There’s no doubt that your elderly loved one adores her pet, but as National Responsible Pet Owners Month takes place in February, it’s a great time to ensure she can still provide the care and protection her pet needs. With age, certain aspects of pet care might become challenging, and this is where companion care can help.
By offering a little extra support, companion care ensures your loved one can continue to be a responsible and loving pet owner.
How Pets Improve the Lives of the Elderly
Let’s start by saying National Responsible Pet Owner Month is not about taking away your elderly loved one’s pet because she can no longer care for it properly. Instead, this month offers the chance to review the pet’s care and help your elderly loved one find solutions for her pet’s care needs.
Pets are often an essential part of someone’s overall mental health and even physical health. A pet can provide companionship and love and help a person be more active by instilling a sense of responsibility and care for another being. Having a pet can be a wonderful health benefit for your loved one, so let’s make sure both her and her pet are thriving.
Five Steps for a Healthier Pet
Make sure it’s receiving the right diet.
Like people, your loved one’s pet’s dietary needs change as it ages. An older cat or dog does not need as many calories as when it was younger. It may also need softer food to eat or food with different nutrients to help it age well.
If your loved one is in the habit of overfeeding her pet or serving it too much “people food,” talk to your loved one about reducing those excessive and sometimes harmful calories.
Keep up with exercise.
This is often an area where an elderly person may need help, especially with dog walking. An in-home companion care provider can help by holding the leash while your loved one takes the dog for a walk, or if your loved one cannot get out due to an illness or injury, a companion care provider can take the dog out for the walk.
Schedule and keep regular vet visits.
Keeping up with vaccinations, as well as having a vet review other aspects of the pet’s health, can help keep the pet healthy, providing companionship for years to come.
Regularly groom the pet.
Regularly grooming her pet is not only about the pet looking good but is also about keeping it healthy. A dog that needs regular grooming and trimming can develop pain and sores if its coat isn’t groomed properly.
Cats and many dogs need regular brushing to prevent skin conditions, as well as nail trimming and ear cleaning. Some grooming needs to be done by professionals, but others, such as brushing, can be done at home.
If your loved one struggles to hold a brush or hold her pet while she brushes it, an in-home companion care provider can assist in these simple pet care duties.
Make sure they are easily identifiable if they get out or get lost.
A collar is one way to provide needed information to whoever may find your lost pet, as well as a microchip that can be read by any veterinarian’s office.
Celebrate Love and Wellness This February
This February, show your loved one and her furry friend how much you care by encouraging them to take steps toward a healthier, happier future together. With the right support and companion care, they can enjoy many more special moments and years of companionship. Invest in their well-being today to ensure a lifetime of cherished memories.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care in Berlin, CT, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Hartford, CT, today. Call (860) 969-3134
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Hartford, CT, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Hartford, Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Cromwell, East Hartford, Farmington, Glastonbury, Kensington, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, Wethersfield, Windsor and surrounding areas in Connecticut.
- Helping Your Senior Be a Responsible Pet Owner - January 17, 2025
- Navigating a Brain Tumor Diagnosis in Your Elderly Loved One - January 10, 2025
- Fostering a Stronger Sense of Community for Seniors with Home Care Services - December 19, 2024
