’s what you need to know about caring for a senior pet and how we can help.
Senior Pets Need Frequent Vet Visits
Like humans, pets are more prone to ailments as they get older. Because of this, they need to visit our veterinarian more frequently. Usually, twice per year will suffice unless an underlying condition warrants more frequent visits. During these visits, our veterinarian will provide a full examination, dental care, and blood work, which will help establish a baseline understanding of your pet’s health. It will also allow our vet to detect any problems and begin treatment, if necessary.
Senior Pets Need Regular Exercise
As your pet gets older, exercise becomes that much more important. You shouldn’t expect your pet to run across the park and chase the frisbee like it used to, but even minor exercises will help to keep those muscles supple and strong. Exercise can also help prevent obesity, keep joints healthy, stimulate your pet’s appetite, and improve its overall mood. Keep in mind that exercise should be done in moderation to prevent overexertion. Speak to our vet during your pet’s next appointment about how much and what type of exercise it needs.
Senior Pets Often Need Special Diets
As pets age, they may have issues with their food, whether it is due to chewing or digestion problems. You will need to tweak your pet’s diet to match its current health. Your animal may need to start eating a special diet that has certain vitamins and nutrients in it or one that is easier on its digestive system. Alternatively, you may need to add supplements to your pet’s diet to ensure it receives the proper nutritional support. Our vet can help you set up the right diet for your animal.
Visit Us for Senior Pet Care from Our Vet in East Islip, NY
It does take a little more time and effort on your part to ensure your senior pet is properly taken care of. However, our team at All Friends Veterinary Hospital can make this process easy and stress-free through regular consultations. If you would like to learn more about senior pet wellness and senior pet care, contact our East Islip clinic today.