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Pawrenting: Caring for ageing pets
A dog and its owner on a heap of garbage at Muthurwa market, Nairobi. According to the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Bill 2020, an owner of a dog that fouls a street or public road will be fined.
What you need to know:
- Be on the lookout for changes in their thirst or appetite, sleeping patterns, energy levels, mental awareness, feel of any lumps and bumps and religiously keep the vet appointments.
- With older pets, it is advisable; you see a vet twice a year.
- The vet should be super knowledgeable about elderly animals.
What is considered “old” for a cat or a dog? This question is complicated because “oldness” in a cat or dog is determined by their genes, environment and individual characteristics. Some researchers say, smaller dogs live longer than bigger dogs. A cat may be really old at 12 while another may be active and agile at the same age. But at some point, your pet will grow old, or you may find yourself adopting or rescuing an ageing cat or dog.
First, you need to know the signs of an ageing pet and keep track of them. According to vets, the most common medical problems to watch out for are arthritis, especially of the knees and the hip, dental diseases, dementia, heart diseases, diabetes and cancer. Most of these you may not diagnose from home but what you should watch out for is any slight change in your pet’s behaviour and note it down.
