November marks National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, which raises awareness of shelter animals in need of forever homes and recognizes the importance of the health and well-being of older pets around the world.1 In honor, YuMove, the common dog supplement, shared a release outlining wellness and mobility tips for senior pets.
Photo courtesy of YuMove.
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The company suggests maintaining the health and well-being of older animals through2:
- Help them be comfortable at home. This can be accomplished through non-slip walking surfaces; easily accessible raised food and water bowls; ramps; and special harnesses.
- Get out and exercise in moderation. Exercising every day helps manage a dog’s weight and provides mental stimulation. Dogs with stiff joints would benefit from shorter, regular walks. Be sure to assess the weather and be careful during the winter months with snow and rain, and during the warmer months with heat.
- Pay attention to the weight of an animal. A healthy weight can be achieved through a healthy diet; limit treats; do not feed table scraps; and set aside time daily for moderate walks.
- Checking a dog’s mobility. Look for visible signs of stiffness in the morning or after rest; slow down during walks; reluctance to get out of bed, go up or down stairs; lethargy; grumpy during or after walks, or even when being petted.
- Providing high quality supplement for dog’s hips and joints. This can help provide additional support to dogs’ hips and joints and maintain or support their mobility.
- Considering pet mobility products for disabled or elderly dogs. This may include dog wheelchairs, harnesses, slings and dog leg braces to help support or maintain mobility for dogs and other animals when advised by your veterinarian.
- Consultation with the veterinarian. Veterinarians can help provide information and offer proactive care so that senior pets can stay healthy and comfortable.
To further address National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, YuMove has partnered with the Mr Mo project3 who rescues elderly dogs from shelters across the United States to help them find new loving homes. Interested people can adopt a senior dog through the Mr Mo Project website or at local shelters nationwide.
The references
- National Adopt a Senior Pet Month – November 2023. National Today. Accessed November 2, 2023. https://nationaltoday.com/national-adopt-a-senior-pet-month
- November is Senior Pet Month, celebrate with 7 wellness and mobility tips from YuMOVE, joint supplements for dogs. Press release. YuMove. November 2, 2023. Accessed November 2, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/november-is-senior-pet-month-celebrate-with-7-wellness–mobility-tips-from-yumove -joint-supplements-for-dogs-301975301.html
- Burke J. Organizations spotlight shelter dogs during Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month. dvm360®. October 18, 2023. Accessed November 2, 2023. https://www.dvm360.com/view/organizations-spotlight-shelter-dogs-this-adopt-a-shelter-dog-month