2020-04-01 Reader\'s Digest AUNZ

Caring for Senior

Dogs and Cats

Thoughtfulchangescanimprovethequalityoflife

PETS

INMUCHTHESAMEWAYthelifespanofhumansis

increasing,ourdogsandcatsarealsolivinglonger,

largelyduetoimprovednutritionandhealthcare.

Catsanddogsaregenerallyconsideredtobeseniors

fromaroundeightyearsofage.Largeandgiant

breedsofdogsareconsideredseniorata youngerage,

generallyfromfivetosevenyears.Recognisingyour

petisa senioristhefirststeptomanagingtheirhealth

andcomfort.VeterinarianDrKatrinaWarrenshares

herexperttipsonhowtobestcareforolderpets.

DIETSeniorsneeda balanceddietthatislowerin

kilojoules,proteinandfatbuthigherinfibre.Dry

kibblecansometimesbetoohardforolderpets

tochew.Ifyourpetishavingdifficulties,consider

switchingtoa softerfood,wettingkibblewithwateror

brothorperhapscookinga homemadediet.Besureto

discussyourageingpet’sdietaryneedswithyourvet.

EXERCISEANDWEIGHTIt’simportantfordogs

toremainactiveandundertakegentleexercisein

keepingwiththeirhealthandability.Yourfour-legged

buddythatonceenjoyedanenergeticoutingmightbe

happierwithshortandslowerstrolls.It’snotunusual

fordogsandcatstogainorloseweightastheyage.

BYDrKatrinaWarren

Ourregularpet
columnist,
DrKatrinaWarren,
isanestablished
andtrustedanimal
expert.

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18 april 2020

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