As they age, most animals will sleep more and get less exercise, so changes in diet are called for. There are senior pet-food formulas that provide for the different needs of older pets. Make sure you are feeding a high quality brand, not one that contains lots of fillers and byproducts (that goes for younger animals too!). Monitor water intake — too little can lead to digestive problems, and drinking a lot might indicate diabetes, a treatable disease that many cats develop as they age.
Aging pets will often become somewhat deaf and may have impaired vision, so look for signs that response times are slowing down and adjust your behavior accordingly. Some dogs and cats get snappy as they age, so don’t startle an older animal out of a nap and make sure they know you’re approaching. For example, try stomping your feet or pitching your voice higher if your dog isn’t responding to you from across the room.
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