You will find there’s shifting cultural change in how people see their pets – they’re not just a pet, but family members. We love them so much that their presence within our lives improves our mood and our relationships with others, as well as promoting a number of physical benefits. Our relationship with our pets makes them feel good too! They look to all of us not simply for food and shelter, but love and support as well.
The older they get, of course, they need more support from us. Elderly pets have a greater risk of arthritis and joint problems, weakness, heart related illnesses, kidney disease, senility and dental issues, so they need extra assistance around the house as their bodies change. Just as elderly humans benefit from simple home modifications that offset the difficulties of aging, so do our furry family members.
Tailor Your house for an Older Pet
Since cats and dogs are quite possibly the most commonly owned pets in the United States, they are the pets we’re concentrating on in this post.
How Old is ‘Old’?
You most likely are wondering how you know when your pet is old enough to require additional care. It is not uncommon not to know the exact age of your cat or dog, particularly if you adopted them. Generally, a cat or dog is regarded as elderly when they reach six or seven years old. For dogs, however, size factors into age because larger dogs have shorter life spans. For example, a dog weighing between one and 50 pounds is the human equivalent of about 45 years old at seven years, whereas a dog weighing above 50 pounds is the human equal to about 55 years old at seven years. Cats tend to have longer lifespans than dogs, so depending on weight and breed, some cats may not be considered elderly until they reach 10 or 11 years of age.
For those who have no idea how old your four-legged friend is, it may be beneficial to visit your veterinarian and have them examine your pet’s teeth to provide you with an approximate estimate on their age. Indications of aging to look for in dogs include:
graying hair around the muzzle and eyes
less energy
lower caloric requirements from food
calluses on their elbows
brittle nails
thickened paw pads
dental issues
bladder control problems
prostate enlargement
symptoms of cognitive dysfunction
A lot of the indications of aging in cats look similar to those of dogs, but cats require more calories as they age rather than fewer, their vision problems are worse than those of aging dogs, and they deal with stress more poorly than aging dogs. If you’re unaware of your animal’s age and have not yet asked your veterinarian, keep an eye out for these external indications of aging.
Height and Mobility
As your pet ages, it may be more challenging for them to lower their neck to eat food or drink water. You may purchase a new raised platform, however it is simpler to use something in the house, say for example a shoebox, to elevate the food and water bowls your animal already uses. It is also a good idea to provide several locations with access to fresh, clean water due to your pet’s decreased mobility, increased dehydration and increased risk of kidney dysfunction. Food bowls for cats should be placed away from cat flaps, glass windows that reach the floor, as well as their litter boxes. They need to also be placed in a location where your cat can approach from any direction and not be forced to have their back exposed to other animals in the household.
For older cats, arthritis and shrinking kidneys contribute to issues utilizing their litter boxes. They may not be capable of getting in and out of their litter box or they may not be able to squat down to relieve themselves, instead spraying on and over the sides of the box. You can find litter boxes on the market with lower openings designed for older cats, however you might also use a storage bin with an entry way cut out in the front. This way, the sides of the box are going to be higher and better prevent accidents. If you have multiple cats in your household, you ought to have one litter box for every cat, along with an extra. They should be spread out, as cats are territorial and might attempt to prevent their housemates from having access to litter boxes.
Arthritis is a common condition in dogs as well. In fact, over 60 % of dogs older than seven are suffering from arthritis. Arthritis, along with other joint issues, can cause your canine pain, limping and difficulty getting up or climbing stairs. An easy home modification make it possible for easier mobility for your companion is to buy or build a ramp or shallow stairs. A ramp or stairs allows your animal exactly the same freedom and access to couches, beds and cars that they had in their youth. Cats particularly love to sit in windowsills and look outdoors. A ramp to their favorite lookout spot would be an outstanding idea.
Keep the weight in mind when buying or constructing this modification, as you may have to move it around for your animal. You can make a ramp out of plywood if it is a more permanent fixture, but if you are seeking portability, try crafting this one out of Styrofoam.
A fairly easy modification you can also make to your stairs, if you have some in your house, would be to install anti-slip treads made from carpet or rubber. If your dog can no longer make it up the stairs at all, place their dog bed in a very warm spot downstairs to ensure that they have no need to be anywhere other than the first floor of your home. Placing a bed downstairs can be an easy modification for felines who are unable to climb the stairs.
Adjusting for Behavioral Changes
Urinary incontinence is when your pet cannot control a flow of urine from being released. It takes place in both elderly cats and dogs, albeit for different physiological reasons. Incontinence can produce a great deal of mess and odor, but there are several home modifications to circumvent the worst of it.
If you have the financial capacity to alter the flooring of your home, try installing ceramic tile or carpet tiles suitable for pet incontinence. Avoid both carpet, since it is harder to clean deeply, and natural stone tile as it stains easily. If you are unable to alter your flooring or already have hard flooring that is easy to clean, purchase non-slip rugs, carpet runners, or perhaps yoga mats for better traction for your pet. Try to find materials that are easy to wash and do not absorb stains and odors quickly.
Another home modification for urinary incontinence can be a doggy door or dog flap. These may supply the freedom for your canine to urinate outside when they need. It is advisable to install the door in a low area to provide ease of access for any mobility issues. Some dog flaps have magnets to adhere the flap to the door, but the magnets can make it more difficult for your elderly animal to push the door open. You also have a choice of a magnetic door that operates in tandem with your pet’s collar. Whenever they go to enter or exit your home, the door senses their presence and opens automatically for them.
As we’ve already learned, elderly animals experience arthritis and joint pain. Aging in your pets also causes nerve degeneration, muscle weakness and cognitive decline, which all contribute to the inability to move about as efficiently as younger animals. We have already discussed the need for ramps or special stairs, however your pet might also need special bedding. In the event your dog displays any of the behavioral signs of joint problems, an orthopedic bed is specifically designed for their needs. Orthopedic beds often offer special features which work in conjunction with your dog’s other physical needs, including being made of memory foam as well as liquid and stain-resistant fabric. Smaller dogs should sleep in a bed relative to their size because they get cold more easily and could feel insecure in a larger bed. For those who have a dog flap installed, place the dog bed near the door for easy access to the bathroom.
If your pet is an older cat, place their bed within the vicinity of their litter box, but not too close to it. Place their ramp near their preferred sleeping spot so that they have easy access – they will likely still want to sleep in a high corner if that’s where they’re used to turning in each night. Cats also enjoy cave-style beds just like their ancestors. If it is harder for your feline to reach their favorite slumber spot, consider making a cocoon-like bed in a corner under a table in a spot that’s difficult for other cats to reach them.
Physiological Health
Older animals have more difficulty regulating their body temperature, therefore they are more sensitive to temperature changes and temperature that varies significantly from their own body temperature. Set your thermostat between 78 and 80 degrees and pay attention to your animal’s specific behavior. Should they hang out by a fan or the heater, they could require an adjustment outside of the 78- to 80-degree range.
Both cats and dogs have slightly higher resting body temperatures than humans, so when it is colder outside ensure that there is a blanket in their bed and an area to sleep in the sunlight during the day. Also be sure to dress your dog in booties along with a sweater when taking them outside to potty, because extreme changes in temperature increase risk of illness.
Mental Health
Additionally, there are some simple home modifications you can make to improve your animal’s mental health.
Elderly pets have a reduced capacity to handle stress and therefore are more prone to feel anxiety as a result of change along with other stressful situations. This can be due to their bodies’ decreased production of adrenal hormones or the degree of other medical issues they may have because of their age.
There are several key ways of identifying signs and symptoms of anxiety with your dog:
increased panting
trembling
sleep issues or restlessness
loss of appetite
separation anxiety, even when you’re at home with them
loss of bladder control (which is more severe than bladder incontinence)
disinterest or lethargy
significant barking or whining when left alone
Dogs are creatures of habit, so keeping their routine consistent should help mitigate anxiety. This goes for cats as well. As cats age, anxiety may be caused by disorientation and confusion, so a regular daily routine and consistent placement of your cat’s litter box, bed, and food is important.
Increased sensitivity to sound is stressful for older animals too. Keep a white noise machine or background music playing in your house to avoid this source of stress. Breaking up their day with exercise and play can also be essential for keeping your pet mentally healthy. Have a play corner in your house where you keep all of your cat or dog’s toys and make sure to regularly connect with them here. Regular play time in old age will keep your pet physically stimulated as well as mentally, fighting against anxiety and cognitive decline.
Finally, you’ll want to have a space in your home where pet sitters can stay so that if you need to leave your canine companion for an extended amount of time, they can remain in their home where they feel most comfortable.
Improved Quality of Life
These home modifications are not only home modifications to your pet. They can enhance your animal companion’s entire quality of life while increasing their lifespan. It is important to pay close attention to your pet’s behavior to detect signs of aging early on in order to ease their transition into a slower way of living. As pet owners, we are the center of our pet’s lives, and because they see us as their parents, we are the closest relationship bond they are going to have. Even though they are only one part of our lives, they improve our relationships with others, stress levels and mood, as well as our cholesterol and triglyceride levels – and they also deserve to live out their lives with security, comfort and love.
If we left anything out, we would love to hear from you. Simply click here to leave us your thoughts or comments