#stitch with @Morgan Lau Bailey Firstly, I am so sorry for your loss. The grief of losing a pet is very real and I hope you are ok. Our dogs are living longer lives and many of us are lucky enough to have a super-senior in our families!   But when they are old, our pets do need a great deal of care and attention and their needs are different to when they were younger.   So here are some of my top care tips for the goldie oldie in your life!   1)        Keep up a close relationship with your vet   It is a very lucky doggo indeed who isn’t dealing with some sort of chronic health condition when they are older but with good medication and monitoring they still live their best lives!  So it is really important you take them for regular check-ups and work closely with your vet to ensure they stay healthy and happy for as long as possible!   Many people avoid their practice when their pets get old because they are worried we are going to say it is time to say goodbye.  This happens very rarely but when it does, it is often because they didn’t come in soon enough.  I understand the fear but please know we are here to support you.   2)        Make their lives easy!   Do ensure that they have easy and unfettered everything they need in your home and we are not making their lives harder by having food and water bowls a long way from their beds, or making them walk long distances on slippy floors to get around.   Ramps are also a great idea and can have a huge impact on preventing repetitive strain injuries.  They can be used in the home, garden and the ones for cars are brilliant.   And don’t forget to keep pathways clear!  So they don’t trip over things or struggle to get about with weak legs and poor eyesight.   3)        Still take them for walks!   Their bodies may be letting them down but their minds are still active and getting out and about will be hugely mentally stimulating and rewarding for them.   A slow, sniffy walk is just perfect.  Vary where you go, so they have new smells and doggy gossip to check out!   4)        A good diet will pay dividends   There are no set guidelines for senior pet diets because their needs are so variable but finding the perfect food will have a massively positive impact on their health.   So many chronic illnesses can be supported by the right meals, things like kidney issues, liver problems, arthritis and dementia to name just a few, but even general health will be hugely impacted and improved by the right diet.   Have a chat to your vet team about what they would advise for your pet.   5)        Supplements!   Supplements can be helpful, but not always necessary if the diet is right, but the regulation of them is very poor and plenty of companies make impossible promises.   Again, the people to chat to about the best ones to chose, in terms of quality, effectiveness and suitability for your dogs individual needs, is your veterinary team.   Keep the stiches coming!  I am loving seeing your super old and super loved dogs!   #olddog #elderlypets #seniorcare #seniordog #catthevet