Happy New Year! 2019 is a great time to make a resolution for your senior pet: to keep them healthy and happy all year long! Below, your Roanoke, VA veterinarian shares five tips to make sure your older companion stays in tip-top shape throughout 2019.

Feed a Great Diet

A great diet is one of the best ways to make sure your senior companion stays healthy. Choose a food that is formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of aging pets—your companion’s dietary needs have changed drastically since they were a puppy or kitten! Consult your veterinarian for help choosing the proper diet, and be sure to ask about the right portion size.

Provide Regular Exercise

Exercising your senior pet on a regular basis is another key part of maintaining a healthy body, not to mention a stimulated mind. Don’t allow your pet to fall prey to obesity in their later years—it can quickly lead to other serious health problems. Give your companion light exercise via walks around the neighborhood or gentle play sessions at home.

Practice Dental Care

Did you know that dental health issues are some of the most common problems that veterinarians treat in pets? It’s all too easy to overlook your pet’s dental health, and oral issues can sideline a senior pet very easily. Provide your pet with plenty of chew toys, which help work out the teeth and gums and scrape away loose plaque; brush the teeth at home using a canine- or feline-formulated toothpaste and a pet toothbrush.

Keep Up With Preventatives

A pest infestation or a serious disease can wreak havoc on an aging pet, especially if their immune system isn’t as strong as it used to be. That’s why keeping up with preventative medications is so important! Make sure your senior pet stays up-to-date with vaccinations against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, rabies, and others. Have them wear year-round preventative medications to fend off fleas, ticks, and worms. If your pet is in need of these medications, call your vet’s office today.

See the Vet

There’s just no substitute for regular examinations at the vet’s office. When your vet sees Fido or Fluffy several times per year, their health can be monitored and any concerns can be addressed right away.

Is your pet due for their next veterinary appointment? Contact your Roanoke, VA animal hospital. We’re here to help throughout 2019 and beyond!