Considerations when adopting a senior pet

Everyone loves a cute kitten or playful puppy! But often it makes more sense for families to adopt a senior pet. With a senior pet you usually know what you’re getting, they’re calmer, less destructive, and typically trained and housebroken.

But if you’ve decided to adopt a senior pet, there are a few special considerations to keep in mind so that you can provide the best care for your pet, allowing them to happily live out their golden years in your home! 

As our pets age, they may slow down with longer naps and shorter play sessions. While these changes are to be expected, slowing down can also signal that something is medically wrong. 

The following are some ways to support your pet as they age and what changes to watch for.

1. Pay attention to changes in behavior. Does your pet vocalize more often, spend more time alone, or seem more anxious or restless than usual? Behavior changes can signal pain or illness. Senior pets are often affected by osteoarthritis (OA), which can contribute to reduced activity. Reduced activity can lead to stiffness and/or weight gain, which worsen the symptoms of OA. Weight gain, specifically obesity, can lead to a number of other health conditions including diabetes and heart disease.
2. Appetite loss. While it’s true that senior pets may have a lack of appetite due to a reduced sense of smell or taste, they may be reluctant to eat due to dental disease. Dental disease doesn’t just cause bad breath—it can also mean painful and infected teeth or jaw bones and may lead to organ dysfunction. 
3. Maintain vaccinations. As pets age—just as with people—their ability to fight infections decreases. If your pet has a high risk of exposure to common preventable diseases, your veterinarian will likely advise continuing vaccinations according to the recommended schedule. Discuss your pet’s lifestyle and overall health condition with your veterinarian. 
4. Keep them comfy! Senior pets should have easy access to a warm and comfortable bed where they can sleep safely without being disturbed. Position the bed away from drafty windows and doors. 
5. Food and water. Always keep fresh water available for your pet. If they have difficulty navigating stairs but like to sleep upstairs or downstairs away from their water dish, provide an additional dish of water. Feed your older cat high-quality, easily digestible food recommended by your veterinarian. Pay attention to how frequently you’re filling the bowl—is your pet drinking more or a lot less than normal?
6. Potty time. As pets age they may experience difficulty with bladder and bowel control. For cats, provide multiple litter boxes on each floor of your home and close to favorite sleeping and lounging areas. For dogs, add extra outings for short potty breaks and consider pee pads or diapers if needed.
7. Groom your senior pet regularly. As pets age it becomes more difficult for them to groom themselves. Brush them frequently to prevent mats. Clip your dog’s toenails regularly, as long nails may cause your dog to stand and walk abnormally, resulting in pain.

Because some changes may be slow to develop, we recommend that you keep a monthly journal to capture snapshots of your pet’s health over time. Track your pet’s food and water consumption, potty breaks, activity level, new lumps and bumps, etc. Bring your journal to your pet’s next veterinary exam so you’re well prepared for the questions. 

Aging itself is not a disease, but older pets are more likely to develop health problems in their senior years. That’s why it’s important for pet owners to have their senior pets examined by a veterinarian at least twice a year.