Dietary Needs & Vaccinations

There are several reasons why a special diet may be needed for an elderly pet. He or she may be less active than a younger animal, and therefore may require fewer calories. The digestive organs may become less efficient in digestion and absorption, and a highly digestible diet may need to be fed. Phosphorus and protein content may need to be decreased if your pet has kidney problems.  

MINERAL AND VITAMIN REQUIREMENTS
Under certain circumstances the vitamin and mineral needs of elderly pets may be different from those of younger animals. Some of the special senior diets have mineral and vitamin content carefully adjusted to help provide the appropriate balance for elderly pets that have failing kidney or heart function.  

WEIGHT
Extra body weight can cause or worsen many health problems. Older less active pets often gain too much weight and should be fed a calorie-controlled diet. Some older pets just need more exercise. Pets that are too thin may have underlying medical problems. Maintaining proper weight is important for the medical well being of your senior pet. If your pet is too lean or too heavy, make an appointment to see your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may perform tests to determine if an underlying condition is causing your pet’s weight problem.

REDUCED APPETITES
Elderly pets sometimes have poor appetites and may need to be tempted to eat. The following tips may be helpful in enticing your pet to eat:

  • Feed small frequent meals, dividing the daily food allowance into two to four small meals. Warm the food gently, to just below body temperature. Leave the food down for about 10 – 15 minutes and then remove it.
  • Your pet is more likely to eat fresh food.
  • Make sure your pet has a quiet, undisturbed place to eat his meals.

IMMUNIZATIONS
Regular booster vaccinations are still advised in older pets. It is thought that the immune system deteriorates with age, therefore increasing the your pet’s vulnerability to infections. Booster vaccinations stimulate the immune system and help your pet fight specific diseases.