“If when you look at me, you only see a white face and cloudy eyes, a burden or a hassle…you’ve missed out on the best part of me…Love me until the very end, for I am a gift. With each wag of my tail, I say thank you.”– Bacardi Reynolds
And God said I will send them without wings so no one suspects they are an angel! How true it is of our beloved pets who give us unconditional love, loyalty and happiness throughout their lives. We may have rescued or adopted them, but the reality is, that they have saved us in more ways than one! For all the devotion and adoration they spend their lives giving us, it is only fit that we return it in their senior years by offering them the best possible care.
Looking back on the time with our pet, it seems like life happened too quickly - one day we’re adopting a young pet, full of energy and beans and before we know it, they have grown older and slower. While in our eyes, they will always be the young puppy or kitten who stole our hearts years ago, the difficult reality is different - they have aged.
Aging is part of life’s inevitable cycle so if your beloved companion animal is slowing down, there are small adjustments around the house that can be made to continue giving them a quality life. Being a caregiver for an elderly dog or cat requires slight adjustments to not just their lifestyle, but ours as well - we have to slow down to match them step by step.
As our pets age in years, along with slowing down, their body slows down too – their eyes get cloudy, some even lose their vision and their hearing gets affected. Due to a more sedentary life, they tend to sleep more, and they can put on weight which may hamper walking or climbing stairs. Additionally, they may also develop digestive issues which may hamper their well-being. You will need to observe them to understand where specifically the modifications can be made - from their movements, where they sleep, the activities and the spaces they use around your home.
Making Home A Safe Space
Some of the safety alterations made around your home can include
- Use nonslip carpets or runners on the floors, around your pet’s bed, on the stairs or leading up to their food can provide them with easier mobility and fewer chances of slipping or hurting themselves.
- Avoid re-shuffling or changing the position of the furniture for visually challenged senior pets to help them navigate around the familiar space effortlessly.
- Restrict access to them where they could be in potential danger especially outdoors such as swimming pools, fire pits etc by using baby gates or keeping doors closed, especially when you are not at home.
- Keep food, litter boxes and water bowls in a familiar place to avoid unnecessary movement. Use non-slip food and water bowls kept in a comfortably elevated position on a stand, so that they don’t have to bend a lot.
- Make sure to use ramps with non-slip covers where possible. Restrict them from using stairs – try to change your bedroom to a lower level to watch over and keep them company.
- Most important of all is to be patient – if they can’t see or hear you as they did before, don’t get irritable or lose your temper. Treat them with the love and kindness they deserve.
Nutrition, Hygiene and Diet
Nutritional and dietary requirements change in pets, as they get older. Providing the right kind of nutrition and diet plays an integral role in maintaining the wellness of your senior pet. Nutrients and diets rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals ensure good health, keep them active, prevent obesity, dental problems, and malnutrition. Hygiene and hydration play key roles in maintaining good pet health, so keep a fresh and clean bowl of food and water for them. Wash the food and water bowls with soap and thoroughly rinse them with running water so that the soap doesn’t remain in them.
PEMF – An Alternative and Effective Therapy
There are a plethora of alternative therapies to alleviate or control pain and enhance mobility in senior dogs such as acupressure, physiotherapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, reiki, pranic healing, homeopathy medicines and many more. While I recommend all of them, PEMF has proven to be of great benefit to my senior Labrador Retriever Mojo, who is now over 13 years of age. I have consciously used this therapy instead of chemically heavy painkillers to alleviate and manage his pain and mobility, along with recommended doses of natural supplements for his joints.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy also known as PEMF therapy stands out as a beacon of hope for seniors – humans and pets alike to alleviate and manage their pain levels. It is one of the safest and non-invasive methods to treat bodily injuries and has a positive impact on pain relief, tissue damage, blood clots, and stiffness in joints. PEMF heals the body by emitting an electric pulse that stimulates and aids the process through strengthening and conditioning. This therapy improves cellular well-being within the body without altering its functionalities and improves overall immunity by removing toxins in the body.
Nurture Your Pet Recommends premium PEMF therapy kits with manuals which both, you and your pets can benefit from and use easily. Visit our products page for more information, dos and donts and other detailed user information.
NYP Gina
An advanced system that envelops your entire body in a healing electromagnetic field, offering natural relief, NYP Gina elevates PEMF therapy to new heights! With its dual-channel analog PEMF technology, you will discover a wide range of health and wellness benefits! Read more…
NYP Oliver
NYP Oliver is designed to cover the spine and legs, with ease of use. Utilizing the Schumann frequency, it generates healing waves that deliver excellent results. Pets also benefit significantly from pain relief when the device is placed under their sleeping pad. Read more…
NYP Nico
The new portable PEMF device is a miracle mate to carry while travelling. Both you and your pet can benefit by using NYP Nico to reduce discomfort and pain! Read more…
As our beloved furry best friends grow older, take time to love them harder, cuddle them more, shower them with kisses and tell them several times a day how loved they are. Count each day, month and year as a divine blessing and live in gratitude for their physical presence in your life!
Author - Khursheed Mistry
