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5 Ways to Make Your Aging Pet Comfortable at Home
If you have older pets or if you're thinking about getting one anytime soon, it's important that you know of ways to make your aging pet feel as comfortable as possible in your home. Being a pet owner is challenging, and looking after aging pets can make the responsibility harder.
However, just because your pet is older doesn't mean that it has to be deprived of the comforts of home. In fact, there are plenty of ways to ensure that your pet remains comfortable at home, no matter how old they are.
Aside from getting an insurance you can afford for your pet, take note of these tips to ensure that your aging pet remains comfortable at home.
1. Invest In A High-Quality Dog Bed
If you own a senior pet, you need to make sure that you make it your number one priority to keep them as comfortable as possible, and you can achieve this by giving them the best bed you can afford. This is particularly true of larger dogs who’ll need additional support when sleeping.
The market is bombarded with countless beds for pets today, so make sure that you choose one that suits the size and health requirements of your pet. Choosing a bed with extra padding is also a smart decision as this can support the pressure points of your pet’s body.
Investing in a high-quality bed for your pet will make it easy for them to get some shuteye, and ensure that they remain strong even as they age.
2. Consider Pet’s Mobility
While puppies and kittens naturally love to slide on slippery floors, it’s a completely different story for senior or handicapped pets. Aging pets need to be more careful in their steps because stepping hastily on uncarpeted or smooth flooring can result in injuries.
One way to make your aging pet feel comfortable at home is to invest and place non-skid carpet runners in areas where they’d usually love to stay. If your pet loves to follow you around in the kitchen, make sure that the flooring has non-skid carpet runners to prevent them from slipping. Pet boots and traction socks can be worn to help your pet grip the floor as well.
Aside from the flooring, it’s vital that you also pay attention to the heights around your home. Aging pets will usually have a hard time to reach high surfaces as their bones will start to become weak and brittle. To make things easier for your aging pet to conquer heights, use a portable ramp or lifting harness for them. Either can be used by your pet as they’re climbing the bed or riding the car.
3. Protect Pets In Extreme Weather
It’s common for senior pets to experience discomfort during extreme weather conditions. Your pet might shiver during the winter months or sweat too much during summer.
For your aging to pet to stay comfortable at your home all-year long, protect them from extreme weather conditions. During the winter months, let your aging pet use a fleece blanket as this can provide warmth to their bodies and prevent any muscle stiffness. Pets dealing with mobility loss have an even harder time regulating their temperature. Make sure your pet has a soft, warm place to rest at all times.
During the summer, prioritize providing shade and cool water to your aging pet. You can also invest in a cooling mat or bed for them to ensure that they remain comfortable indoors. If you have a water-loving pet, you can also let them stay in an inflatable kiddie pool where they can cool themselves during the summer.
4. Remove Obstacles
Aside from having weak bones, aging pets will likely develop hearing or vision problems as well. During this time of their lives, they might not be able to hear or see things clearly.
Removing obstacles is one of the easiest ways to make your aging pet feel comfortable at home. You can do this by keeping your furniture arrangement as consistent as possible (changing your furniture arrangement regularly can cause a lot of stress to aging pets), clearing out clutter that might block your pet’s route, and adding lighting fixtures wherever needed.
5. Pay Attention To Their Health
Aging pets can develop countless of health problems as soon as they enter their senior years, but this doesn’t mean that pet owners can’t do anything about it. On the contrary, many of age-related diseases among pets can be controlled or managed with regular veterinary care.
One of the most effective ways to ensure that your aging pet remains comfortable at home is to pay attention to their health. If you notice anything new or strange in their behavior, take them to the vet immediately. Early detection will give your aging pet better chances of surviving illnesses.
Make Changes
To ensure that your pet easily transitions into their senior life, implement the tips in this article to your home. Making small changes around your home will surely go a long way to ensure that your pet remains comfortable regardless of how old they are. For additional tips on How to Prepare Your Home to Care for a Senior Pet check out this (highly) informative link from Porch.com.
