People say to me all the time ‘it must be hard to be a vet because animals can’t tell you what’s wrong’. I always reply that they speak loud and clear if you know what to listen for. This is no more true than with our ageing pets, although geriatric care is often the most neglected stage of life. It’s sometimes difficult to read the subtle changes in your beloved friend when you live with them day in and day out. Here are some clues to watch out for and what you can do to help.

Firstly, nutrition is key at any life stage but in old age your animal’s requirements change. They are usually less active and so can eat less food daily to maintain the same weight. The nutrient content of the food must be adequate to support their ageing systems, despite them eating less. If you notice your pet leaving his food, or eating slowly, these may be signs that something is wrong. Obesity becomes a real problem for our older animals, as it increases the amount of wear and tear on the body. Monitor your pets’ weight regularly and make changes to their diet when required.

Another useful sign is the amount of water your furry friend drinks. It is good to become accustomed to how much your pet normally drinks so that you can detect changes when they happen. This is very useful information when you speak to your vet that will help them to decide what the problem is.

Caring for your animal’s teeth is critical in older age, when dental issues are more likely to surface. Smell your pets breath to see if there are changes in odour, and examine the teeth for tartar build up or gum disease. If you are unsure, ask your vet to check for you.

Listen out for coughing or wheezing when he breaths, particularly after exercise. Can he still make it up that big hill? Is he keen to go for a walk when you pick up his leash? These are all signs that he may need some additional medicinal help or a lifestyle change.

With cats is can be more difficult as even a healthy cat will lounge around for hours on end. Watch as your feline friend grooms herself. Is she still able to reach every part of her body, or does she leave areas like the base of her tail? Has she developed a lot of scurf in her coat, or has her coat lost its shine? These may be signs that she is becoming arthritic. You can also monitor her ability to jump up to, or down from, higher perches or counters.

Nails can be a problem to older animals too. They tend to wear down more slowly as your pet ages as they are moving more slowly. Having their nails trimmed regularly can really help an older animal’s mobility. I have seen many an old cat with nails growing painfully into the soft tissue of the pad because no one has noticed her nails were getting long.

Lameness is an obvious sign which is often overlooked by owners. I hear the comment, ‘Oh he’s just a bit stiff’. Well he doesn’t need to be with the modern pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals available. Your vet will be able to guide you onto a combination of medicine and lifestyle change that could revolutionise your older pal’s quality of life.

So as your old pal approaches his golden years watch out for signs that he may need some help and speak to your vet to prevent any undue discomfort. For more information on this or any other veterinary topic please contact Dr Lucy at cedartreevets@gmail.com or visit her website at www.cedartreevets.com.