Helping your pet as they grow older

It can be hard to watch your pet slow down with age, but there’s a lot we can do to keep them feeling comfortable, happy, and pain-free.

Old age varies across breeds, with larger breeds typically showing signs of ageing earlier than smaller ones. As dogs and cats get older, they can become more prone to certain health conditions, such as arthritis, dental disease, cataracts, kidney disease, and diabetes.

Small changes at home, regular check-ups and simple treatments can make a big difference. If you’re noticing anything new or unusual — from stiff joints to changes in appetite, vision, or behaviour — please don't hesitate to reach out, we're here to help.

How we can help

Dental exams & care

During consultations, our vets assess your pet’s dental health and discuss appropriate treatment options, which may include professional cleaning or extractions to manage dental disease and reduce pain or infection.

Blood tests

We can run a range of blood tests to assess organ function, including the kidneys, liver, thyroid, and more. Some tests can be performed in-house for quick results, while others are sent to external laboratories for detailed analysis.

Ophthalmic exams

Using our ophthalmoscope, we examine the eyes for age-related changes such as lens cloudiness or cataracts. This helps determine whether the changes are normal or signs of underlying eye disease.

Mobility assessments & x-rays

We evaluate your pet’s mobility and joint health during consultations, and can use X-ray imaging to detect signs of arthritis or other degenerative joint conditions. This helps guide treatment options such as joint supplements, medications, or lifestyle changes.

What to expect

1

Reduced Mobility

If you notice your pet's mobility has reduced, it may be helpful to start them on joint supplements. Feel free to message us on WhatsApp for recommendations. Maintaining regular, short exercise sessions can make a difference. Non-slip mats are available online and in pet stores.

2

Loss of Vision

If you notice that your pet is losing some of their vision, it's best to keep them on lead when you are out on walks with them, and avoid moving furniture around, so that they do not lose their bearings.

3

Rapid Breathing

If you’ve noticed that your pet has started to breathe faster when they are asleep or following exercise, this could potentially be a sign that your pet is suffering from cardiac disease. It may be worth booking in for a consultation to have their cardiac health checked out.

3

Increased water intake

Increased drinking could be a sign of decreased renal function, if you are concerned that your pet has started drinking a lot more recently, it may be worth coming in to take bloods to check out their kidney parameters. There are many other conditions that can cause this, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc.

Questions you might have

How do you know if your senior dog/cat is suffering?

If your pet has stopped showing normal behaviour, it may be worth coming in to have them assessed by a vet to make sure they are doing alright. We can examine them to make sure they are doing ok physically, but also provide tips on how to properly care for an elderly pet.

How do I know if my senior dog/cat is suffering?

If your pet is not acting like themselves, it may be worth having them assessed by a vet to make sure there are no new health concerns. We will examine them physically and also provide tips on how to provide the best care for an elderly pet at home.

Why is my senior dog panting and clingy?

Dogs can pant and be clingy for various reasons, and sometimes this behaviour may indicate that they are in pain/uncomfortable. If this has suddenly started happening, it may be worth discussing with one of our clinical members of staff.

4.98 avg.

No worries whatsoever

I brought my senior cat Bubby to Hello Vet for dental treatment. The care she received from start to finish was truly amazing. The vet and nurses explained everything that the procedure involved. This put my mind at ease and had no worries whatsoever at leaving Bubby in their care.

Bubby’s human

Calming visit for an anxious dog

My small senior dog typically gets incredibly anxious when heading to the vet. We arrived and the environment was clean and comfortable and my fur baby had no idea we were at a vet clinic until the stethoscope came out! The Dr we saw was incredibly patient towards my dog and so kind to me with my endless questions.

KK

Comfortable cat

Suki our 13 year old cat was as comfortable as she could be and was allowed to have a sniff around the consultation room. Our vet was very cat conscious and also the politeness of the reception staff was great too.

Suki's human

Life-saving surgery

We rushed our 14-year-old pup Coco to Hello Vet on a Tuesday morning. The level of care she received was absolutely incredible. They quickly discovered her cancer and were able to remove it the very same day.

Coco’s human

Veterinary care that’s better for all of us

Better for your pet

We've redesigned vet care, from your pet's perspective. Calming care in clinics purpose-built for anxious pets.

Better for you

Instant WhatsApp advice and same-day appointments. We team up with you at every step because you know your pet best.

Better for your vet

“We built Hello Vet on the belief that fully cared-for clinicians provide better care for every pet.”

Dr. Christian LeVan, Clinical Director

Not your typical trip to the vet

Instant peace of mind

Free advice over WhatsApp, provided by our clinical team. We've saved our clients thousands in fees.

Stay by their side

We’re the UK’s first vet to let you stay with your pet during procedures, when they need you most.

Stress-free visits

Our clinics are designed by vets to keep anxious pets calm. Sunken scales, separate waiting areas, treats. Open 7 days a week.

Clear, fair pricing

Our prices are public, we share cost estimates upfront and we offer contextualised care, exploring treatment options for every budget.