--- title: Caring for a Senior Dog or Cat description: What to set up and watch for once your dog or cat reaches their senior years. category: life tags: [pets, senior-pets, veterinary-care] version: "1.0" updated: 2026-08-22 sources: - name: AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats url: https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/ - name: Evaluating the Healthy Senior Pet, AAHA url: https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/evaluating-the-healthy-senior-pet/ - name: Wellness Examination in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals url: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/wellness-examination-in-dogs --- Pets are usually considered "senior" around 7 years old for dogs (earlier for large breeds) and 10-11 for cats, though it varies by size and breed. The core shift in senior care is catching small changes early — pain, weight loss, confusion, or organ decline — before they become emergencies. This checklist walks you through what to set up and watch for once your pet hits that stage. ## Get a Baseline - [ ] Book a full senior wellness exam `{essential}` Most vets recommend twice-yearly visits for senior pets instead of the usual annual one, since conditions progress faster at this age - [ ] Ask for baseline bloodwork and urinalysis `{essential}` This catches early kidney, liver, thyroid, and diabetes changes while they're still manageable, and gives you numbers to compare against later - [ ] Get a body condition and muscle mass score Losing muscle while weight looks "normal" is a common early sign of illness in older pets - [ ] Discuss breed- and species-specific risks with your vet `{when: breed-and-species-specific-risks}` Large dog breeds face different joint and cancer risks than small ones; cats mask illness more than dogs - [ ] Update vaccines and parasite prevention based on lifestyle, not just age `{when: vet-recommends}` Only if your vet says your pet's risk profile still warrants them - [ ] Ask about a dental exam under anesthesia if teeth haven't been checked recently Dental disease is extremely common in older pets and often hides pain ## Set Up Home and Routine - [ ] Switch to a senior-appropriate diet if your vet recommends one `{when: vet-recommends}` Needs vary hugely by condition (kidney disease, obesity, muscle loss), so don't just buy "senior food" off the shelf without guidance - [ ] Add non-slip rugs or mats on slick floors Arthritic joints make hardwood and tile dangerous - [ ] Add ramps or steps to beds, couches, and cars `{when: joint-issues}` Especially for dogs with hip or spine issues, or cats that used to jump easily - [ ] Move food, water, and litter boxes to easy-to-reach spots on the main floor Avoid stairs if joint pain is an issue - [ ] Switch to a low-sided litter box `{when: cat-with-arthritis}` For cats with arthritis, high sides become a real barrier - [ ] Set a consistent daily routine for feeding, walks, and medication Predictability reduces stress, especially for pets with early cognitive decline - [ ] Keep exercise gentle and regular rather than stopping it Short, frequent walks or play sessions help maintain muscle and joint mobility better than none at all ## Watch for Changes - [ ] Track weight monthly at home or at the vet `{essential}` Unexplained weight loss or gain is often the first sign of a serious problem - [ ] Note any new limping, stiffness, or reluctance to jump/climb stairs Early sign of arthritis, very treatable with pain management - [ ] Watch for increased thirst or urination `{essential}` Can signal diabetes, kidney disease, or Cushing's disease, all of which need prompt diagnosis - [ ] Notice confusion, pacing, house-soiling, or changed sleep-wake patterns Possible signs of cognitive dysfunction ("doggy/kitty dementia"), which has management options if caught early - [ ] Check for new lumps, bumps, or sores monthly `{essential}` Report anything new or growing to your vet promptly rather than waiting for the next checkup - [ ] Watch for bad breath, drooling, or dropping food Often means dental pain, not pickiness - [ ] Notice cloudy eyes, bumping into furniture, or missed steps Vision loss is common and manageable if you adjust the environment - [ ] Flag sudden behavior changes (aggression, hiding, increased vocalizing) `{essential}` Sudden personality shifts in older pets are usually medical, not "just getting old," and warrant a vet visit ## Manage Ongoing Conditions - [ ] Give medications on a consistent schedule Set phone reminders if managing multiple prescriptions - [ ] Keep a symptom and medication log Makes vet visits far more useful and helps catch slow trends you'd otherwise miss day to day - [ ] Ask about pain management options for arthritis `{when: diagnosed-with-arthritis}` `{essential}` Untreated chronic pain seriously erodes quality of life and often goes unrecognized because pets hide it - [ ] Groom more often if your pet can no longer self-groom well `{when: cant-self-groom}` Common in arthritic or overweight cats, and matting can hide skin problems - [ ] Trim nails more frequently Senior pets often walk less and wear nails down less naturally - [ ] Schedule follow-up bloodwork as your vet recommends for any diagnosed condition Chronic conditions like kidney disease need regular monitoring to adjust treatment ## Plan Ahead - [ ] Talk to your vet about quality-of-life indicators before a crisis hits `{essential}` Having this conversation early means you're not making end-of-life decisions purely under emergency pressure - [ ] Know your nearest emergency vet's location and hours `{essential}` Senior pets are more prone to sudden emergencies (bloat, seizures, collapse), and knowing where to go before you need it saves critical time - [ ] Set aside or budget for likely vet costs Chronic condition management and diagnostics add up; some pet insurance won't newly cover pre-existing conditions once diagnosed - [ ] Discuss in-home hospice or palliative care options if a serious diagnosis comes in `{when: serious-diagnosis}` Not every pet needs this, but knowing it exists helps if the time comes - [ ] Talk with family or household members about end-of-life wishes and decision-making Having this conversation before an emergency avoids added stress later