how to care for your old timer

It’s not easy watching our beloved ones get old, but here are three helpful tips to keep in mind to help make their world a better place.

Tip #1: Use it or loose it
As someone who has started their health journey in the fitness field, I know more than anyone how true this statement is. Same goes for our pets! Exercise is the best thing for them, especially as they get older, of course after modifying the intensity to match their needs, they will thrive with appropriate exercise. Regular exercise will help keep muscle, mobility and flexibility and let’s not forget the most important muscle of all-  the heart! Yes, exercise will even benefit their cardiac muscle, not just skeletal. When taking your older fur kid for a walk, I would advise not to walk on really hard surfaces such as pavements as that will be really tough on their feet (paws) and joints. When trying to exercise your cat get toys (or a piece of string) that will get their attention so they can chase it around and get their heart rate up.

Tip #2: Moist Food
If your pet has been on dry food their whole life now is a better time than ever to start moistening their food. It will help them break it down better thus assimilating more nutrients while making it easy on their digestive tract.
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Tip#3: Supplements
Supplementing is key for each individual needs but here are some suggestions that every senior pet can benefit from across the board.

1. Digestive enzymes- Just as we age, our enzyme activity in our guts slow down, well, same goes for them. By giving d.e, you are ensuring that your pet is properly breaking down his/her food so that he/she can assimilate nutrients more effectively from their diet. As they get older their appetite naturally declines, this way you can be sure that when they do eat they are reaping the full benefits from their food. ‘You are not what you eat but what you absorb!’.
2. Probiotics- You want to replenish as much good bacteria in their guts as you naturally can by either feeding fermented foods like kefir or supplementing with a good probiotic supplement. You want to get their defenses up because 70% of their immune system is in the gut, giving them a much better chance at fighting infection, allergies, etc. Helps with digestion, and any gas or bloating that they may have.
3. Joint care- No doubt that as our beloveds age so do their skeletal and muscular systems. Maybe their gate isn’t as smooth or they take longer getting up, all a tell-tale sign that things are slowing down. There are a lot of options to choose from on the market and it can get confusing, for example, do you want to focus on rebuilding collagen, replenishing synovial fluid or are you more after an anti-inflammatory, etc.  If your unsure on which one is the best option for your pet it is best to speak with an experienced person to pin point exactly what your pet needs. Saving you both money and time.

 Note: If your pet is on any medications always speak with your veterinarian prior to starting any supplement regimen.