A pet is a part of ones’ family and having a pet for a considerable amount of time is an enriching experience. But it can be very traumatic for the owner when his or her pet becomes old. This is the time when your pet needs most attention and needs to be taken care — to make sure that he or she is healthy and happy. Senior pets become less active and are prone to illness.
Vet Pavan Kumar says that owners should watch out for signs of ageing in their pets. “It is very important to know the age of the dog, cat or hamster if one is getting them from a breeder or a pet shop.” It is important to keep them happy in their last days, especially if they are sick. “Dogs shouldn’t be taken on long walks. It’s better to take them for short walks. Also, after each walk, the owner should give them little treats,” says vet Pavan Kumar.
Ashwin S. says that his pet hamster didn’t show any drastic signs of ageing. But he had to spend time taking extra care of it in its third year. “Hamsters and guinea pigs don’t live for very long. A hamsters’ life span is about three years. The signs are very subtle. My hamster started biting less and just became less active. But it was important to give him more attention.”
Since smaller animals like hamsters and guinea pigs are predominantly individual animals, they don’t need much attention like a dog. However, even they need special care. “Older animals have trouble cleaning themselves. I had to make sure that my guinea pig’s cage was cleaned everyday once he became old. I also had to change his diet. I couldn't let smaller and younger animals play with him because they could have hurt him,” says Karan.
What your pet eats during its old age plays a vital role. Vet Prakash says that maintaining a healthy diet is very important. Avoid feeding your pet rich food, as its liver may get affected. A trip to the vet every six months is also a must. “Every senior dog should get de-wormed once in six months. Their ears must be cleaned regularly,” advices the vet.
As your pet has reached its senior age, make sure he does so gracefully! Proper nutrition, comfortable bedding, exercise and huge doses of love — it sure does make them feel special.