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Caring for a senior pet is like caring for an ageing family member
The Straits Times
|July 14, 2025
As a veterinarian focusing on palliative and geriatric care, I have come to appreciate the universal truth shared by all living beings—be they dogs, cats, or humans.
Ageing is inevitable and with it comes unique challenges. While we cannot halt time, we can shape how our pets experience their later years.
Geriatric care goes beyond managing illness. It is about preserving comfort, dignity, and quality of life throughout the later stages of life.
The subtle signs of ageing in pets often mirror those in humans, but unfold over a shorter period.
As pets enter their senior years, they may sleep more, move more slowly, and take longer to get up. Physical activities with them may become shorter, as they tire more easily, and foods once enjoyed may no longer agree with their digestion.
As our beloved pets age, it is natural to be concerned as their needs and vulnerabilities change. Mobility issues become more apparent and their senses, such as hearing and sight, may decline.
This story is from the July 14, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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