S
Sapphire
Guest
My little chin was about 6 mos. old when we adopted him. The years have flown by and he is now about 15 yrs old!
I'd love suggestions/tips about caring for an older chin.
Are there adaptations that might help him get around easier?
Things that have been changing:
* eyesight - depth perception
* amount of exercise/joints
He doesn't seem to be judging distances as accurately as he did. He seems to be over-estimating when he hops into his bath or into my arms; or not anticipating a drop between objects of the same height (e.g. the top of his house and a vertical log - about a 6-8" plop to the bottom). But the next time I see him, he jumps from the floor, bounces off the walls, by-passing the middle levels, onto the top ledge, like an acrobat. There are times when he looks like he's doing more "feeling" of objects than seeing... but it's hard to tell. I think he can still see, just not as well. He seems to do better when he has a night light.
All in all, he has been in good health, aside from occasional tummy troubles. He keeps to his regular bath schedule, greets us at varying times during the day, eats, naps, chews, enjoys scratchies, keeps watch, rearranges items in his cage, etc. - all according to his regular routine. He's not as energetic or spry as he was when he was young (but then, neither am I).
He doesn't ask to exercise outside his cage as often as he did (he is usually willing to be persuaded to be taken out) and play time is not as long anymore. However, when he is out he runs, plays, investigates, sits on me, will be petted and finger-groomed and - I think most indicatively - does a medley from his little running/"happy dance"/bouncing off the walls/"popcorn" jumps routine. After this and his bath, he's ready for a good nap.
Although he doesn't come out and play as often, he will be petted inside his cage and enjoys scratchies several times a day. I try to take a cue from him about whether or not it's a "romping" play day. It's not easy to tell what is enough exercise, but not too much.
Periodically, he seems a bit creakier than usual. The vet recommended I give him a dose of Metacam for a few days. That seems to help a lot.
Thanks!
I'd love suggestions/tips about caring for an older chin.
Are there adaptations that might help him get around easier?
Things that have been changing:
* eyesight - depth perception
* amount of exercise/joints
He doesn't seem to be judging distances as accurately as he did. He seems to be over-estimating when he hops into his bath or into my arms; or not anticipating a drop between objects of the same height (e.g. the top of his house and a vertical log - about a 6-8" plop to the bottom). But the next time I see him, he jumps from the floor, bounces off the walls, by-passing the middle levels, onto the top ledge, like an acrobat. There are times when he looks like he's doing more "feeling" of objects than seeing... but it's hard to tell. I think he can still see, just not as well. He seems to do better when he has a night light.
All in all, he has been in good health, aside from occasional tummy troubles. He keeps to his regular bath schedule, greets us at varying times during the day, eats, naps, chews, enjoys scratchies, keeps watch, rearranges items in his cage, etc. - all according to his regular routine. He's not as energetic or spry as he was when he was young (but then, neither am I).
He doesn't ask to exercise outside his cage as often as he did (he is usually willing to be persuaded to be taken out) and play time is not as long anymore. However, when he is out he runs, plays, investigates, sits on me, will be petted and finger-groomed and - I think most indicatively - does a medley from his little running/"happy dance"/bouncing off the walls/"popcorn" jumps routine. After this and his bath, he's ready for a good nap.
Although he doesn't come out and play as often, he will be petted inside his cage and enjoys scratchies several times a day. I try to take a cue from him about whether or not it's a "romping" play day. It's not easy to tell what is enough exercise, but not too much.
Periodically, he seems a bit creakier than usual. The vet recommended I give him a dose of Metacam for a few days. That seems to help a lot.
Thanks!
