As pets grow older, their healthcare needs change. Senior pet care at Agave Grove Animal Hospital is designed to detect age-related conditions early, manage discomfort, and help your dog or cat remain comfortable and engaged through their later years. Dogs are generally considered senior at around seven years of age, although this varies with the size of the dog, and cats at around ten.
Many changes that owners attribute to aging, such as stiffness, sleeping more, increased thirst, or a thinning coat, are signs of conditions that can be treated or managed. Identifying these conditions early is the central goal of senior care.
What Senior Care Includes
- Examinations every six months. Age-related conditions can progress quickly, and more frequent wellness examinations allow us to identify changes sooner.
- Screening bloodwork and urinalysis, at least annually, to detect kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and liver changes before symptoms appear. See in-house diagnostics.
- Blood pressure monitoring, which is particularly important for cats with kidney or thyroid disease.
- Arthritis and pain management, including anti-inflammatory medications, monthly injectable therapies, joint supplements, weight management, and practical adjustments at home.
- Dental care planned with your senior pet’s overall health in mind. See dental care.
- Cognitive and behavioral support for changes such as night waking, disorientation, and anxiety.
- Nutrition guidance to support muscle mass, kidney health, and a healthy weight.
- Quality-of-life planning that begins well before it becomes urgent. See end-of-life care.
Bringing your dog in for a senior visit? See what to expect at a senior wellness visit and how to prepare.
Signs That Warrant a Visit
- Increased drinking or urination, or accidents in the house or outside the litter box
- Weight loss despite a normal appetite, or a noticeable increase in appetite
- Stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump or use stairs, or a new limp
- Coughing, tiring easily on walks, or faster breathing at rest
- New lumps, bad breath, or changes in the coat
- Restlessness at night, staring, or confusion
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I prepare for my senior dog’s wellness visit?
We send you a Senior Wellness Pre-Visit Screening Checklist once the appointment is scheduled. Before the visit, complete it with what is most important to you, take short videos of anything you would like us to see, and bring a list of every medication and supplement, including doses, and a fresh stool sample if you can. See what to expect at a senior wellness visit for the full guide.
Should arthritis be treated in an older dog?
Yes. Effective pain management is one of the most meaningful improvements available to a senior pet’s quality of life, and current treatment options are more effective and better tolerated than in the past. Age alone is not a reason to leave discomfort untreated.
My older cat is hiding more. Is that normal?
Hiding, reduced grooming, and reluctance to jump are common ways that cats show pain or illness. Older cats are prone to kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, and arthritis, all of which can be managed when identified. We recommend scheduling an examination.
Can senior visits take place at home?
Yes. For pets with mobility limitations or anxiety, a house call is often the more comfortable option. Examinations, bloodwork, and many treatments are available through our mobile veterinary care service.
How will I know when it is time to consider end-of-life care?
This is a conversation we are glad to have with you. We use quality-of-life assessments together, revisit them as your pet’s condition changes, and support whatever decision you make. Please see our end-of-life care page for more information.
