As pets age, their needs change - often in subtle ways that can be easy to miss. Just like people, senior pets benefit greatly from proactive healthcare focused on early detection, comfort, and overall quality of life. With the right preventive care strategies and regular veterinary support, older pets can remain happy, active, and comfortable well into their golden years.
When Is a Pet Considered a Senior?
While it varies by species and size, most pets are considered seniors around:
Dogs: 7 years and older (large breeds may age sooner)
Cats: 10 years and older
During this stage of life, pets become more prone to chronic conditions such as arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, dental disease, and heart concerns. Preventive care becomes especially important to catch these issues early - often before noticeable symptoms appear.
Prioritize Regular Senior Wellness Exams
One of the most important steps in preventive senior pet care is scheduling routine wellness exams, ideally every six months. Senior pets age faster than humans, and health changes can happen quickly.
During a senior wellness exam, your veterinarian may:
Perform a thorough physical exam
Monitor weight and mobility changes
Check heart and lung function
Evaluate dental health
Screen for early signs of illness through bloodwork and urinalysis
These exams allow veterinarians to detect issues early, when treatment options are often more effective and less invasive.
Stay Proactive With Diagnostic Screenings
Preventive diagnostics play a key role in senior pet care. Routine bloodwork, urine testing, and blood pressure checks can reveal underlying conditions such as kidney disease, thyroid disorders, or liver changes before symptoms become severe.
Early diagnosis helps your veterinary team:
Adjust diet or medications proactively
Slow disease progression
Improve long-term comfort and quality of life
Support Mobility and Joint Health
Joint stiffness and arthritis are common in senior pets. Preventive care includes monitoring mobility and addressing discomfort early.
Ways to support joint health include:
Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce joint strain
Using joint supplements or prescribed medications when recommended
Providing orthopedic bedding and non-slip flooring at home
Encouraging gentle, regular activity
Your veterinarian can help create a plan that keeps your pet comfortable and moving safely.
Don’t Overlook Dental Health
Dental disease is extremely common in senior pets and can affect overall health, including the heart and kidneys. Preventive dental care may include:
Routine dental exams
Professional cleanings when needed
At-home dental hygiene recommendations
Healthy teeth and gums can significantly improve comfort, appetite, and longevity.
Schedule a Senior Wellness Exam Today
Preventive care is the foundation of helping senior pets live longer, healthier, and more comfortable lives. Through regular wellness exams, early diagnostic screenings, proper nutrition, and ongoing veterinary support, aging pets can continue to enjoy a high quality of life. Proactive senior pet care not only extends lifespan - it enhances the years your pet spends by your side.
Schedule a senior wellness exam at Madison Animal Care to ensure your pet receives the attentive, personalized veterinary care they deserve at every stage of life. Visit our office in Madison, Alabama, or call (256) 461-7575 today.
