Senior pets are those for whom some age-related health changes are occurring. These may become evident in their mobility, level of activity, appetite, and body condition.
The age at which a pet becomes ‘senior’ depends on their species and breed but, in broad terms, cats and small breed dogs may be considered senior from 8-10 years of age, medium to large breed dogs from 6-8 years and giant breed dogs at around 5 years. It’s wise to know that weight gain can age your pet prematurely.
Book a senior pet consultation
The annual vaccination appointment is a good opportunity for the vet to check for any obvious problems, but many of the early signs of ageing are subtle and more likely to picked up by an owner. Signs to look out for and bring to our attention throughout the year include:
When these warning signs are detected promptly, we have an opportunity to investigate the cause and improve the pet’s quality of life through:
Many of the common medical problems that affect senior pets can be successfully managed, so please book a consultation with one of our vets at East Grinstead if you have any concerns about your older dog or cat.
Book a senior pet consultation