Most people don’t realise it but dogs and cats are classified as senior when they reach 7 years of age. Our senior pets require special attention to help keep them on all four paws and allow them to live a quality life.

A yearly check is essential for your ageing friend. Much can change over a year (equivalent to 6-8 years in humans) and we aim to pick up on any changes and act quickly.

These changes may be obvious such as accidents around the house, hearing problems or stiff legs. Beyond the changes you can see, there can be much more going on internally, such as a slowing metabolism and changing of nutritional requirements.

Here are a few things you might notice at home:

Changes in appetite or thirst
Increasing or decreasing weight
Loss of housetraining
Difficulty climbing stairs or getting into the car
A cough
New lumps
Bad breath
Changes in sleeping patterns
Occasional vomiting or diarrhoea

It is easy to put any one of the above signs down to 'getting old', however any of these symptoms may indicate an underlying age related disease - many of which can be treated.

Blood and urine tests, blood pressure checks, eye checks, arthritis checks and weight checks are all important for a senior pet. We look for changes in trends over the senior years and adjust treatment programs and nutrition as necessary.

If you want to help your senior pet age gracefully make sure you ask us for more information. After the many years of joy they have brought you, you owe it to them!