How To Help Your Pet In Their Senior Years

Do you have an older pet? It’s hard to see our pets slow down. Your once active pet may now have difficulty getting up the stairs or jumping on the couch. But there is so much you can do to help. These wonderful products are available at most pet stores and can help your pet feel so much more comfortable and happy.

* Raised food and water bowls: Raised food and water bowls can help elderly pets with mobility issues by reducing the amount of strain on their necks and backs while they eat and drink. Elevated bowls can also help pets with arthritis or joint pain to avoid bending down and putting pressure on their joints. Provide easy access to the litterbox and bowls.

* Non-slip flooring: Non-slip flooring can be helpful as it can reduce the risk of slipping and falling. If you have hardwood or tile floors, consider adding area rugs or non-slip mats to provide traction.

* Support harnesses and slings: Support harnesses and slings can be helpful by providing support and stability. These devices can help pets with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other joint issues to get up and move around more easily.

* Ramps and stairs: Ramps and stairs can help your pet have access to high surfaces like beds, couches, or cars without having to jump or climb. Ramps and stairs can be especially helpful for dogs with arthritis or joint pain, as they can reduce the amount of pressure on their joints.

Choosing a Feeding Bowl For Your Pet

How much thought have you given to your pet’s food and water bowls? Pet bowls come in many sizes, colors and styles and of course perform an important function. Here are a few factors to consider when trying to find the right bowl for your pet

For Your Dog

Breed (and size) of your dog.  

Take a look at your dog’s anatomy, tiny breeds (Chihuahuas, Yorkies) would need a small-low sided bowl, but a large breed dog (Golden Retriever, Labs...that wants to lick the bowl clean) will need a large weighted, or rubber edged bowl to accommodate the quantity and avoid it being pushed around. Long eared dogs (Basset Hounds) need a bowl with high sides to keep their ears out and long-nosed (collies, afghan hounds) find it easier to eat from a deeper bowl. However, your shorter faced dogs (pugs, Boston terriers, bulldogs) find a shallow bowl better suited for their needs.

Age
Senior pets and those with arthritis or degenerative joint disease might find it more comfortable to have the bowl raised, rather than bending down.You can find bowls that sit on a pedestal or you could set it on a box or small table.

Material

• Ceramic bowls-  come in every pattern imaginable, they are more fragile and will require you to be a little more careful and make sure they are sealed.
• Plastic bowls- very durable and easy to care for, plus they also come in many different patterns, however some pets may have sensitivity to plastic.
• Stainless bowls- easy care and comes in variety of sizes, but you do not have the same options in patterns.

Decorative Style- what fits your home? It will be part of your life, do you want it to go with your décor or be a doggy pattern.

Other features-do you want one double bowl or two separate?, self-feeder/water bowls, self-feeder with timer (great for busy families). Or do you need a slow feeder bowl to help your dog slow down?

For Your Cat

Many of the same elements apply to cats, but often it is more important on where you feed your cat than in what.  Cats generally prefer a calm, quiet place and often like to eat off the ground (if there is a suitable place) away from small children and other pets.