Senior – Tips for nutrition, excess weight and incontinence
Living with an old pet is something special. Not only that the bond to your four-legged friend has become deeper and deeper over the years, our senior pets also develop a special charisma that is often defined by dignified composure and calmness.
A lot of things happen more slowly now and the need for periods of rest has increased. You need to pay special attention here as many changes go unnoticed at first. For example, eating and drinking habits.
Nutrition
Appropriate nutrition for each age group does a lot for your pet’s quality of life. In pet shops, you can find a large choice of feed types suitable for senior pets. It is best to get specialist advice there.
Feed supplements can increase your senior pet‘s wellbeing, e.g. by boosting the immune system or supporting healthy skin and fur.
It is important for our senior pets to drink enough to relieve the burden on the kidneys. Many pets with grey snouts find flowing water from a drinking fountain interesting.
Due to its higher water content, wet feed is more suitable for senior pets than dry feed.
Easy to digest snack pastes are great as rewards or snacks in between meals. The delicacies from the tubes are easy to digest and licking them relaxes your senior pet. By the way, there are special snacks that allow pills to be hidden in them. Just right for solving the problem if your pet does not want to take their medication.
Excess weight
Older dogs often get problems with excess weight or even obesity (adiposis). In the worst case, a vicious circle of weight gain and inactivity is the result. Make sure your old pet is active so that the weight stays normal. This also helps to prevent a number of diseases that can result from excess weight, e.g. excessive joint damage, diseases of the cardio-vascular system or diabetes (diabetes mellitus).
Slow Feeding products slow down the food intake, making feeding more exciting for your pet and keeping the pet busy for longer. If your pet gulps down the food, these products can help with hyperacidity, flatulence and cramps. Licking also relaxes your pet. Especially with demented pets that tend to be restless this is a useful side effect and can help to start the day in a gentle way or relax for the night.
Incontinence
Once your senior pet is no longer clean in the house, first of all have the vet check for possible causes. Possibly the health problem at the base of this can be treated. If the incontinence cannot be alleviated, hygiene pads in places where your pet normally lies can at least catch some of the mishaps.
Nappies or diapers for male dogs can also improve hygiene. It is important to change them sufficiently often as your old friend might not like the smell.
If stains from urine or faeces happen, special cleaning agents help to remove stains and odour completely. They also remove vomit and other intensive pet smells reliably. In particular those places where your pet lies and that are washed often should be washed with an animal - friendly and odourless detergent.
