Elderly pet care

It's essential to support your elderly pet, as it helps improve their quality of life. Old age varies across breeds, with larger breeds typically showing signs of ageing earlier than smaller ones. There are a few diseases that dogs and cats are more prone to as they get older: arthritis, dental disease, cataracts, kidney disease and diabetes.

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Elderly pet care

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.

Things to watch out for

Reduced Mobility

If you notice your pet has reduced mobility, it may be helpful to start them on joint supplements. Feel free to contact us through WhatsApp for recommendations. Additionally, maintaining regular, short exercise sessions on non-slippery surfaces can make a difference—non-slip mats are available online and in pet stores.

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.

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.

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 about
this service

Find answers to common questions about Hello Vet’s services, or ask us directly on Whatsapp.

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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.