Senior Pets and Winter

Bedding

Arthritis, which is a progressive disease of the joints, tends to cause more pain in winter.  Keep your pet comfortable with a softly padded and electrically heated bed.  We recommend Petzone Plus.  Email  petzone@thermofilm.com.au or check out their website at www.petzone.com.au . 

Senior Food

Most senior foods contain joint support supplements, including omega 3 and 6, gluosamine.  Free radical scavangers to ward off dementia. Lower calories to prevent weight gain and highly metabolised ingredients.  All animals over the age of 8 years old should consider a senior diet.

Exercise

Even though it might be wet and cold outside, it is important to keep your dog mobile.  Like with humans, regular gentle exercise maintains mobility and is important for your dog.  There are great waterproof coats available to keep your pet dry.  We recommend "Weather beaters" as a good quality, machine washable option. (see our products page for images).

Outside dogs

It is extremely important that your pet is warm.  A dry, comfortable kennel arrangement as well a warm jacket in a polarfleece material is important.  Dogs may have a natural "coat" but they historically live in packs and use each other for body warmth.

Arthritis

Joint support nutrition such as can be found in senior foods or as additives such as Dr Jack's Formula, or in treat formulation.

Pentosan polysulphate.  An injection per week for 4 weeks of this medication actually clinically improves joint mobility and reduces pain.  Each course can provide up to 12 mths of pain relief.

Anti inflammatories.  Your vet can prescribe pain killers once your pet is showing signs of being uncomfortable.  If your dog is limping, iis stiff after getting out of bed or can no longer jump into the back of the car or up on the couch then he/she is most likely suffering from some discomfort.

Keeping your animals weight down is also extremely important. 

Extra weight on painful joints is not a good thing.

Blood testing

It is a good idea to test the blood of your senior pets every year.  Early detection of liver, kidney or other diseases, can save your pet's life!

Please contact us at the clinic to discuss your senior pet's needs.