Senior Care for Pets

Since pets age at a much faster rate than humans, visiting the veterinarian every six months would be the equivalent of doing a complete physical examination every 3-4 years. It's important that your pet doesn't miss their routine visits so we can ensure they're receiving the care they need. To book your pet's next appointment, please contact us at (416) 231-9293.

When is my pet considered a senior?

Smaller breeds of dogs tend to age at a slower rate than large and giant breeds. However, the changes that signal the onset of aging generally start to happen at around 6 to 8 years of age in dogs and around 9 years of age in cats. Most veterinarians agree that dogs are considered to be senior or geriatric by their 7th birthday, while cats that are more than 10 years old are considered elderly.

What are some signs of aging?

Depending on your pet, you'll slowly start to notice some early signs of aging, including a change in the coat or hair, such as grey hair in the coat, particularly around the chin or face, a change in the texture of the hair, or thinning of the hair/coat. Their skin also becomes less elastic and more fragile, making it either drier or greasier, depending on the pet. It is common for a pet's claws to become drier and more brittle with age, and nails may break off more easily or become thicker and somewhat misshapen.

What is the purpose of a senior pet exam?

A geriatric examination is a checkup to assess your pet's overall health and well-being. Visits include a complete physical examination and will also include periodic evaluations of blood, urine, and fecal samples, as well as other tests depending on the individual patient. Since many age-related health issues can be difficult to spot in advance by the average owner, senior pets should visit us at least twice a year. Older pets are more susceptible to health conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, osteoarthritis, gingivitis, gum disease, and obesity. Early diagnosis allows us to properly identify and treat these health conditions before they have a detrimental impact on your pet's health.