Helping your pet age in place
Jameson: Like humans, aging pets deal with arthritis, failing eyesight, hearing loss, incontinence, confusion and thinning hair.
He was there for her in her darkest hour. Later, she was there for his.
At age 3, Mya, a rat terrier mix, had been left at an animal shelter. Her owners deposited her there when she turned up pregnant. (Don’t get me started on whose fault that was.) Her six pups all found homes. But no one wanted a depressed, postpartum dam with a questionable past. And she has not forgotten that DC rescued her from a most certain death 10 years ago.
Two years later, when DC lost his wife to cancer, Mya offered comfort and companionship, helped shoulder his grief and got him out of the house.
Not surprisingly, when I came on the scene seven years ago, Mya had little use for me. I was the other woman, competing for her master’s time and attention. Eventually, after I tossed Mugsy, her favorite toy, 100 times and supplied an ample flow of treats and belly rubs, she decided, just maybe, she could make a little room in the relationship for me.
Back then, Mya was athletic and alert. She could jump like LeBron James and effortlessly catch (and release) lightning-fast lizards. A born watchdog, she supervised the house and inspired respectful fear in all trespassers. When her two younger pup brothers came along, she became a tolerant, if reluctant, older sister.
Today, at 13-plus years old,
Whether an item is inherited, vintage or purchased decades ago, how do you refresh an outdated look? Whether a property is showing signs of age or home decor feels tired and outdated, refreshing furnishings is similar to shining an old penny. In essence, it’s bringing out the best qualities of a space. When looking to refresh an older home or decor, close to 80 in human years, Mya is slowing down. She eats less and sleeps more. She doesn’t see well, and her penchant for long walks exceeds her stamina. When she gets up from a nap, she’s stiff and, like me, often forgets why she walked into a room.
DC and I talk often about what would make Mya happier or more comfortable at home. And I imagine, given that 67 percent of U.S. households have a pet according to the American Pet Products Association survey, similar conversations must be happening in homes across America.
Like humans, aging pets deal with arthritis, failing eyesight, hearing loss, incontinence, confusion and thinning hair. “While making modifications to here are some tips to keep in mind.
Highlight hardwood:
Wall-to-wall carpeting is instantly an outdated look. These days people simply prefer hardwood flooring to carpeting. If needed, pull up/remove wall-to-wall carpeting to reveal what is often unused, beautiful hardwood.
Paint: From dirt to fading, nothing helps refresh a space like a fresh coat of accommodate an elderly relative is common, many folks don’t think about how they could make life at home easier on senior pets,” said Cynthia Thomas, a Florida-based veterinarian.
The most important step they can make is to pay attention to changes, Dr. Thomas said. “Owners often write off as old age a problem we can easily fix.”
A decreased appetite, for instance, may be due to decayed teeth. Incontinence may be due to a bladder infection. A bum knee may be a ligament tear. Once you treat what you can, then you can work to provide extra comfort and support for your senior cat or dog at home. Here are some ways she says you can do that.
Raise food and water bowls. Older dogs often have trouble bending to the floor to eat or drink. Setting their bowls on a shoebox or paint.
Lightly renovate: A light renovation can include everything from replacing faucets and door handles to new doors and lighting.
Refresh primary furnishings: Primary pieces such as sofas, chairs and beds can help set the tone for the rest of the decor in a space. Go neutral: Looking for a modern look? Colors such a black and taupe will help an elevated pet feeder can relieve neck discomfort. Put cat bowls where cats can get to them without having to jump. Keep bowls in sight so you can monitor how much they eat and drink. Consider adding more water stations to make it easier for your pet to get fresh water.
Ramp it up. Like their humans, most dogs eventually get arthritis, which causes them to move a little slower and with stiffness. If they once used to run up the stairs — or hop on the sofa or in the car — and now can’t, a ramp or a set of shallow pet steps can help. If your cat loves to sit on the windowsill but can no longer make the leap, a cat ramp can help him enjoy his favorite perch again. A carpet stair runner or anti-slip treads on slippery stairs can make the trip up or down less harrowing. If your pet goes up, but won’t come down, give a space an edge. Declutter: Rooms often feel outdated when they are overstuffed with too much furniture. Go minimal when possible for a more modern look.
Add mirrors: Mirrors help reflect light and go a long way to help make a space feel bright.
Swap out older lighting: A modern light fixture can help elevate a space. a baby gate can help keep your dog or cat on one floor.
Eliminate slips. As pets lose their agility, slippery floors pose a challenge. While hard flooring is a plus when pets have accidents, aging dogs can slide on it. Rubber-backed, washable rugs or yoga mats can provide cushion and traction. Keeping pets’ nails trimmed can also help them get better traction on hard surfaces, while nightlights can help them find their way in the dark.
Help them “go.” A doggy door can offer quick relief for a dog who wants to get outside faster than if he or she waits for you. For older cats, a litter box with a lower opening is easier for them to get in and out of. Place it near their main bed but not too close.
Make the yard safe. Homes with dogs should have fenced yards. Beware that small breeds might be able to slip through slats. Pools are also a hazard for dogs, Thomas said, though less so for cats, who are leery of water. Even for dogs who know their yards, if they become confused or can’t see, they can walk right into it. So watch them.
Do a temperature check. Dogs’ coats thin with age, so they can get colder. Keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year. If you’re comfortable, your pet probably is too. In colder months, add blankets to your pet’s bed, but don’t use a heating pad, Thomas warns. “They can result in terrible burns.”
Upgrade the bedding. Orthopedic pet beds are available that have foam that takes pressure off old joints. Consider adding a few sleep stations around the house, so your pets can be comfortable where you are.
Create a routine. All pets like routine, but especially senior pets. Also, minimize changes around the house, like rearranging furniture, which can be disorienting. Respect their downtime. As pets get older, they often like to go off by themselves and sleep more, Thomas said. That’s normal.
Join me next week as a top animal behaviorist offers home tips to discourage unwanted pet behaviors and encourage better ones.
Marni Jameson is the author of six home and lifestyle books, including “Downsizing the Family Home — What to Save, What to Let Go” and “Downsizing the Blended Home — When Two Households Become One,” and coming in June “What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want.” You may reach her at marnijameson.com.
Mold and rot are dangers that can develop anywhere in your house. But the bathroom, which generally contains more moisture than any other room in the house, is a particularly ripe target. Mold and rot can cause health problems and do serious damage to your house, so it’s best to take steps to prevent them.
The first signs of mold are darkened wood, water stains on your ceilings and water marks around bath vents. When you detect mold in your bathroom, you should address it quickly, before it spreads. Pay attention to exhaust fans and vent ducts, where condensation will frequently collect.
Bathroom insulation is a common place for mold to take up residence. If you replace your insulation, pick something with a high R-value — higher numbers mean more effectiveness. Spray insulation is generally better than fiberglass. You also want some kind of vapor barrier around the insulation to protect it from condensation. Some building codes actually require it.
Your biggest solution to a moisture problem is a bathroom exhaust fan. If you have an exhaust fan already, inspect it and make sure it’s functioning properly. Make sure it vents to the outdoors, rather than the attic. An exhaust fan venting to the attic can cause problems to fester for months or years, and attract not only mold and rot but termites and pests.
Clean your exhaust fan regularly. It’s not a difficult job; simply turn off main power to your bathroom, locate the fan, remove the vent cover, then remove the fan blade if possible. (Take care of those screws — you won’t want to lose them!) Use mild soap and warm water to clean both the cover and both sides of the fan blade. Let them fully dry before reinstalling them. While they’re drying, inspect the vent and clean whatever you can reach. If you need a quick fix and don’t want to take the assembly apart, blow the fan and vent with canned air. It won’t get rid of all debris, but it’s a quick refresher.
If you want to replace your exhaust fan, or install a new one, make sure you hire the right person for the job. Some localities and states allow anyone to do this job, but some require a licensed electrician. You’ll pay between $165 and $350 for this work.
When hiring, ask them about the right size fan you’ll need. All ventilation fans have an airflow rate measured in cubic feet per minute. The Home Ventilating Institute recommends one CFM per square foot of bathroom area. Add 50 CFM for each toilet, shower and tub. You might need a higher-rated fan for a bathroom with a particularly high ceiling.
Some fans are louder than others; be sure to buy one with a noise level you can live with.