Senior Pet Care

Specialized attention to keep aging pets comfortable, active, and thriving.

Caring for a senior pet is different and we understand that they require a more gentle and strategic approach to wellness.

At MTCAC, we are dedicated to providing a comprehensive wellness program tailored to each senior pet to help them maintain their health and comfort as they enter into their golden years.

Better Quality of Life

Our compassionate team will take a thorough and preventative approach to boost their quality of life and to help extend their years. There are many things we can do to make your senior pets’ golden years rewarding and enjoyable.

Senior Age

In cats, they are generally considered seniors over 10 years of age.

Dogs will be considered seniors based on their breed and size. Small and toy breeds (less than 20 lbs) around 10-12 years old. Medium breeds (20-50 lbs) around 8-10 years old. Large breeds (50-90 pounds) around 7-9 lbs. Giant breeds (over 90  pounds) around 6-7 years old.

We recommend bringing senior pets for an exam every six months, even if they don’t have pre-existing health conditions. Pets age much more rapidly than we do, and their health can change quickly. We want to help catch any health problem as early as possible to give your pet the best chance to avoid common diseases!   Every 6 months

Diagnostic Testing Senior pets are at a higher risk for medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid imbalance, obesity, tumors or cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, chronic pain/arthritis, and cognitive diseases or anxiety. We can perform diagnostic testing, such as complete blood counts, urinalyses, fecal tests, and various imaging modalities, so we can detect these diseases that commonly affect older pets. 

Symptoms that could be a concern for your senior pet are:

  • Noticeable decrease in activity or sleeping more than usual
  • Decreasing appetite
  • Bad breath, trouble eating, dropping food
  • Increased thirst
  • Straining to urinate, frequent urinary accidents,  incontinence
  • Unknown reason for losing or gaining weight
  • Frequent vomiting or spitting up water
  • Straining, diarrhea, or lack of bowel movement for more than 48 hrs
  • Mobility issues or noticeable joint pain
  • Persistent skin issues (masses, sores, or scabs)
  • Hair loss (especially with scratching or itching in those areas)
  • Gagging, coughing, trouble breathing or excessive panting
  • Sudden collapse or weakness
  • Seizures, stumbling, or head tilt

AAHA Senior Care Guidelines

In addition to regular veterinary check-ups, here are a few tips to ensure your elderly dog or cat gets the care they need. Information provided from the 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines.

Consider make modifications to the home or living area to make it more comfortable and safe:
  • Elevate food and water bowls
  • Keep pets safe with barriers and gates, alerts or alarms in areas where they can get into trouble (e.g., pools and stairs), yoga mats and carpet runners, ramps, and bedding in accessible areas
  • Mobility assistance with toe grips and boots, harnesses, relocating a dog’s play or resting area closer to the door, and lower litter boxes for cats
  • Changes to decrease stress in the home: use of pheromone sprays, temperature control, access to sunlight, nightlights, sound machines, and front door signs to ask guests not to ring the doorbell  Bucket and joys-of-living lists  Checklist of local senior-friendly/recommended pet sitters, gentle groomers, daycare and boarding facilities
WE follow the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines.

Enrichment activities and mental challenges such as food puzzles or lick mats are important to keep your pet engaged and happy.

Mobility and exercise are very important, but keeping your pet active can look different as they age.  Gentle exercise helps maintain mobility in senior dogs and cats, along with stimulating their body and mind.  We recommend light exercise, like going for walks and playing on a regular basis but shorter and more frequently, taking care to avoid excessive heat.

Nutrition is very important to senior cats and dogs. They often need food that is easier to digest and has certain anti-aging nutrients and increased fiber. A properly balanced nutritional diet can boost their health, keeping them strong and present for longer.

For more detailed information on understanding and helping your senior pet, please visit the below links: