As our beloved pets age, they require extra care and attention to ensure their wellbeing and comfort. Recognizing signs of pain in aging pets is crucial for maintaining their quality of life. This blog aims to educate pet owners on identifying these signs and providing appropriate care for their aging companions.
Understanding Pain in Aging Pets
Aging pets often experience common ailments such as arthritis, dental issues, cancer, and degenerative joint disease. These conditions can significantly impact their quality of life. Despite their pain, aging pets may hide their discomfort, making it challenging for pet owners to recognize their needs.
Signs and Symptoms of Pain in Aging Pets
There are both physical and behavioral signs of pain in aging pets. Physical signs include limping or difficulty moving, changes in appetite, weight loss or gain, and decreased grooming habits. Behavioral signs may manifest as increased irritability or aggression, restlessness or pacing, changes in sleep patterns, and avoiding interaction or touch.
Dogs and cats exhibit different signs of pain. Dogs may show breed predispositions to certain ailments and display specific behavioral cues. Cats, on the other hand, present unique challenges in recognizing pain, often exhibiting subtle signs that require careful observation.
Common Aging Dog Health Concerns
Your dog is likely an enthusiastic, joyous fountain of energy, but it’s important to note that you know your dog better than they know themselves. Aging dogs can be prone to self-imposed injury by ignoring their own symptoms. Here are a few things to look out for
Arthritis
Arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage in your joints. This health problem may sound familiar, perhaps an older family member suffers from this. Your dogs are not immune to this painful complication. By keeping an eye out for limping or slower general movement, you can head this off early on. The stiffer, slower movement from your dog may also be accompanied by difficulty sitting, lying down, or standing, and your dog may be exhibiting signs of pain as well.
If these symptoms are present, take your pet to the vet for closer examination. The vets will be able to take a closer look with xrays and specialized tests. They’ll also be able to prescribe treatments to get your furry friend back on their feet.
Obesity
As your dog begins to slow down, make sure their diet matches their energy levels. You may want to spoil your good boy for as long as you possibly can, but be sure to do so in moderation. Obesity in an aging pet can be a compounding factor in many otherwise easily managed health concerns.
For example, arthritis in dogs can be managed more easily if your pet isn’t working against their own body. Obesity may also lead to tricky cardio-vascular complications and sores they may not have accumulated had their weight been managed proactively.
Common Aging Cat Health Concerns
Cats are biologically quite different from dogs, obviously. They haven’t taken the same evolutionary path to domestication, and thus may be less easy to read than a highly-expressive dog. This doesn’t mean your cat has nothing to say, understanding your feline friend may take a bit more attentiveness, but with a keen eye, their subtle signs will speak volumes.
Changing Temperament
Your cat’s personality is likely your favorite part of hanging out with your fluffy predator, and luckily, their temperament and daily habits will show you the most about their health.
Increased water intake and frequent urination
We’re sure you’re not exactly counting the number of trips they take to the restroom throughout the day, but if you start to notice the sounds of litter more frequently, or that water bowl simply won’t stay filled, your cat may be battling their kidneys. After about 10 years-old, your cat’s kidneys should be regularly checked on by their vet.
If your cat is suddenly missing or avoiding the liter box altogether, while drastically taking in more food and water or suddenly losing weight you may be working with diabetes in some form.
Confusion
Cats tend to be clever and attentive, of course your milage may vary (we’re looking at you, orange cats), but if they start to seem confused or alarmed more frequently, that could be a sign that dementia is creeping in.
Cats will often display confusion by growling or hissing at nothing in particular, they may also start disengaging entirely and opting to sleep a concerning amount. They may also suddenly become clingy, preferring their familiar friend to their suddenly disorienting surroundings.
Steps to Help Aging Pets Manage Pain
Pet owners can take proactive steps to help their aging pets manage pain. This includes regular veterinary care and check-ups, implementing pain management strategies such as medications, supplements, and physical therapy, and making lifestyle modifications like appropriate exercise routines and creating a comfortable living environment.
When to Seek Veterinary Attention
Early intervention is essential in addressing pain in aging pets. Pet owners should be aware of red flags indicating the need for immediate veterinary care and consult with a veterinarian for personalized advice on managing their pet’s pain.
Recognizing pain in aging pets is vital for ensuring their comfort and happiness in their later years. By understanding the signs and symptoms of pain, pet owners can advocate for their companions’ wellbeing and provide the care and support they need to live fulfilling lives. Additionally, managing your aging pet’s pain is quite simple if you take a proactive approach. The first step, of course, is research. Watching for the signs of early pain and addressing it as quickly as you possibly can will lead to healthier outcomes in the long run, meaning less expensive visits, and less emotionally fraught times with your pets.
