Mary Gardner, DVM, advocates for individual care for senior pets versus the cookbook approach too often adopted by medical professionals. These factors provide context for each pet’s story: its ailments, its personality, and the pet owner’s four budgets: financial, physical, time and emotional. Source: AAHA Trends, November 2022. Link. Also see: Search Results for: Mary … [Read more...]
Search Results for: senior pets
Enrichment ideas for senior pets
Enrichment doesn’t end because cats and dogs get old. Steve Dale shares the necessity of helping pets as they age and some ideas for pet owners to improve their senior pets’ last years. There’s increasing evidence that stimulation resulting from an enriched environment may delay or even prevent onset on canine or feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome, the pet version of … [Read more...]
Tips on marketing to owners of senior pets
Veterinarians should be seeing many more patients in their advanced-age life stage than ever, writes Mary Gardner, DVM, citing metrics that show 44 percent of practice patients are seniors. She shares tips on communicating with owners of senior pets similar to how puppy and early stage education is done. Source: AAHA Trends, February 2023. Link. We can do so much to manage … [Read more...]
Geriatric pets have different needs than senior pets
Dogs older than 10 years and cats older than 14 years are considered geriatric, not senior, according to Mary Gardner, DVM. Geriatric pets do not have the same issues as senior pets and need to be treated differently. Educating clients and providing useful tips helps the pet and family members, who usually are frustrated and scared of what lies ahead. Source: Veterinary Team … [Read more...]
House soiling in senior pets
It is easy to assign “my pet’s showing his age” to soiling by a senior pet. But there are reasons beyond a break-down in the animal’s training. Adam Rudinsky, DVM, MS, DACVIM, reviews the top five reasons for fecal house soiling in senior pets: Behavioral disorders Colorectal and anorectal diseases Osteoarthritis Structural disease Neurological … [Read more...]
Age-specific products for senior companion animals
Commercial Content included Animal health pros will want to understand what is being presented to pet owners and retailers to evaluate and address aging pets. Glenn Polyn shares an analysis of the most common health issues facing elderly pets and an overview of products. . . . it is not unusual for a pet retailer to take on the responsibility of offering guidance to pet … [Read more...]
AAHA releases new 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for dogs and cats
Noting 44 percent of the pet population is senior dogs and cats, the new senior care guidelines offer actionable strategies for adoption by veterinary teams. These can create senior-friendly environments that welcome senior pets, including modification of physical environments, prioritizing care to keep families together and taking different approaches to healthy and unhealthy … [Read more...]
Campaign seeks to make November senior pet month
Senior Pet Advocates is recognizing November as Senior Pet Health Month. The group believes it is important to emphasize senior pets require additional care, such as more frequent examinations and diagnostics. Plus, their owners may need nutritional and behavioral counseling. Source: AVMA, October 18, 2022. Link. Senior Pet Advocates plans on growing support for the … [Read more...]
Top 10 tips for caring for senior dogs or cats
Complimentary Commercial Content November is when we celebrate National Senior Pet Month. . . . once a pet becomes a senior, every day is senior care day.” Keeping a senior pet happy is all about paying attention, shares Katherine Carbanaro. As dogs’ or cats’ needs change with age, owners need to learn about accommodating them and adjusting routines when needed. Among the … [Read more...]
Feed pets for optimal dental health
One of the most important ways to improve dental health is to feed dogs and cats the correct diet writes Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT. She reviews the effects diets have on dental health and addressing some erroneous beliefs. Contrary to popular belief, the consumption of dry food does not provide enough mechanical abrasion to prevent the development of plaque and dental … [Read more...]
Brrrrr! How cold is too cold for pets?
Some people think that because pets have fur coats they can stand freezing temperatures better than humans. But, pets are just as susceptible to hypothermia and other cold injuries as humans. Here are resources that can be used on social media and in newsletters. Pet owner reminder example: Do not let your pet stay outside for an extended period of time and make sure to … [Read more...]
Top 10 tips for senior cats
November is Adopt a Senior Pet month. To honor senior cats, the American Association of Feline Practitioners provided tips to set up aging cats for success and build the special bonds between them and their owners. The list is a great resource to share in social media posts, newsletters or targeted communications. Source: Cat Friendly Homes. Link. Also see: Tips for … [Read more...]
Senior pet diets warrant serious conversations
While every dog or cat that enters a veterinary or retail facility needs a pet diet, animal health pros may shy away from a discussion of individual pet diet needs. Especially true as pets age, nutritional recommendations are important at all stages of pets’ lives, but they’re critical as pets age. Animal owners are bombarded with marketing messages about pet diets. They need … [Read more...]
May is National Arthritis Month; remember pets, too
May is recognized annually as National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, making it the number-one cause of disability in the country. Osteoarthritis is a very common problem in small animals, as well. It has been estimated that around 20 percent of dogs and 40 percent of cats will be affected by osteoarthritis at some point in their … [Read more...]
Opinion – Pets becoming part of long-term eldercare
A Google search produces dozens of visiting pet organizations that provide pet therapy visits to elder care facilities. The results are positive and the organizations require visiting pets to be trained for such activities. Ramona Marek reviews a growing trend of allowing seniors to bring their pet from home when they enter a care facility. I’m supportive of fur, feathers … [Read more...]
Free Partners for Healthy Pets program re-engages inactive clients
There’s good news about a free program offered by Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP). PHP’s inactive client reminder program has proven effective in getting inactive clients back to the veterinarian’s office, where pets can get the health care they deserve. Source: AVMA, January 4, 2019. Link. Within six months of sending a reminder message, the 1,612 practices that used the … [Read more...]
Seniors offer insight into social media use
Senior citizens have internet power. Sixty seven percent of them in the U.S. use the internet today, according to the Pew Research Center. Sheree Johnson, CEO of SJ Insights, a marketing services firm, teaches Introduction to Social Media at a Kansas City area college. In general, the students are 70 or more years old. To better understand seniors’ usage, Johnson set up a panel … [Read more...]
Oral health matters to pets’ quality of life (video)
In this Spark video, dental experts share perspectives and benefits of a focused dental care strategy for veterinary hospitals, animal owners and pets. There is consensus that oral health affects pets differently and why veterinary dentists believe radiographs are critical in dental treatment. Source: NAVC Spark, February 16, 2018. Oral health disease is probably the most … [Read more...]
Enrich the lives of older pets. Don’t ignore them.
The cold that has enveloped most of the U.S. lately has no doubt exacerbated some aging symptoms in older pets. Older animals may suffer from osteoarthritis or neurologic conditions that limit physical activity. Beyond physical activities, cognitive issues increase, sensory capabilities decline and anxiety may follow as older pets often become ignored. Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month
Older pets are just as loving and loyal as their younger counterparts. Plus, adopting a senior animal companion comes with some cool advantages: Grown-up pets don’t require the constant monitoring and training that puppies and kittens do. Many are already housetrained. Since senior pets are fully grown, you’ll be immediately aware of important information like … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 9, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the November 9th AHD Bulletin – Age-specific products for senior companion animals. Link. Better cat visits. Carriers and caregivers are the key. Link. The value of teamwork. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
What is written on a dog’s face?
Boarding and daycare personnel often spend as much or more time with pets than their owners. These persons focus on animal-to-animal interactions and behaviors routinely. However, but it is also important that we understand how dogs communicate with people. Linked below is a research paper that evaluates the impact of facial phenotypes on communication between humans and … [Read more...]
How old is too old for dentals?
It is important to recognize that oral and dental disease often increases in incidence in older pets. Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, asserts since resolving these issues can improve the patients’ overall quality of life, managing the anesthetic risks of these patients, and concerns of their owners is critical. Seldom will a pet be too old to benefit from optimal care.” Source: … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 07, 2022
Pet spending at the veterinary clinic, growth in death care business for pets, David Frei shares concerns for pandemic puppies, pet care industry’s role in senior care, keeping employees happy, tips for small business finance in 2023 and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 07, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Quality of life exams
“Quality of life exams should be approached as an open, objective conversation,” says Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. “Client owners need to be prepared to answer questions and not anticipate being judged. . . there is no right or wrong outcome, no good or bad news . . . there’s just what comes out of the conversation.” When a pet owner finds themselves being … [Read more...]
Golden Zoomies webinar: Pain management, grief and pet loss
The Golden Retriever Lifetime study has now spanned 10 years and some canine participants are reaching their senior years. The latest Golden Zoomies webinar features a panel of speakers who shared their insights on pain management, grief and pet loss. Source: Morris Animal Foundation, YouTube, August 31, 2022. Link. Panel members include: Robin Downing and Dr. Sheilah … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club: Handling nutrition objections (videos)
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jodi Davis, senior manager of university relations for Royal Canin, addresses the emotional nature of nutrition for pets, especially centered around obesity and how to address issues with owners. The virtual event is presented in three YouTube videos. Nutrition questions top the list of veterinary students and are part of everyday … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 14, 2022
Digital transformation in vet services, trending products for senior pets, e-commerce’s next level, eco-friendly products and practices now table stakes in pet industry and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 14, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 27, 2022
Last week’s most read post 5 scary consequences of neglecting pets’ oral care. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 20, 2022. Link. =========================== Old or elderly? What’s the difference? Source: For Seniors Magazine, March 20, 2021. Link. The terms “old” and “elderly” are often used interchangeably, but … [Read more...]
Petco to expand PupBoxes, include private label products
Opinion PupBox, a monthly subscription service for dogs, will expand to offer boxes across four life stages: puppy, young pup, grown pup and senior pup. The boxes each contain five to seven hand-picked items items designed for a dog's specific needs at each stage of life. This expansion follows the one of Petco’s mental health pet programs, which also feature the … [Read more...]