How to Strengthen the Bond with Your Senior Pet
As our senior pets grow older, you can start to feel like your days with them are even more important to treasure. It can be difficult to see your fur-baby slow down with age, particularly if the ways that you normally spend time with them and create memories changes as their physical or mental health changes.
Even though the way that you bond with your pet may look different, your senior pal will still feel and cherish your love and care. So while it may take some adjusting, and maybe some creative thinking - here are some of our favourite ways to stay connected and strengthen your bond with your senior pet.
Quality quiet time
Many ageing pets can need more sleep and you may find them resting more, particularly during the day. This may be at odds with the energetic days that you’re used to with your pal, but never fear - there are still ways to keep close with your pet. This can be as simple as taking the time out of your day to sit by your pet and relax or cuddle together. For pets that are less mobile, making sure that they’re nearby as you watch TV, read a book or even cook in the kitchen can be easy ways for them to know that you’re close. This downtime not only provides a sense of comfort, it can also help ease any senior pet anxiety, with moments like cuddling releasing the happy hormone - ‘oxytocin’!
Regular grooming
Not only are there definite health benefits to staying on top of regular grooming with your senior pet, it can be a great opportunity for caring physical touch that brings them security and comfort. If you include gentle massage in your grooming routine, this can give your pet a relaxing experience that helps relieve them from the aches and pains of ageing. Similar to finding the time to cuddle and sit with them, grooming can be a quiet and soothing way to spend quality time with your pet.
New experiences to keep them physically and mentally stimulated
Sharing new experiences where possible with your senior pet will help keep them physically and mentally stimulated. These will help you create happy memories together as well as boost your pet’s happiness by changing their scenery and letting them experience new sights and smells. While we know that these will be different depending on your pet’s needs, some ideas for activities include:
Take them to a local market
If your pal has always loved to socialise, how about taking them to a new local market? Consider markets that have a path to walk that is not too busy and crowded, and come prepared with mobility aids if needed. If you plan on spending a little while at the market and think your pal may get tired or be in pain, you could also bring a pet bike trailer, or pet stroller. Who knows? You might even find some homemade and locally produced goodies for your pal while you’re there!
Make meal-time enriching
We know that life can get busy sometimes, so don’t be afraid to look for ways to create memorable experiences in their everyday routine. Shaking up your pet’s mealtime in little ways can be a great way to surprise and delight your pal, and keep them engaged with their food. As long as they’re getting the nutrients they need, adding more play to their meal times can be an awesome way to keep things fresh and exciting at home. Some great options could be Kongs, different stages of Puzzle Feeders, or even this digger bowl.
Car rides
Road trips, regardless of their length, can be a great way to get out and about with your golden oldie. Road trips encourage uninterrupted quality time together and mental stimulation for your pet. They can also be a great modified activity for older pets as their mobility fades, by getting them out and about and to new places without them needing to be moving around too much. A bit nervous about hitting the road with your senior pet? Check out our top tips for travelling with a senior pet here.
Modifying their favourite things
Pet’s minds can often stay sharp, even when their bodies become a little slower. Consider modifying their favourite activities to keep your usual ways of bonding with your pets going for as long as possible. This can be done by organising less strenuous variations of the things they enjoy. This will not only keep their minds happy, but may help with consistent mobility and joint health.
Moderated beach walks
If your senior pet has always loved the beach, then old age shouldn’t stop them from enjoying their favourite destination. Taking your pet to a dog beach can be a highly enriching experience, and can be tailored to suit your pet’s needs. Consider a slower pace, and flatter parts of the beach for your pet to take a walk on. This will protect their ageing bones and joints and still allow for a healthy amount of exercise while you spend some time together.
Playing with toys (and playing catch)
Our senior pets often love playtime, even into their later years. It can be modified to your pet’s pace and ability and will help them feel involved, especially if you have other pets at home. This could look like throwing a ball to your senior dog that is a little bit closer for them to get, or slowing down how quickly you have your cat chase a toy. While they may not be up to what they used to do, they will likely recognise their favourite activities and be forever grateful.
Positive reinforcement
Senior pets can often experience increased anxiety due to their decreased physical and/or mental ability. It’s important to remain patient with your pet as they understand and adjust to the changes that are happening to them. Positive reinforcement is a great way to comfort and reassure your pet, and make sure they know that you’re there and love them.
Rewarding your pet often with treats can also be a great way to celebrate them achieving little wins throughout the day. Even though our pets can’t always understand what we’re saying, they learn our body language and tone of voice. So making sure they’re feeling loved and supported through our words and actions, particularly if they’re feeling more anxious, is so important.
Creating keepsakes
An activity that is an opportunity to bond with your senior pet and make something that you will be able to treasure once they cross the rainbow bridge is the perfect senior pet activity in our books. Some ideas include:
At home photoshoot
Getting your pet all dressed up can be the perfect way to celebrate different holidays and seasons, as well as enjoy your time together. Giving your pet some extra festive attention whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday or even the new year, can be the perfect way to bond. Why not welcome any family, friends and other fur-babies to take part in the photo too? This can be a great way to help keep your pet social and engaged, while making memories that will last a lifetime.
Painting sessions
As long as you get pet-safe paint, this can be an opportunity for your senior pal to experience a new activity and get messy. Let them go wild with the paints and make sure you keep a hold of their creations. You could decide to let your pal go abstract with a whole bunch of colours, and get some paint paw prints that you can frame later.
Whatever their age, it’s so important for your pet’s wellbeing to feel connected and bonded with you. Creating memories well into their twilight years will help with them being as happy and healthy as possible, and make sure their memories of home and family are filled with love.
