Posts in Category: Senior Pet Care

When it comes to feeding pets, there is no such thing as a “one-food-fits-all” approach. Providing pets with a diet optimized for each life stage promotes better overall health, and in this blog, our team at Clairmont Animal Hospital helps you put the best nutrition possible on your pet’s plate.

During your pet’s annual wellness exam, we always take time to check his or her mouth, gums, and teeth. This oral health exam is one of the most important and basic ways to keep your pet’s overall health good. It’s a little known fact that by the time pets are 4 years of age, over 85% of them have some form of dental disease. Luckily, this is entirely preventable.

At Clairmont Animal Hospital, we get a lot of questions about pet dental health, and so we thought we’d take this opportunity to answer some of these pressing concerns.

We all want loving, comfortable surroundings for our golden years, right? So do the wise and wonderful senior animals awaiting adoption in area shelters! If pet adoption is in your future, consider opening your home to a much-deserving senior pet.

Sometimes a dog sneeze is his way of showing his excitement. But sometimes he’s reacting to an allergen. Dog allergies are real and can cause intense discomfort.

Has your pet entered their Golden Years? Maybe you have noticed a little gray on the muzzle of your fur baby, or that they seem to be moving a little more slowly than in years past?

Just as in humans, pets who are aging need a few adjustments in their environment to help keep them comfortable. But with better pet nutrition, more access to advanced medical care, and our better understanding of what pets need to stay healthy, we can all give our senior pets the happy golden years they deserve. Read on to find out how. 

While our average winter temperatures can’t be described as extreme, they still have an effect on the animals we love. While we can look up the weather on our phones and dress accordingly, our pets don’t exactly have this luxury. Sure, there are some extremely well-dressed short-haired dogs out there, but for the sake of other pets, let’s take a closer look at winter pet safety.

Know the Risks

Despite the fact your pet has a fur coat, they’re still at risk for hypothermia and frostbite. An exposed nose, paw pads, and ears are more vulnerable to the cold. Of course, you want to provide daily activities, even on the coldest days, but it’s critical to know when your pet has been outside too long. A good rule of thumb is if it’s too cold for you, it’s definitely too cold for your pet. While they may push their limit, winter pet safety means curtailing extended outdoor playtime. Continue…

You may be considering pet adoption, and getting excited about the prospect of adding a new furry family member to your household. If you’re ready to adopt, why limit your choices to a puppy or a kitten? Consider opening your heart and home to a senior pet instead.

What, exactly is a senior pet? Once considered to be pets over 7 years of age, a senior pet –  according to the American Animal Hospital Association – is one in the last 25% of their life expectancy for the species and breed.

Senior pets need homes as much as their younger counterparts. Too often, senior pets live out their days in shelters or are euthanized because of their age. Many were once the faithful companions of people who moved to assisted living, nursing homes, or have died.

There are wonderful reasons why adopting a senior pet can be a life changing experience for the better, but senior pets also pose their own challenges – though not the ones you might think. Clairmont Animal Hospital explores what to consider when adopting a senior pet. Continue…

A cancer diagnosis is frightening for anyone, yet cancer is prevalent among humans and our pet companions. Fortunately, these days, advancements in both human and veterinary medicine means treatments are much more effective.

While sometimes similar to humans, the signs and treatments for various types of cancers are unique in pets. The team at Clairmont Animal Hospital is here to alleviate some of the worries around the big “C” and to help you understand more about cancer in pets.

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We know the story well: one day, your pet is performing all of his or her usual tricks, and the next, it seems your pet is struggling to get up, jump, or move around.

In some cases, the changes can be so gradual an owner may not realize that Fluffy or Fido is coping with pet arthritis until it becomes painfully obvious. A major component of senior pet care is understanding and supporting your pet’s condition, and that’s where we come in. Quality care and guidance can go a long way to making him or her as comfortable as possible. Continue…