The Vintage Years:
Caring for Older Pets

A greying muzzle. A slightly slower stroll. A newfound devotion to the sunniest spot on the sofa. Older pets are some of the most loyal, gentle and downright lovely companions there are.

Here at Vintage, we have a soft spot for anything that gets better with age, and our senior patients are no exception. They do need a little extra care to stay comfortable and happy, though. This guide will help you spot the changes worth acting on and make your pet’s golden years truly golden.

The 30-second version

1. Old age is not a disease. ‘Slowing down’ is often caused by something treatable, such as arthritis pain.
2. Drinking more, weight changes, stiffness, new lumps and confusion are all worth a check-up.
3. Many vets recommend senior pets are checked every six months.
4. Never give your pet human painkillers. They can be very dangerous.
5. Small changes at home, like rugs, ramps and comfy beds, can make a big difference.

When does a pet become a ‘senior’?

There’s no single birthday when a pet becomes ‘old’, but as a rough guide:

• Dogs are often considered senior from around 7 to 8 years of age. Large and giant breeds tend to age sooner, and small breeds later.
• Cats are commonly considered senior from around 11 years of age, with ‘mature’ changes often starting from about 7.
• Rabbits, small pets and birds age at very different rates depending on the species. Some parrots can live for decades.

The most important thing to remember is this: old age is not a disease. ‘Slowing down’ is often put down to age when it’s actually caused by something treatable, such as pain from arthritis. Many older pets get a real spring back in their step once an underlying problem is diagnosed and managed.

Did you know? Cats are living longer than ever Thanks to better nutrition and veterinary care, many cats now live well into their late teens, and some even reach their twenties. That’s a lot of naps in the sun.

Vet advice Not sure what life stage your pet is at? Ask us at your next visit and we’ll talk you through what to expect.

Changes worth acting on

Older pets are brilliant at quietly adapting to discomfort, so it’s often small changes at home that give the first clues. You know your pet better than anyone, so trust your instincts. The signs below can have many causes, some minor and some more serious, so they always need a vet to look into them.

• Drinking or weeing more than usual. This can be linked to conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes or hormonal problems (for example, an overactive thyroid in cats).
• Weight loss or weight gain, even if their appetite seems normal.
• Stiffness, being slow to get up, reluctance to use stairs, jump into the car or onto furniture, or a cat who no longer uses the high spots they used to love.
• Bad breath, dropping food or chewing on one side, which can point to dental disease.
• New lumps or bumps. Not all lumps are serious, but they all deserve to be checked. Note where they are and roughly how big, and take a photo with a coin next to it for scale.
• Confusion or changes in routine, such as getting stuck in corners, pacing, waking and crying at night, or toileting accidents. These can be signs of cognitive dysfunction (sometimes called ‘doggy dementia’) or other conditions.
• Changes in vision or hearing, such as cloudy eyes, bumping into things, or not responding when called.
• Coughing, breathlessness or tiring quickly on walks.
• Night-time yowling in older cats, which can be linked to conditions including high blood pressure and thyroid problems.
• Changes in appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Vet advice If you notice any of these changes, book a check-up and seek professional veterinary advice. Keeping a short diary of what you’ve noticed, and when, can be really helpful for your vet.

Your five-minute monthly at-home check

A quick once-over each month helps you spot changes early. Pick a calm moment (with treats on standby) and work through this list. If anything has changed since last month, give us a call.

• ☐ Run your hands gently over their whole body, feeling for any new lumps, bumps or sore spots
• ☐ Lift their lips and check their teeth and gums, and give their breath a (brave) sniff
• ☐ Look at their eyes and ears for redness, discharge, cloudiness or a bad smell
• ☐ Check their nails, which can grow long when older pets are less active
• ☐ Weigh them, or check their body shape using the rib test in our Food for Thought guide
• ☐ Think about whether their drinking, appetite or toilet habits have changed
• ☐ Watch them walk, climb stairs and get up from lying down

Arthritis: the hidden ache

Arthritis is very common in older dogs and cats, and it’s often missed because pets rarely cry out in pain. Instead, they simply do less. You might notice your pet sleeping more, lagging behind on walks, licking their joints, being grumpier when touched, or, in cats, grooming less and missing the litter tray.

Picture an older cat who used to leap onto the kitchen worktop and now sits at the bottom looking up at it. That’s not laziness. That’s very often a sign of sore joints, and it’s well worth a check-up.

The good news is that there’s a lot that can help, and your vet can put together a plan that suits your pet. Things you can do at home include:

• Keeping them at a healthy weight, which takes pressure off sore joints
• Little and often exercise: several shorter, gentle walks are usually better than one long one
• Non-slip rugs on laminate or tiled floors
• Ramps or steps to help with cars, sofas and beds
• A supportive, padded bed in a warm, draught-free spot
• A low-sided litter tray for cats, placed where they don’t need to climb stairs to reach it

Important: never give your pet human painkillers

Painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin can be very dangerous to pets, even in small amounts, and paracetamol can be fatal to cats. Pain relief for pets must only ever be prescribed by a vet, at a dose worked out for your individual pet.

Some owners like to use joint supplements. Speak to us before starting one, so we can check it’s suitable for your pet and won’t interfere with any other treatment.

Vet advice If you think your pet may be stiff or sore, seek professional veterinary advice. Pain is very treatable, and nobody should have to just ‘put up with it’.

Keeping older pets active (gently)

Staying active keeps joints moving, muscles strong and minds sharp. The trick is to adapt activities to suit your pet, rather than stopping altogether.

For older dogs

• Swap one long walk for a few shorter ones, and let them set the pace
• Try ‘sniff walks’, where the aim is exploring smells rather than covering distance. Sniffing is brilliant exercise for the brain
• Hide treats around the house or garden for gentle scent games
• Some dogs benefit from swimming or hydrotherapy, but always check with your vet first

For older cats

• Short, gentle play sessions with wand or feather toys
• Steps or low furniture so they can still reach their favourite high spots
• Puzzle feeders to keep their minds busy

Vet advice Before starting any new exercise plan with an older pet, seek professional veterinary advice to make sure it’s right for them.

Senior health checks

A lot can change in an older pet in a short space of time, so many vets recommend that senior pets are checked every six months rather than once a year. These check-ups give us the chance to spot problems early, when they’re often easier to manage. Depending on your pet, your vet may also recommend blood tests, a urine test or a blood pressure check.

Making home comfortable

• Food: some older pets benefit from a diet designed for seniors. Change food gradually, and speak to us first if your pet has a medical condition.
• Water: put out several water bowls around the home. Some cats prefer drinking from a water fountain.
• Easy access: keep food, water, beds and litter trays on one level if stairs are becoming tricky.
• Grooming: older pets may struggle to groom themselves, so gentle brushing helps, and it’s lovely bonding time too.
• Keep their minds busy: sniffing games, puzzle feeders and gentle training all help. And yes, old dogs absolutely can learn new tricks.
• Keep them warm: older pets often feel the cold more. Some thin-coated older dogs appreciate a coat in winter.
• Keep routines steady: older pets often find comfort in a predictable day.

Quality of life, and the conversations that matter

There may come a time when you start to wonder how your pet is really feeling. These are some of the hardest moments of being a pet owner, and you don’t have to face them alone.

Some owners find it helpful to keep a simple ‘good days and bad days’ diary, noting things like appetite, mobility, interest in favourite activities and how settled their pet seems. This can make it easier to see patterns over time.

Vet advice Whenever you’re ready to talk, our team is here to listen and to discuss all the options with you honestly, kindly and without any pressure.