EASY-PEASY WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF SENIOR PETS
Want to discover ways to continue enjoying quality time with your beloved older furry besties? For ingredients, you will need the usual extra loving cuddles, a few dashes of the occasional boop-the-snoot game on Friday night, and some thoughtful planning to turn your home into a safe, accessible space for geriatric pets.
With age, senior pets navigate with reduced motor and cognitive skills, vision impairment and hearing loss, arthritis, inflammation, balance problems, social withdrawal, fatigue, muscle and weight loss and more.
Here are tips for what you can do:
- KEEP ’EM MOVIN’!
No, not acrobatics on the wheel! Unless you would like receiving cosmic payback with broken bones when you turn 80.
But senior pets aren’t all that different from senior humans. Not only does keeping elderly pets moving help loosen stiff joints and reduce risk of pressure sores, mobility also helps senior pets enjoy their routines as long as possible, enjoy socialization, and keeps them emotionally healthy and happy! 
- NON-SLIP CARPETS!
Use non-clip carpet runners, rugs, and yoga mats on your tiled floors. Use carpet runners with bright colored patterns to help with vision loss.
- CINDERELLA TIME: TOE GRIPS!
Get ready to turn into prince charming hunting for the perfect fit for your furry mate!
Toe grips and anti-slip dog shoes provide more stability to aging pets and prevent slippage, both indoors and on walks. We found products like Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips and dog paw pad coating systems like Pawtology’ PawFriction that increases traction, stops slipping, improves stability and enhances your senior dog’s quality of life.
- GATES
We don’t want our senior friends falling down the stairs or into the pool. Restrict access to spaces posing threats by being creative!
- JOINT-CARE SUPPLEMENTS 🦴
Consider supplementing your senior pet’s diet.
Spend some time doing some detective-level stalking and research to land on the best one for your dog.
Here is PetMD’s List!
- KEEP YOUR FRIEND WARM-N-COZY
Senior pets are much more sensitive to extremes in temperature, so pay attention to make sure the temperature in your home is just right and consistent at all times.
Shaya’s special collection of sweaters and coats is aimed to provide comfort to pets and keep them comfy and warm indoors and outdoors- do not forget to check out these cute sweaters for your senior friend and help them feel more comfortable!
And yes, those fancy patterns are also going to turn eyes and make your senior friend the talk of neighborhood celebrity gossip soon: be prepared for the extra attention and awe! Your furry mate deserves it all!
- SOFT, PLUSHY BEDS!
Softer beds help reduce pressure sores which can be a concern for aging dogs who spend considerable time resting.
Try to ensure your senior pet’s bed is comfortable, not too high, and easy to get in and out of.
- CHESS-MATE: READY FOR YOUR BESTIE’S MOVES?
From memory games, scent work, visual puzzles and more, brain games keep your aging friend’s mind sharp and healthy, so it is amazing to add some to your daily quality time with your friend.
Here is a wonderful list of brain games for senior dogs- check’em out! Our favorites are Nina Ottoson’s Puzzles!
- ABOVE ALL, SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR AGING FRIEND
Social withdrawal is common for aging pets, and you want to make sure you shower your senior pet generously with your attention, time, and snuggles! Try to spend time with your pet daily, speaking comfortingly to it and engaging in physical display of affection, and bring other gentle pets or children to socialize with your geriatric pet. Aging pets often become depressed or prone to social withdrawal and the more we keep their social lives active and meaningful, and spend more quality time, the happier and healthier they will be!
If you have made any changes to your home or your personal schedule for a senior pet, let us know your story! Email us at hello@shayapets.com.
We will be back with more tips. Stay tuned!
