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Archive for March 28th, 2011

Senior Pet Tips: Simple Things You Can Do To Make Your Senior Pets More Comfortable

As our beloved companions get older they begin to slow down and many suffer from the same age-related wear and tear as we humans do. Arthritis, gastric upsets, diminished senses, sensitivity to extreme heat and cold are just a few. Below is a list of tips you can use to make your senior pet more comfortable, happy and healthy.

Feed the best diet

Feeding your pet high quality food not only makes them feel better, but can reduce the chances of illness and disease in the future. Raw food, home-cooked meals or premium commercial food will go a long way in keeping your pet happy and healthy. And don’t forget to add variety to your pets diet. By rotating what you feed you are insuring that your pet gets a more balanced array of vitamins and minerals. Not to mention, how would you like to eat the same thing day after day year after year. Be careful, however to introduce dietary changes gradually to avoid tummy upset and diarrhea. Begin by adding in 1/4 of the new food to what you currently feed for between 5 to 7 days. The second week feed 1/2 new food to 1/2 the current diet and so on until you have made a complete change. Once your pet gets used to more variety they will more easily tolerated dietary changes.

Consider adding supplements

Adding natural vitamins and supplements can also be of great benefit to our pets, especially seniors. My personal “Holy Trinity” is a good Mulit-Vitamin, EFA’s (essential fatty acids) and a Plant Enzyme and Probiotic Supplement (such as Animal Essentials). A good multi-vitamin will ensure your pet receives adequate daily amounts of necessary vitamins and minerals. EFA’s do more than keep skin and coat healthy. EFAs are the building blocks for prostaglandins, which work to regulate hormones, immune and nervous systems and cardiovascular function. People and pet’s bodies cannot make them and so they need to be added to our diet. Enzymes and Probiotics help enhance your pet’s health by promoting the proper balance of good intestinal flora and by supporting the digestive systems that aid in the assimilation and utilization of vitamins and nutrients. Enzymes combine with food and water to aid in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Even if your dog or cat is not displaying signs of arthritis you can help prevent or slow the onset by starting them on a natural supplement designed to promote joint and cartilage health. Look for supplements that contain ingredients such as glucosamine, chrondroitin, MSM, vitamin C, white willow bark (not for cats), boswellin, yucca powder, manganese ascorbate, bromelain, selenium (especially in conjunction with vitamin E), vitamins C, A, and E. In addition, Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils has shown promise in treating arthritis in animals and humans.

Buy an orthopedic pet bed

Beds made out of convoluted foam offer greater support for sore achy joints and muscles. Soft fluffy beds may look and feel appealing to us, but as anyone with back problems will tell you, a nice firm bed is much more comfortable. The same is true with our pets.

Raise your pet’s food and water bowls

Raise your pet’s food and water bowls to provide the height that your dog (or cat) needs for healthy eating and drinking. Raised feeders minimize neck strain and reduce air ingestion making them ideal for senior and large breed pets.

Be aware of diminishing sight and hearing

Don’t drastically rearrange rooms and furniture as your pet has probably learned to navigate his/her environment quite well and sudden changes can lead to fear and confusion. When approaching your older pet make sure they can see or hear you coming. A pet with sight or hearing loss can become very startled by an unexpected touch. Clapping your hands or making some other loud noise can help alert pets of your approach. The vibrations created by walking heavy-footed also work well to alert pets that someone is coming.

Just like people, our pets become more sensitive to extreme heat and cold

Provide pets with a warm place to lie and sleep in the winter, away from drafty windows and doors. Consider buying a heated bed or insert to keep them cozy. In the summer, make sure outdoor areas have plenty of shade and cool fresh water available at all times. Indoors, make sure they have a cool spot away from direct sunlight.

Ramps and special harnesses can make life for seniors much easier and less painful

They can help them climb stairs, get in and out of vehicles, rise from lying down and provide extra support while standing or walking. Cats can greatly benefit from portable stairs that aid them up and down from the bed, couch or other favorite cuddle spot.

Don’t forget about exercise

Your older pet still needs to get out there and be part of the world; drinking in the fresh air and soaking up some sunshine. It’s just as important for them to keep moving as it is for us when we age. Be aware, however that you need to adjust the length and strenuousness of their exercise. Shorter distances and less challenging terrain may be needed. And, definitely be careful in any extreme weather, as older animals cannot tolerate extremes like when they were younger. Also, make sure you always have an ample supply of clean water for you and your pet.

Christine Mandrake is the owner of WellBeings.com, a site that is dedicated to providing information and resources about caring for senior pets.

http://www.wellbeings.com

It is said that a dog is a man’s best friend. And today, with the implementation of animal assisted therapy in hospitals, there is no better example for this saying. Therapists, doctors and mental health professionals are making use of dogs to help in the recovery of patients in one way or another.

Usually, the brain injury patients, senior citizens, those who are physically impaired, and patients in hospitals and treatment centers are the ones who benefit the most from animal assisted therapy. With this kind of therapy, both the patient and dog will experience loyalty, love and joy together, and they will develop a bond that is quite extraordinary.

Dogs are used in different settings in different countries

In some countries, dogs are used to help in fine motor control where patients are advised to move their arms and fingers so that they can pet and brush the dogs. This will help patients develop their sense of touch as part of the therapy process. Another form of therapy is the large muscle therapy where patients take the dogs for a walk or an outing in a park or recreational area.

Basically, there is no scientific evidence that support the fact that dog therapy actually works on patients. The only reasoning provided by therapists is that the unconditional love that the dog displays towards patients will help them gain self confidence. It is this self-confidence that helps them recover from whatever health problems they may be suffering from.

There is another logical reason for the success of dog therapy. Caring for the dogs and spending quality time with them will remind patients of their childhood or other positive moments of their life when they were hearty and enjoying life to the maximum. By reminiscing on the good times they had, patients will develop a renewed interest in life, and they will have a new reason to get well and carry on with their lives.

Whatever the reason, or even if there is no particular reason for the use of dogs in therapy, the main point is that dog therapy is effective in treating patients.

The elderly see a friend in a dog

Besides helping in muscle coordination, dogs are also used as companions for many patients. Usually, the elderly and isolated patients are the ones who will find great comfort and consolation in the company of therapy dogs. Having a dog as a companion gives them the opportunity to interact with another living thing, and this will certainly add some meaning to their lives.

Dogs make good companions because they are not judgmental and they are always happy to see the patients. This creates a positive feeling in the patients to help them improve both emotionally and socially. This is not always achieved with the visit of a nurse or a therapist.

Any dog of any age can help patients

There is no specific breed, age or size requirement for therapy dogs. Usually, medium to large sized dogs are used as therapy dogs. However, some small dogs can be excellent therapy dogs as well.

Some hospitals have their own therapy dogs, while others depend on volunteer dog owners who are willing to offer their dogs for therapy purposes. Usually, the dog owners will bring their dogs to the hospitals whenever health care professionals and trained therapists require their assistance.

In order that a dog can be an effective therapy dog, it has to be calm and well behaved, without any history of aggression or disobedience. It should be well socialized and not prone to barking and whining as this will only disturb the patients.

Therapists require that the dogs undergo special obedience training before they start working with patients and clients. In fact, special insurance on therapy dogs are also available as protection against possible accidents.