Just like us, our pets grow older and their needs change. Regular senior wellness checks are proactive in that they aim to help your cat or dog live a longer and healthier life. Our pets experience the same aches and pains we do, as well as increased chances of illness and disease. A senior wellness check helps keep on top of these problems, making life more enjoyable for your pets and your family!
When Does My Pet Become a Senior?
Pets age a lot faster than humans do. One year for us is about seven years for a cat or dog. Cats are the slowest to age, with large breed dogs aging the fastest. As a rule, cats and dogs from eight years of age are seniors. However, many large breed dogs can be labelled as a senior anywhere from five years of age, while some small breed dogs are seniors from ten years up.
Benefits of Early Detection of Diseases and Aliments
As our pets age, they become more at risk for diseases and illnesses such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, bladder and bowel problems, thyroid problems, anaemia, dry eye and kidney disease. Most of these conditions are treatable if caught early on. As our pets are good at hiding early signs of health problems, a thorough check up twice a year is essential to keep your pet in the best of heath. Blood and urine testing, together with a vet examination are all it takes!
Benefits of Regular Blood Testing
Most of us dislike blood tests, but we accept that they are necessary to help doctors identify and treat our health problems. While it may not seem ‘nice’ to allow our cats and dogs to undertake regular blood testing, the benefits greatly outweigh the minimal discomfort. A blood test provides information which the vet can act upon immediately to treat your pet and prevent things getting worse. This includes checking for diabetes, liver or kidney problems, anaemia, cancer, immune system problems and thyroid disease.
Managing and Helping Your Aging Pet
There are many ways in which we can help your pet enjoy their senior years. One of the key areas is in diet management. As pets age, they use less energy which lowers their calorie needs. If your pet still eats the same amount, but is less active, weight gain is most likely to occur. Also, the way their bodies digest and absorb food also changes. Whether this is through having teeth in poor condition, gut or stomach problems, often a prescription food is recommended. We can help you choose the best food for your senior cat or dog which contains all the nutrients they need, but in an easily digestible form.
Nutritional supplements are also of great benefit in managing the health of our pets. Green lipped mussel and glucosamine extract supplements help provide much needed antioxidants and joint support for our pets.
You can find out more about wellness checks for elderly pets on our health check page and book an appointment for your pet’s check up here on our website too! We're currently offering full wellness checks for the discounted rate of $120 - $60 off the usual fee.
When Does My Pet Become a Senior?
Pets age a lot faster than humans do. One year for us is about seven years for a cat or dog. Cats are the slowest to age, with large breed dogs aging the fastest. As a rule, cats and dogs from eight years of age are seniors. However, many large breed dogs can be labelled as a senior anywhere from five years of age, while some small breed dogs are seniors from ten years up.
Benefits of Early Detection of Diseases and Aliments
As our pets age, they become more at risk for diseases and illnesses such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, bladder and bowel problems, thyroid problems, anaemia, dry eye and kidney disease. Most of these conditions are treatable if caught early on. As our pets are good at hiding early signs of health problems, a thorough check up twice a year is essential to keep your pet in the best of heath. Blood and urine testing, together with a vet examination are all it takes!
Benefits of Regular Blood Testing
Most of us dislike blood tests, but we accept that they are necessary to help doctors identify and treat our health problems. While it may not seem ‘nice’ to allow our cats and dogs to undertake regular blood testing, the benefits greatly outweigh the minimal discomfort. A blood test provides information which the vet can act upon immediately to treat your pet and prevent things getting worse. This includes checking for diabetes, liver or kidney problems, anaemia, cancer, immune system problems and thyroid disease.
Managing and Helping Your Aging Pet
There are many ways in which we can help your pet enjoy their senior years. One of the key areas is in diet management. As pets age, they use less energy which lowers their calorie needs. If your pet still eats the same amount, but is less active, weight gain is most likely to occur. Also, the way their bodies digest and absorb food also changes. Whether this is through having teeth in poor condition, gut or stomach problems, often a prescription food is recommended. We can help you choose the best food for your senior cat or dog which contains all the nutrients they need, but in an easily digestible form.
Nutritional supplements are also of great benefit in managing the health of our pets. Green lipped mussel and glucosamine extract supplements help provide much needed antioxidants and joint support for our pets.
You can find out more about wellness checks for elderly pets on our health check page and book an appointment for your pet’s check up here on our website too! We're currently offering full wellness checks for the discounted rate of $120 - $60 off the usual fee.
