As pets age, they face various health challenges like arthritis and behavioral changes. Regular senior wellness exams are essential for early detection and treatment, helping to reduce discomfort and prevent complications. At Minnehaha Animal Hospital, we recommend twice-yearly checkups to monitor your pet’s health and create personalized care plans to keep them healthy and active as they age. Early diagnosis and proactive management are key to improving their quality of life.

Common Health Issues in Senior Pets

By focusing on early diagnosis, we can prevent or minimize the impact of these conditions on your pet’s overall health.

Twice-yearly checkups allow us to catch and treat these issues before they become severe, ensuring a higher quality of life for your senior pets.

As your pet ages, they may develop specific conditions that require long-term management. At Minnehaha Animal Hospital, we offer treatment options and lifestyle adjustments for your senior pet to ensure their comfort. Early detection and proactive veterinary care help improve their quality of life. Some of the most common challenges include:

Arthritis is a common issue in aging pets, particularly large dogs, caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Symptoms include difficulty climbing stairs, limping, stiffness after rest, reluctance to play, and vocalizing pain when touched.

Treatment options include:

A tailored approach combining these treatments can help manage arthritis and improve your pet’s quality of life.

As pets age, their nutritional needs change. Senior pets require fewer calories due to lower activity levels but still need nutrient-rich diets to support their aging bodies. 

Key dietary adjustments include reducing calorie intake to prevent obesity, increasing fiber for digestive health, adding joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine, ensuring adequate protein, and promoting hydration. These adjustments help manage age-related issues such as arthritis, organ dysfunction, and dehydration, supporting overall health as pets age.

Managing chronic pain in senior pets is crucial, especially for conditions like arthritis and dental disease. It’s important to recognize subtle signs of pain, such as reluctance to move, changes in behavior, or vocalizing when touched. 

Early intervention allows for effective pain relief through medications like NSAIDs, supplements like glucosamine, physical therapy, and comfort modifications like padded bedding. A holistic approach ensures senior pets remain comfortable and maintain a good quality of life.

Older pets are often more sensitive to environmental factors, particularly extreme weather.  In Minneapolis, cold winters can worsen arthritis, so it’s important to keep pets warm and minimize outdoor time, while icy surfaces can increase the risk of injury. In humid summers, dehydration and heatstroke are concerns, so ensure pets stay hydrated and avoid walks during peak heat.

It’s important to adjust your senior pet’s routine based on the weather and their energy levels. During extreme temperatures, shorten walks and watch for signs of fatigue. Always keep them hydrated, especially in the summer, by bringing water on walks. Opt for early morning or evening walks during hot weather and limit midday outings in winter to keep them comfortable.

Taking a proactive approach to caring for senior pets is essential to ensuring they lead long, healthy, and happy lives. By closely monitoring their health, adjusting their lifestyle as needed, and being attentive to signs of discomfort or illness, pet owners can greatly enhance their senior pet’s quality of life. At Minnehaha Animal Hospital, we suggest the following proactive measures to support your aging dog or cat:

At Minnehaha Animal Hospital, we work closely with you to create a customized care plan that addresses your pet’s specific needs as they age. Our goal is to ensure that your senior dog or cat enjoys their later years with as much comfort and happiness as possible.