Category: For elderly pets

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Top tips when caring for pets post-operation

caring for pets post-operation

To maintain the health of your pet operations may be unavoidable and caring for pets post-operation is important to ensure they recover well.

As an owner, it can be stressful for your pet to be unwell and to leave them at the vets for surgery. Caring for pets post-operation can differ, as each pet is different, and can be dependent on their age, breed and condition.

To aid their recovery and maintain the health of your cat or dog, the care that they receive once they are back home with you may be as important as the operation itself.

To maintain your pet’s optimum health, here are some top tips to aid their recovery following surgery:

Speak to your vet

Following your pet’s operation your vet is the best resource for advice. Make sure you ask them any questions you have with regards to after care, and be sure to follow their advice.

Keep your pet indoors

Some pets may take longer than others to get back to their former self. Be sure to keep your dog or cat inside for the recommended number of days. For cats, it is usually recommended that they stay indoors for 1-3 days following surgery.

Make your pet comfy

Create a safe den for your pet to recover in. Make sure it is in a place that is easily accessible and your pet has access to water and for a cat – their litter tray. Provide them with lots of bedding for warmth and comfort.

Keep your pet calm

Your pet may need a calm and quiet environment to recuperate. Don’t let your dog or cat get over energetic and speak to family members about giving then space and time to recover. Try to reduce any jumping up on furniture to prevent opening wounds.

Keep an eye on wounds

Try to keep an eye on your pet’s wound to look out for infection. If you are worried that it might not be healing as well as it should, speak to your vet.

Prevent licking or biting

Your pet may be restless if their wound is particularly irritating and they may lick and bite them. Your vet may provide a collar for your cat or dog to wear to help to prevent licking. Although these can be hard for your pet to get used to, try to leave it on as long as possible, as it will help the recovery process.

Give your pet some TLC

Just like humans, an operation can be a stressful event. To help reduce stress for your pet and reassure them, give them some attention. Although some pets may prefer to be left alone and recover in peace, be extra attentive and keep an eye on your dog or cat whilst they recover.

Diet

When caring for pets post-operation, your vet may recommend a specific diet to help speed up your pet’s recovery. They may suggest high-quality proteins found in boiled chicken, scrambled eggs and white fish, which can aid wound healing.

Be patient

After a few days your pet may seem like they are back to their normal self. However, be sure to stick to your vet’s advice and not rush their recovery. They may be running around again, but their wounds might still need time to heal.

Keep exercise to a minimum

When your pet is ok to go back outside, only allow gentle exercise to start with. For your dog take them on gentle walks to burn off excess energy. Only let your cat out in the garden and try not to let them wander too far.

 

To help manage your pet’s health whilst they recover, speak to your vet about any of the above. They will be able to offer the best advice with regards to your pet’s health needs. Ask your vet about Nutramed, which has been specifically formulated to support your pet’s natural systems that control inflammation. It also provides multimodal support for joints, soft tissues and liver function.

 

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Top tips for caring for older pets

Caring for older pets

Caring for older pets is crucial to help to help maintain their health and mobility, like their owners, with age they can develop and endure health issues.

As an owner you are best placed when caring for older pets are you will notice a change in your pet or if they are not feeling themselves. Keeping an eye out for behavioural changes or any change to their normal routine can help to maintain their healthy life.

To help care for your senior cat or dog, here are some top tips to support their health as they age:

Regular vet check ups

Regular visits to your vet is important for older pets. They will be able to offer advice and keep an eye out for any new health issues that might arise. This will also help to keep up-to-date with annual vaccinations, which are still important in older pets.

Keep them moving

Although they might not be as fast or walk as far as younger pets, it’s still vital to make sure they exercise. Walking your senior dog will help to prevent weight gain and aid their cognitive function by keeping their mind active. Walks should be shorter but are integral to prevent weight gain, which could lead to stiff joints.

Nutrition

It’s important when caring for older pets to ensure that they are getting the essential nutrients as they age. Obesity is more common in older pets as they have a tendency to move less. Pet food that is produced specifically for senior pets has fewer calories, reduced fat and more fibre.

Keep up with grooming

Regular grooming is important for your senior pet to help keep their skin and coat in good condition. As your pet ages joint stiffness may prevent them from being able to groom themselves.

Senility

Like us, as pet’s age they can lose cognitive function. If your pet starts having accidents around the house or getting disorientated, it could be a sign that they have cognitive dysfunction. Keeping an eye on your pet’s behaviour is integral to spotting these signs early.

Joint care

As your pet’s age, you may notice a reduction in mobility. Simple tasks such as going up the stairs or getting into the car might be a struggle. To help keep your pet mobile, you could use a ramp to help get them into the car and prevent pets from jumping up. Move your cat’s food bowl to floor level rather than feeding them on high surfaces so that they don’t have to jump up to get it. Further support, such as a natural product like Nutraquin+ could help aid and soothe stiff joints.

Stress reduction

Older pets might not be able to handle stressful situations. Reducing stress in their home environment or outside will help to prevent unruly behavior. Ensure they have a den or a safe spot that they can go to and feel comfortable in during stressful situations.

Bedding

Make sure your pet has comfy warm bedding away from any drafts. They should have close access to the garden as your older pet’s toilet habits may change with age and they might have to go more often. For smaller dogs make sure they have extra bedding during winter months to keep them warm and extra bedding can be used as padding for their joints.

Maintain good oral health

Regardless of age, it’s important to keep up with brushing your pet’s teeth to remove any plaque or bacteria build up. As your dog or cat ages, their routine and diet may change so it’s key to keep this particular routine up.

Clip your pet’s nails

As your elderly pet can become less active, their nails can get long and could cause ingrowing nails. If you don’t feel confident trimming your dog or cat’s nails, consult your vet for help and advice. Be careful not to trim too far, as you could cut part of the nail that contains sensitive blood vessels and nerves.

Litter trays for your cat

As your senior cat is more likely to have accidents and need the toilet more, make sure there is a sufficient amount of litter trays around the house for them to use. Keep an eye on their toilet habits in case they appear to have trouble with urinary output. This could be a sign that they may need support with their urinary tract health.

If you think that your older pet my need support, it’s best to consult your vet, who will be able to advise the best solution for your dog or cat’s health needs. Nutravet has a number of supplements for older dogs and cats, such as Nutracalm, Nutramind, and Nutraquin+ can help maintain the health of your pet.

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Common signs your pet needs cognitive support

Your pet needs cognitive support

Maintaining healthy brain function in your pet is vital to help support memory and learning abilities. Looking for common signs your pet needs cognitive support can help maintain their overall health.

Like humans, as they age dogs and cats may experience ‘senior moments’. We don’t like to think of our pets getting older, but like us, it could be that your pet needs cognitive support. Some pet owners put this down to old age rather than realising that there may be something they can do about it.

If you are worried about your cat or dog, we share some common signs your pet needs cognitive support:

Disorientation

Your pet can display confused behaviour in the house and wander around aimlessly. They may get lost on walks or perhaps go to the wrong side when opening doors. Your pet may also lose the ability to recognise people they are frequently in contact with, or other pets.

Decreased social interaction

You may find your pet will hide away, especially if there are new people in the house. There may not greet you, which is often perceived as tiredness or being less interested or excited. There may also be increased vocalisation, or rarely being vocal at all, as well as becoming aggressive in particular situations.

Loss of prior house training

This is one of the most noticeable signs for pet owners and can be distressing for all involved. Toilet training is a key learned behaviour and can be one of the first that is lost with cognitive dysfunction.

Disturbance in sleep pattern

This is a key feature of cognitive dysfunction. Increased sleep is common, but this can often be broken in shorter periods and pets can be awake at night, when previously they were not. Again, this can be distressing for the owner, especially coupled with vocalisation and toileting in the house.

Decreased activity

Dogs and cats can be less enthusiastic to exercise and less excited by toys and other previously rewarding events.

A natural product such as Nutramind could be considered to help your pet if the above is evident. Nutramind has a unique formula specifically developed to maintain optimum brain function. Ask your vet for more information on additional ways to help your pet and how Nutramind can help naturally maintain brain function..

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Milk Thistle for dogs and cats

Milk Thistle for dogs and cats

Milk Thistle for dogs and cats is a key natural ingredient to support elderly pets due to its multi-health benefits.

Recent studies have shown to moderate the pro-inflammatory cascade as well as having a beneficial effect on aiding healthy liver function.

The liver is an important organ for pets. It has a number of important jobs to do, which include digestion and producing protein that is important for blood clotting, as well as removing toxins from their system. If a dog’s liver is not working properly, it might mean that they could benefit from extra support.

Signs that your dog may need liver support include:

  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Increased thirst
  • Excessive drooling
  • Changes in their behaviour
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Lack of energy or depression

If your dog is showing any of these signs, it’s important to consult your vet, who will be able to offer the best advice with regards to your pet’s health needs.

The benefits of Milk Thistle for dogs, cats and horses

Milk Thistle is a plant from the daisy family. It is a bristly and prickly plant with a “milky” sap that comes out of the plant. Its leaves, fruits and seeds have been used for over 2000 years to naturally support joints, soft tissue, liver function, kidneys, and the gall bladder.

Milk Thistle contains an active ingredient called “silymarin” which is a chemical extracted from its seeds. It is an antioxidant and also supports the natural systems that control inflammation making it a useful natural ingredient for joint and liver supplements for dogs and cats. Specifically, silymarin and other related compounds stimulate new cell production, which makes Milk Thistle for dogs and cats a great and very effective herb to support healthy liver function.

Milk Thistle is one of the most effective herbs at stimulating the production and flow of bile, which helps to break down excess fat and prevents it from accumulating in the liver. Bile is also essential for the elimination of toxins in the body.

Why Nutramed is the best supplement for older dogs

Due to it’s benefits, Milk Thistle is one of the key ingredients of Nutramed as part of a combined group of natural ingredients that benefit dogs, cats and horses in need of joint, soft tissue and liver function support. If you are looking for a Milk Thistle supplement for dogs then Nutramed has been specifically formulated by vets to support an animal’s natural systems that control inflammation and provide multi-modal support for joints, soft tissues and liver function.

Nutramed is a particularly useful supplement for older dogs who need multiple health support. Increasingly, nutraceuticals are playing a beneficial multimodal role in aiding recovery, naturally. If you are looking for a natural liver supplement for dogs or cats, then Nutramed is recommended by vets throughout the UK as a triple strength formula and a natural alternative for animal healthcare.

 

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Pine Bark Extract for dogs and cats

Pine Bark Extract for dogs and cats

Pine Bark Extract for dogs and cats is important as it supports a pet’s natural systems that control inflammation.

Pine Bark Extract for dogs and cats is a key natural supplement for elderly pets. It is made from the bark of the maritime pine tree (Pinus pinaster), which contains naturally occurring chemicals called proanthocyanidins.

It is a powerful antioxidant which also supports an animal’s natural systems that control inflammation and it is useful in supporting cats and dogs with knocks and sprains.

Pine Bark Extract is a popular nutritional supplement for pets due to its numerous health benefits and is utilised as a key ingredient in Nutramed where it is combined with Boswellia Extract and Milk Thistle extract to create a specifically formulated supplement for dogs and cats that supports an animal’s natural systems which control inflammation and provides multi-modal support for joints, soft tissues and liver function as part of a customised plan for an animal.

Some senior pets need multimodal support due to a number of health issues. Like their owners, as pets age they can develop and endure health issues, such as reduced mobility or liver health problems.

Benefits of Pine Bark Extract natural supplements

  • Antioxidant properties
  • Supports the natural systems that control inflammation
  • Aids with knocks, sprains or post operative recovery

If you’re looking for Pine Bark Extract, then Nutramed is recommended by vets throughout the UK. Nutramed is a multimodal nutritional support for joints, soft tissues and liver function for dogs, cats and horses. Nutramed has been specifically formulated by vets to support an animal’s natural systems that control inflammation and provide multimodal support.