How to Care for Senior Pets: Expert Tips for Pet Sitters and the Role of PadsPass

Last year for several weeks, I had the honour of caring for Ollie. At the time Ollie was 13, deaf, blind, diabetic, and had Cushing’s disease and pancreatitis. I had no previous experience as a pet sitter but my husband is a doctor, (helpful when administering insulin), and we both loved Ollie as if he was part of our pack. That was enough of a comfort to his humans while they were away. Ollie taught me what it’s like to look after a senior pet and it is thanks to Ollie I was able to envision how PadsPass would meet their needs. 

As our furiends age, their needs evolve in ways that require extra care and attention. Senior pets often have more complex health needs, dietary restrictions, mobility issues and may require regular medication. For pet sitters, caring for senior dogs or cats can be a little more paws-on than handling younger, more energetic pets. However, with the right preparation and tools, these challenges can be tackled with ease and confidence. That's where PadsPass, the ultimate digital pet passport, steps in to make a pet sitter’s job a whole lot simpler.

Top Senior Pet Care Concerns for Pet Sitters

1. Health Management and Medications Senior pets are more likely to have chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease, which require daily medications or treatments. Pet sitters need to know exactly when, how, and how much medication to administer. Missing or mismanaging a dose can lead to serious health issues for these ageing furiends. Ollie needed 12 units of insulin twice a day. There were definitely some sleepy mornings where I panicked trying to remember if I had given him his insulin or not. 

2. Special Dietary Needs Senior pets often have stricter dietary needs to manage obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal and other issues. Because Ollie also had pancreatitis and Cushing’s disease, he needed to take one pill everyday with his food but due to his pancreatitis there were some mornings he wouldn’t want to eat certain types of food. I’d have a ready-made buffet in the fridge to go through the options with him until I found something I could sneak the pill into. My takeaway from the experience? Pet sitters need to be aware of portion sizes, feeding times, and any allergies that can complicate a meal plan. 

3. Mobility and Comfort Arthritis and other joint issues are common in older pets, which may limit their ability to move comfortably. Pet sitters must ensure pets can easily access food, water, and their favourite nap spots, while also keeping an eye out for any signs of pain or discomfort. Ollie could manage his way around a room, down stairs, and memorised where his water was placed, which was important - dogs with diabetes must stay hydrated.  

4. Routine and Familiarity Senior pets thrive on routine and may become anxious or stressed when their usual schedule is disrupted. Pet sitters should ensure daily routines, including feeding, walking, and resting, stay consistent. Any significant changes in their routine can cause confusion and stress in senior pets.

5. Regular Veterinary Care With age, the likelihood of emergency veterinary visits increases. Pet sitters should be prepared with detailed information about the pet's medical history, preferred vet, and any ongoing treatments. Even knowing Ollie’s vet, when he had a seizure I seized up about what to do next. I reached out to his parents on the other side of the world only to be reminded the vet has an emergency phone number. 

6. Cognitive Dysfunction Just like hoomans, pets can experience cognitive decline as they age. A senior pet may become confused, forget where they are, or start to show signs of dementia. Pet sitters need to provide extra patience and care during these moments to ensure the pet feels safe and loved. Before Ollie had that seizure, which was due to an internal change in his body of insulin, he was acting differently but nothing else had changed around him. I monitored his changes and kept him close by, but at the time I had wished I had a better way of keeping record of the changes to be able to share the exact details with the vet later on. Inspired by Ollie, PadsPass will look to meet the needs for pet sitters of senior pets.   

   
   

How PadsPass Simplifies Senior Pet Care for Sitters

Taking care of a senior pet is like being a pet’s personal assistant, and pet sitters need a tool to stay on top of everything. The upcoming product release of PadsPass will offer a centralised platform for tracking a pet’s health and travel information, making it purrfect for senior pets.

1. Centralised Health Records With PadsPass, all health information, including vet appointments, medications, and medical history, is stored in one easily accessible location. Pet sitters can be granted temporary guardianship for the duration of the pet sit and quickly check a pet’s medical history and medications without having to sift through notes or text messages from the pet parent.

2. Medication Reminders PadsPass will be set up to send automatic medication reminders and administration confirmation, ensuring the pet sitter never misses an important dose. This is particularly crucial for senior pets who may rely on medications for conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. Too much insulin or too little insulin can make a big difference, especially in a little dog or cat. 

3. Dietary Details The pet’s digital passport stores feeding instructions, including portion sizes, feeding times, and specific dietary restrictions. This way, the sitter can easily follow the senior pet’s meal plan to the T, ensuring no mix-ups that could lead to tummy troubles.

4. Emergency Vet Information In the event of an emergency, PadsPass will provide instant access to the senior pet’s veterinary information. The sitter can view preferred clinics, previous medical treatments, and the pet parent’s emergency contact details, making sure that the pet gets timely and appropriate care.

5. Mobility and Comfort Needs PadsPass will allow pet parents to upload notes about their pet's mobility issues or special needs so sitters are aware of any limitations. This helps them create a senior-friendly environment, whether that's arranging bedding in accessible areas or ensuring short, gentle walks for senior pups.

6. Routine Management The passport also includes details about a senior pet's daily routine, from feeding schedules to potty breaks, helping sitters maintain consistency in their care.

7. Travel with Senior Pets For pet sitters who travel with their senior furiends, PadsPass ensures all travel-related documents, including vaccination records and special travel accommodations, are organised in one spot. With PadsPass, travelling with senior pets will be simplified, reducing stress for both sitter and pet.

   
   

PadsPass: Peace of Mind for Pet Parents and Pet Sitters

By using PadsPass, pet parents can ensure that their senior pets receive the best possible care while they're away. Pet sitters benefit from having all necessary information at their fingertips, reducing guesswork and minimising the risk of errors in medication or care routines. Most importantly, senior pets are given the love, attention, and proper care they deserve.

I loved caring for Ollie, he taught me so much about how senior pets keep going even when they can’t hear or see. He also made me understand the need that exists to provide and care for a senior pet, and how using technology can make a difference for the pet sitter and the pet parent.

Caring for a senior pet can be a labour of love and, with the right tools, pet sitters can make these golden years as comfortable and happy as possible for our older furiends. With PadsPass, every detail is covered, leaving more time for belly rubs, gentle walks, and cozy naps.

Ready to Simplify Senior Pet Care? 

Whether you're a pet parent or sitter, PadsPass is here to make managing senior pet health and routines effortless. Stay on top of medications, dietary needs, mobility concerns, and emergency plans—all from our easy-to-use platform in development. When it releases, you’ll be able to give your senior furiends the care and comfort they deserve with PadsPass.

Sign up for updates on our upcoming product release and be the first to try PadsPass! Your senior pets will thank you for it, one paw at a time.