Do you have older pets? Due to improved diet and care, pets are getting to live longer than before. This presents a whole new set of age related conditions. Cats and dogs are generally considered old at the age of 7 years. Large breed dogs are generally considered geriatric at the age of 6 years. Some of the problems old pets suffer include cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, senility and weakness. Frequent visits to the vet should be arranged on a semi-annual basis. The food should be more readily digested and should have anti aging nutrients. Weight increases the risk of health problems and appropriate exercise helps to keep them healthy and mobile. Sleeping areas should be improved to avoid stairs and should be more comfortable as older pets spend more time indoors.
Our toy poodle is already eight years old and she pretty much still acts like a puppy, all active and diva-ish. Her diet consists of regular softened kibble since she lost some teeth, boiled chicken liver, ground beef and white chicken meat. She also sometimes eat rice and loves bread. She sleeps anywhere she's comfortable in and nowadays, she just picks a corner where it would feel cool to her. Her vitamins is given through her food. She gets regular check ups to the vet and loves taking baths.
Before we had our first pekingese, we were offered a 6-year old female pekingese that is being culled from breeding. That age is a good time for retirement. And instead of taking care of a "useless" pet, breeders normally gave them away. But we refused the offer because how would an old dog behave in our home? And we also had a 5-year old mixed mongrel who is ferocious. Another issue is the attitude and culture of the dog. As they say, you cannot teach old dogs new tricks.
On a brighter note, after refusing that culled breeder, that same colleague offered me a puppy pekingese on the following year. That one I took. We named him Epoy. But that's another story.
Our toy poodle Sandy at eight years old is already a senior. She's showing temperemental attitude and right now is recovering from internal bleeding. When she's not in a mood, she won't eat and that might've caused the bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. She is being kept in a medicated food and anti-scour medicine prescribed by our vet. Older dogs need more attention.
We have a few pets already and are wondering about adding. The issue is that most of our pets are getting older and wonder if bringing a new pet would make them upset.
