South Bellmore Veterinary Group Review: Simple steps to take care of your senior pets
Watching the growth of your pet is similar to a long worthwhile journey to your favorite place. You possibly took different turns but managed to arrive at your location with a smile on your face which can be akin to the feeling of seeing your pets grow into a dependable and strong animal. Taking care of a pet since its birth requires time and effort, but all of which is nothing compared to the loyalty your pet companion is giving to you.
However, once your pet reached its old age, it needs more love and care from you as its owner. Today, you can be confident with veterinary medicine because good developments were made in this field on the past years, which can help give longer and better lives to your pets. You need to implement changes on the lifestyle of your pets as well in accordance with their age.
In order for your pets to have a healthy aging, you need to take care and understand specific things such as the pet’s genetics, diet, and environment. If the pet is 6-10 years old, or if your cat is 11-14 years old, then the pet belongs to the senior group already. But belonging to this group is not something you should be very scared about because, with the proper care and attention, your pets will surely live longer.
South Bellmore Veterinary Group wanted to help every pet owner in ensuring the good health of their senior pets through the following:
Regular Checkup
Schedule a regular checkup to your vet to monitor the condition of your pets. Even if your senior pet looks very healthy, you still need to take it to your vet at least twice a year. It is unavoidable to undergo some changes once an animal gets older where you can see effects regarding their age or worse, even witness them get some diseases easily. While it is somewhat normal to see senior pets having reduced vision and hearing, decrease in activity or increased sleeping, you can avoid them having major diseases if their illnesses were diagnosed early.
Even subtle changes on pets could mean some health problems, and with the help of the skills of a trusted vet, you can learn about the true condition of your pets since animals are good at hiding pain and diseases. Whether it is a big or small change happening on your pets, you should inform your vet right away.
Proper Diet
Animals need the right nutrition similar to humans, so give them a well-balanced diet. They won’t stay healthy if you’re not giving them nutritious foods. You can go with high-nutrient, easily-digested foods for older pets since they have a slower metabolism and they require a smaller amount of calories. You can contact or visit your vet to inquire about the best pet food brands, ingredients or other formulas that can boost the health and medical condition of your pets.
Right Weight
Taking a proper and good amount of nutrition can result in a healthy weight. You must not tolerate overfeeding on your pets because experts said that this can increase the risk of cancer along with some diseases. Moreover, it can put a huge pressure on your pet’s joints and even shorten its lifespan. Learn to properly monitor the weight of your pets along with the help of your vet.
Physical Activity
Being old doesn’t mean that your pets don’t have the ability to perform physical activities anymore. You can still count mild activities such as short walks, or a simple playtime as a good exercise for senior pets. A multitude of studies already prove the great role of physical activity to a healthy weight and heart, so don’t miss such activities in taking care of your pets where it can also slow down joint degeneration. Don’t make your older pets exert a great amount of energy, so when they seem tired, stop the activity right away. South Bellmore Veterinary Group wanted to highlight the importance of the mental health of your pets as well so don’t forget to include mental exercise on their to-do list.
Oral Health
Older pets need attention on their dental hygiene as well. Make sure that your vet is doing professional cleaning to your loved pets so that they won’t have gum disease, infection and other related diseases. In-home brushing is also advised between cleanings.
Safe and comfortable
These are two essential things that you should provide on your older pets. Put away objects that can be harmful on the path of your pets, and protect them whenever you leave home through baby gates. Organize their basic needs downstairs so that they won’t have trouble climbing the stairs, especially if your pet has arthritis. Install stepstools or pet ramps to offer more convenience to your pets. Litter boxes should also be close to them and make their sleeping place soft with many blankets or put a heated pet bed.
Showing care and love
Humans and animals both need to feel love and care from the people around them. Show your pets you love them through a good belly rub or a gentle massage. Learn to properly groom your pets as well and make it as your bonding time with them. South Bellmore Veterinary Group also sees it effective to give them big hugs often and spend quality time together.
South Bellmore Veterinary Group: Improving the Quality of Life for your Pet
Owning a pet is similar to having a child, you are responsible for their health and well-being. Whether you own a traditional pet or an exotic one, there are specific needs you must meet in order for them to live a quality life. Below are some essentials of effective pet care guided by the finest vet team in Long Island, South Bellmore Veterinary Group.
Living conditions and environment
Pets need a shelter. They need a safe and comfortable place to feel protected and secured. Traditional pets like dogs spend a lot of time outdoor so make sure that they have a shelter that offers safety and protection from outside dangers. There are certain pets, especially exotic ones which need a special living condition in order to live, the lighting, temperature and humidity are common factors for them to survive and live conveniently.
Daily exercise
Exercising helps to keep your pet healthy and fit. Similar to humans, exercising clearly shows physical and mental benefits resulting in an improve quality of life, reduced susceptibility to illness and increase life span. The right exercise varies depending on what pet you owned. Traditional pets can go for a walk or play throwing a ball and playing fetch.
Food and nutrition
It is important to feed your pet a quality diet that is appropriate for their age and in proper portion sizes only to prevent overweight. Obesity is the most common problem in pets, it is necessary that you provide the right amount of nutrition your pet needs to perform daily activities. Ask your vet if you need advice.
Help of professionals
We, as pet parents want our pet to live a long life, but for that to happen we must not ignore minor health problems our pet has. Assuming that simple health problems will resolve and heal itself is a mistake that most pet owners do. Don’t wait until it’s too late, bring your pet to a vet for immediate treatment and prevention of early signs of a disease.
In addition, vaccinations, dental cleaning and regular check-ups are necessary to prevent the manifestation of common infections and diseases in pets.
Bonding time
Make time together, pets crave for attention and touch too. Bonding time provides an opportunity for you and your pet to create a mutual connection and a strong bond of affection. The more you give love and affection, the more you receive from them.
Looking for a quality veterinarian in Long Island? Bring your pet to South Bellmore Veterinary Group. Contact them online by visiting their website and to know more about the services they can offer to give your pet the finest pet care he deserved.
South Bellmore Veterinary Group: Pet Care Tips
Before buying or adopting a pet, keep in mind that their lives depend on the way you treat and care for them. You have the commitment to look after them for the rest of their lives. South Bellmore Veterinary Group created a list of things that will help you in taking good care of your pet.
- It is important to feed your pet good food in responsible portions only. Never serve table scraps as this are the quickest route to weight problems. These table scraps sometimes contain contents that can be harmful to your pet’s health. So make sure that their diet is proper and contains protein, fats, minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates your pet needs to stay healthy, happy and active all the time.
- Did you know that human medicines are harmful to your pet once ingested? To avoid taking a trip to your vet because of an ingested OTC or prescribed medicine, you should start pet-proofing now. Keep in mind that pet poisoning due to human medications can be a serious condition which needs to be treated immediately as this incident can take the life of your pet. Human drugs can cause stomach upset, kidney damage, seizures and cardiac arrest and even death to your pet.
- Ensure that your pet’s environment is safe and clean, pets are prone to getting infections and diseases easily on their environment. Thus, to maintain your pet healthy, provide them a safe environment away from all hazards.
- There are two types of allergies in pets, food allergy and environment allergy. It is important that you are aware of the allergies your pet has, if there’s any, to avoid severe complications and an emergency trip to a vet. Pet manifest their allergies to a variety of skin, digestive and respiratory symptoms. Visit your vet now if you think your pet has allergies.
- Allow your pet to exercise. Just like humans, a pet can get obese too if they don’t have the chance to burn off stored energy. Your pet needs exercise to maintain optimal physical and mental well-being.
- Veterinarians are very important in the life of your pet. Make sure to choose the right vet fit to your pet. They can help you in preventing and treating disease and illness that might corrupt the body of your pet. Bring them for at least one or two wellness visit a year.
The most important thing you should share with your pet is love and attention. Human touch means a lot to them, it makes them feel that you truly care for them and their needs. By giving comforting approach like hugging and patting on the head will make him trust you more and will even cause him to please you more than you could possibly imagine.
