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Elderly Pet Care
Supporting your elderly pet can make a big difference to their quality of life. 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.
Supporting your elderly pet can make a big difference to their quality of life. Pets can age in different ways depending on their species, size, and breed. Dogs and cats can be considered a senior at different times, so it’s often easier to tell by signs of ageing instead, such as changes in behaviour, mobility, or appetite.
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.
What we can help with
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Helping your elderly pet
It can be stressful to see your pet start to slow down as they get older. The best thing to do for them is to make sure they are as comfortable as possible during these times.
What we can help with
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.
Dental Exams And 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.
Mobility Assessments And 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.
Questions about
this service
How can I tell my pet is a senior?
Pets can age in different ways depending on their species, size, and breed. Dogs and cats can be considered senior at different times, so it’s often easier to tell by signs of ageing instead, such as changes in behaviour, mobility, or appetite.
For dogs, the age where they enter a senior stage can vary. Larger breeds may be considered seniors as early as 6 years old, while smaller breeds might not show signs of ageing until they’re around 9 or 10.
For cats, we often think of their ageing in life stages:
- Middle-aged: 7–10 years
- Senior: 11–14 years
- Super senior: 15+ years
If you are not sure whether your pet is entering their senior stage, or would just like specific advice on how to support them as they grow older, we're happy to help.
My senior pet seems anxious before bedtime. What can I do to help them relax?
If your elderly pet seems anxious before bedtime, try creating a calm environment with comfortable bedding and a quiet space. Maintain a consistent bedtime routine, and consider gentle petting or calming aids like pheromone sprays. Regular, gentle exercise can help as well. If anxiety persists, you can contact us and we can get your pet seen by one of our vets to rule out any underlying health issues.
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.
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.
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