Preventive Care for Aging Pets: A Practical Guide
A guide to preventive care for senior dogs and cats, covering vet visit frequency, nutrition, mobility, cognitive decline, and home safety changes.
Senior Pet Care
Ageing changes the whole care plan, not just one part of it
An older pet needs more frequent trips to the vet, often twice a year instead of once, because conditions such as kidney disease and arthritis can progress faster than owners expect between annual check-ups.
Small changes are often the first sign
Slower going up the stairs, sleeping more, a bit choosier about food: these get put down to simply getting on in years, but they're often the first visible sign of a treatable condition, worth mentioning to the vet rather than waiting until the next check-up.
At what age does a pet become a senior?
It depends on size and species. Giant dog breeds can be seniors by five or six, small dogs closer to ten, and cats around ten to twelve.
What changes most in a senior pet's care?
Check-up frequency, often bloods twice a year, a diet adjusted for lower activity or kidney support, and closer attention to joint health.