![Tips to help senior dogs with hearing loss]()
Dogs have different needs at different ages and for many, this includes new considerations as they lose hearing in their senior years.
Tips to help senior dogs with hearing loss
We all want our pets to live well into their senior years, but conditions can develop in dogs’ older age that require special considerations. Most dogs experience at least some degree of hearing loss as they age, but you can help your companion adjust with a few simple changes to his daily routine.
Age is the most common cause of hearing loss in dogs. While age-related deafness cannot be cured without surgery, other causes of hearing loss include infections or foreign bodies lodged in the ear canal and can be treated. When you begin to notice your pet is struggling with hearing, take him to the veterinarian to rule out any curable conditions such as these. Many owners are unaware that their pet is losing his ability to hear until more advanced stages of hearing loss, so be watch for signs that your companion is unable to hear as he begins to age.
After ruling out temporary causes behind Fido’s hearing loss, you can begin to take steps to help him adjust to life with limited aural abilities. If you did not train your pet using hand signals from an early age, begin using non-verbal cues to communicate commands. It is best to begin this sort of visual training from a young age so your pet is already well-versed in these commands before any loss of hearing occurs, but older pets are often very capable of learning new cues. To get your dog’s attention when he is no longer able to hear your calls, use actions such as hand clapping, stomping your foot on the floor, or other vibration-creating behaviors that alert him to your presence. You can also get creative by using a flashlight, opening a bag of tasty-smelling treats, or other non-auditory methods to get Fido’s attention. When teaching your pet to respond to new signals, use plenty of positive reinforcement in the form of praise, pats, treats any playtime.
Another way to help your pet adjust to diminished hearing to be be conscious of his changing conditions. Only approach him within his field of vision or use a gentle touch to avoid startling him. You can even try using the odor from a tasty bag of treats to help rouse him from a nap. You should also take added precautions to keep your dog safe when he is unable to hear environmental noises. Fence in your yard or keep your pet on a leash when he is outdoors to help him avoid oncoming traffic and other hazards. You can also enrich your pet’s life by increasing smell-related activities, such as teaching him nosework games and allowing him time to stop and sniff when you are in the yard or on walks.
Dogs have a tremendous ability to adapt to hearing loss. When one sense weakens, the others tend to become stronger to compensate, so providing him with plenty of smell-centered activities to continue engaging your pet. With a few daily adjustments, you can improve your pet’s quality of life even as he adjusted to age-related deafness.
![Why is my cat urinating outside the litter box?]()
Most cat owners have struggled with their pet not using the litter box, but this can be your cat’s way of saying something is wrong.
Why is my cat urinating outside the litter box?
At some point, most cat owners struggle with their companion urinating outside of the litter box. Though this can be frustrating, it helps to know this unusual behavior is one way your pet communicates to you that something is wrong, either medically or emotionally.
Physically ailments such as urinary tract infections are one of the common causes of inappropriate urination. There are many other medical conditions that can cause your cat to feel uncomfortable, including bladder stones, kidney disease and infections. Any problem impacting his kidneys or liver in particular can cause your cat to drink more water and, therefore, need more urgent trips to the litter box. With this change in his schedule, he may not be able to reach the litter box in time, or it may become dirty faster, leading your cat to do his business elsewhere until the litter is cleaned. Even if the physical discomfort is not directly related to your pet’s bladder, he may start urinating in inappropriate places due to other physical conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis. Senior pets are especially prone to problems with the litter box as their mobility and cognitive function decrease. It may simply be harder for older cats to get into the litter box, or they may become confused as their brain function changes during their senior years.
There are also non-physical conditions that can make Kitty urinate outside of his litter box. Feeling stressed or anxious can change a range of your pet’s behaviors, including where he uses the bathroom. Even small changes, such as a visitor in the house, can cause cats to feel stressed, and larger shifts such as adding a new pet to the household or moving can certainly trigger unusual behavior. Some cats will also mark spots in the household with urine when they feel threatened by a new pet or person.
If your cat suddenly starts urinating outside of the litter box, take this is a sign that something may be wrong. If the behavior does not change, take him to the veterinarian for a check-up to rule out any physical ailments. If he is physically healthy, you will then need to address the stressor that is causing your pet’s behavioral problems with his litter box. Be sure to keep the box clean and in a private section of your house so it is inviting to your pet. Try different types of litter, as some pick pets have a texture preference. If you have a senior pet who is struggling with mobility, try a tray with a lower lip and open top. Block off any parts of the house where your cat has been making a habit of urinating, or place a litter box directly over the spot he has made his makeshift bathroom. You can also use odor-neutralizing sprays to remove the smell in those spots, as this can encourage your cat to continue urinating there. When introducing a new pet to a multi-cat household, place multiple litter boxes around the house to encourage your cats to use their litter boxes.
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