Puppy vaccination guide
When to start, which vaccines matter and how to keep your puppy safe until the course is complete.
Senior pets
Senior pet wellness
Older pets often slow down so gradually that the changes are easy to miss. With regular check-ups and a few adjustments at home, many senior dogs and cats stay comfortable and active well into old age.
When is a pet a senior?
Most cats and small to medium dogs are considered senior from around seven to eight years old. Large and giant breed dogs age faster and may reach this stage from five or six. It is a good time to move from yearly to six-monthly check-ups.
What a senior check-up includes
- A full examination, including weight, heart, joints, eyes and teeth.
- Blood and urine tests to look for early kidney disease, diabetes, liver problems and, in cats, an overactive thyroid.
- A blood pressure check where needed, especially in older cats.
- Time to talk about anything you have noticed at home, however small.
Many conditions of older age can be managed well for years when they are found early.
Changes worth mentioning
- drinking more water or urinating more often;
- weight loss or weight gain;
- stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump, use stairs or go for walks;
- bad breath, dropping food or chewing on one side;
- new lumps or bumps;
- restlessness at night, getting lost in familiar places or changes in personality.
It is easy to put these down to "just getting old", but several have a treatable cause.
Comfortable joints
Arthritis is very common in older dogs and cats, and cats in particular hide it well. You can help at home:
- keep your pet at a healthy weight, which is one of the most effective things you can do for sore joints;
- offer shorter, more frequent walks instead of one long one;
- add rugs on slippery floors, ramps or steps up to favourite spots, and a litter tray with a low side for cats;
- provide a soft, warm bed away from draughts.
Never give human painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin to pets. They can cause serious poisoning, especially in cats. We can prescribe pain relief that is safe for your pet.
Food and water
Senior diets are usually easier to digest and adjusted for a slower metabolism. Some pets need special diets for kidney or joint health. Make any change gradually over a week, and keep fresh water easy to reach.
Keeping the mind active
Gentle play, short training sessions, puzzle feeders and new smells on walks keep older pets engaged. A predictable daily routine also helps pets whose sight or hearing is fading.
Quality of life
As pets age, we will help you keep track of what matters: eating, moving comfortably, resting well and enjoying their usual pleasures. Talking about it early makes difficult decisions easier if they ever come.
This article is general guidance for pet owners. Every pet is different, so ask us about your own pet before changing its care.
