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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For most senior pets, the core recommendation is simple: the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) advises that dogs older than 7 years and cats older than 10 be examined by a veterinarian every six months, including pets that appear healthy. Beyond that schedule, care is not one-size-fits-all. Which tests to run, what to feed, whether to use supplements, and how to manage pain all depend on the individual animal, and your veterinarian is the person who decides those details.
This guide explains what changes with age, what to bring to a senior visit, and how to make daily life more comfortable for an older dog or cat without assuming every pet needs the same workup or products.
How often a senior pet should see the veterinarian
AAHA’s October 1, 2024 owner article, Supporting Your Senior Pet: Veterinary Care Recommendations, sets the practical thresholds of six-month examinations for dogs over seven and cats over ten. Those ages are guideline markers, not diagnoses. A small or giant breed, a cat with chronic kidney disease, or a dog already on long-term medication may need a different rhythm, and the veterinarian can set that interval.
Between visits, the main job of a caregiver is noticing change. A healthy-looking pet can still be developing a problem, which is why the six-month visit is recommended even when nothing seems wrong.
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What a senior checkup covers
A senior visit is broader than blood work. AAHA’s owner guidance describes a nose-to-tail physical examination, a dental assessment, a review of diet and eating habits, and a discussion of behavior at home that may point to pain, illness, or loss of vision or hearing. A detailed history matters as much as the exam itself.
Bring a written record of changes in any of these areas:
- Eating and drinking: appetite, how fast food disappears, drinking more or less water, chewing or dropping food.
- Movement: reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or get up; slipping; stiffness after rest; a changed gait.
- Elimination: urinating or defecating more often, straining, accidents indoors, or changes in stool.
- Grooming and appearance: matted or unkempt coat, nails growing long, a rough or changed coat.
- Play, attitude, and sleep: less interest in toys or walks, irritability, restlessness at night, or sleeping much more.
- Vision and hearing: bumping into objects, reluctance in dim light, not responding to name or sounds.
Screening tests: a reference, not a checklist
AAHA’s 2023 Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, with introduction published December 13, 2022, describe senior care as a tailored plan built around the animal’s physiology. The guidelines call themselves an evidence-guided framework, not an all-inclusive protocol. Their diagnostic table gives reference intervals that a veterinarian can adapt to each patient’s history, examination findings, risks, and symptoms.
The intervals in that table are summarized below. Read them as the upper frame of a conversation with your veterinarian, not a package to order at every visit.
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| Test or screen | Dogs (AAHA reference interval) | Cats (AAHA reference interval) | Notes from the same table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive CBC, chemistry, and urinalysis | Every 6–12 months | Every 6–12 months | A general reference frequency, not a population statistic. |
| Fecal parasite testing | 1–4 times yearly, depending on prevention and lifestyle | 1–2 times yearly, depending on health and lifestyle | Frequency depends on the animal’s exposure and prevention plan. |
| Tick-borne disease testing | Annually | Not applicable | Listed as not applicable for cats in this table. |
| Heartworm testing | Annually | Not stated in this table | The table points to separate feline heartworm guidance. |
| T4 (thyroid) | Annually | Annually, strongly recommended | Relevant to the individual animal’s clinical picture. |
| Blood pressure | Annually | Annually, strongly recommended; every 6–12 months in healthy geriatric cats | Measured in clinic; the interval reflects the table’s reference. |
| Imaging | When clinically indicated; breed-specific screening may be appropriate | When clinically indicated | Chosen for a specific region of interest. |
| ECG, urine protein:creatinine ratio, retroviral testing, NT-proBNP | Based on risk or clinical circumstances | Based on risk or clinical circumstances | Not presented as routine annual tests in the table. |
Two practical points follow from the table. First, a test your neighbor’s senior dog had is not automatically the right one for your pet. Second, the timing of a test can be shifted by what the veterinarian finds on examination. A dog with a new cough or a cat drinking much more water will be tested for those reasons, not because a calendar says so.
The physical exam is where many changes are found
During a healthy-senior evaluation, AAHA recommends close attention to the eyes, mouth, spine, joints, muscles, digits, abdomen, and chest. Pain scales and mobility checklists can help the veterinarian score movement, which is often more reliable than an owner’s impression alone.
Caregiver video is useful here. A short recording of your pet walking across the floor, rising from a bed, or jumping onto a sofa can show changes that are hard to reproduce in a clinic room. Film from the side and front, and keep the clip brief and dated.
Joint disease is easy to miss in cats. AAHA’s 2022 guideline section reports that more than 60% of cats have osteoarthritis in at least one joint despite the absence of crepitus, which is the grating or clicking that a clinician can feel during manipulation. That figure comes from AAHA’s section and the studies it cites; it is not a statement about any individual cat. The practical lesson is that a cat who seems fine on the exam table may still be limited at home.
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Nutrition: body condition first, then diet
Nutrition in older pets depends on what the animal’s body is doing, not on age alone. AAHA advises monitoring both body condition and muscle condition over time, because aging, disease, weight gain, and muscle loss each change nutritional needs. A pet can be a normal weight and still be losing muscle, which is why a number on the scale is not enough.
How energy needs change
AAHA’s 2022 guideline section says that in dogs, maintenance energy requirements generally decline over life. In cats, requirements decline through about age 10 and may then rise, though published feline energy data vary considerably. AAHA also notes that AAFCO does not currently have senior-specific nutrition guidelines. A “senior” label on a food bag is therefore not a regulatory assurance of a particular calorie or nutrient profile.
Diet options a veterinarian may consider
AAHA’s owner article identifies three broad options that may fit different needs: lower-calorie, higher-fiber diets; higher-protein diets; and therapeutic diets prescribed for a medical condition. These are options, not blanket instructions. Restricting calories, raising protein, or adding supplements can be wrong for a pet with kidney, heart, liver, or other disease, and it can be wrong for a pet that is already losing weight. Ask your veterinarian which of these, if any, fits your animal before changing food.
Pain and mobility changes need an assessment
Arthritis and dental disease are two of the most common causes of pain in older pets, and both can be present without obvious signs. A pet that stops using the stairs, hesitates before jumping, licks one joint, or sleeps in a different spot may be reacting to pain. AAHA’s guidance is that these changes deserve veterinary attention rather than being written off as aging.
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What the veterinary plan may include
For joint or mobility changes, AAHA describes options a veterinarian may direct, including joint supplements, prescription anti-inflammatory or pain medication, weight management, and rehabilitation exercises. Each option has its own risks and monitoring needs, and some are not suitable for every animal. Do not give a human pain reliever or an over-the-counter product without asking the veterinarian first.
Home changes that improve access
Home adaptations do not treat the cause of pain, but they reduce strain and make daily movement safer. AAHA names the following as possible modifications for mobility-compromised pets:
- Pet ramp for senior dogs or stairs: useful for getting onto beds, couches, or into vehicles. A ramp must be stable, have a grip surface, and suit the dog’s size and gait; a dog that is too weak or too large for a ramp may need a lift or a sling instead.
- Low-sided litter boxes: reduce the step-over needed to enter, and matter most for cats with joint pain or weight gain.
- Nonslip floors: area rugs with secure backing or runners on slick hard floors help a pet keep its footing.
- Orthopedic bedding: supportive beds can ease pressure on joints, though comfort varies by animal.
- Harnesses or slings: help with standing, walking, and going outdoors for dogs with weak hindquarters; use them with guidance on fit and handling.
Dental care is part of comfort
Dental disease can cause pain that changes eating behavior long before it is obvious. AAHA’s owner guidance includes a professional dental assessment and cleaning, dental radiographs where indicated, toothbrushing or a dental diet, and monitoring for bad breath, difficulty eating, facial swelling, or pawing at the mouth. Any of those signs warrants a call to your veterinarian, because some dental problems are not visible without X-rays.
Cognitive and behavior changes
Confusion, anxiety, and personality changes are not automatically normal aging. A pet that wanders at night, stares at walls, stops recognizing family members, or becomes unusually clingy or irritable should be evaluated. Some of these changes have medical causes such as pain, thyroid disease, vision or hearing loss, or other conditions that a veterinarian can investigate.
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AAHA lists prescription medications where appropriate, along with enrichment such as puzzles, toys, and interactive play. Enrichment is a supportive measure that can help a pet stay engaged. It does not replace an assessment of the underlying cause.
Symptoms that merit a call, not a wait
Age is not a diagnosis. The following changes should be discussed with a veterinarian rather than attributed to getting older:
- New confusion, anxiety, or altered behavior
- Weight loss, including gradual loss that is easy to miss
- Increased or decreased thirst
- Appetite changes, including skipping meals or eating much less
- Reduced mobility or reluctance to move
- Wounds, lumps, or sores that do not heal
Vaccines and parasite prevention continue
Senior pets still need individualized vaccination and parasite prevention. AAHA gives rabies and canine distemper as examples of core vaccines and mentions year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. The right schedule depends on species, where you live, lifestyle, and your veterinarian’s advice. Older age does not mean stopping prevention, and it is not a reason to start a vaccine schedule without a discussion.
Preparing for the senior visit
A useful visit starts before you arrive. Several days before the appointment, write down what has changed and when you first noticed it. Include medications, supplements, and any food brand or treat the pet is eating. Bring your video clips, and note whether the pet is at its normal self in the clinic or seems different there. If a symptom is intermittent, record how often it happens and what seems to trigger it.
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Ask the veterinarian to explain which tests they recommend and why, what they are looking for, and when the plan will be reviewed. A good plan states what to monitor at home, what change would prompt an earlier visit, and when the next review is due.
Why individualized care matters
AAHA’s 2023 guidelines state: “The senior dog or cat requires a tailored healthcare plan including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment protocols that are specific to the aging animal’s physiologic needs.” That sentence is the reason this article avoids a universal checklist. Your pet’s plan should be built from its own body, history, and daily life, and revised as those change.
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