Support for Senior Pets: Caring for Your Golden Oldie

While they’ll always be your puppy or kitten, pets age faster than we’d like. As their muzzles gray and their eyes turn cloudy, a senior pet’s health and care needs change, too.

Fortunately, supporting these changes, inside and out, is easy with simple modifications. Here are some ways to improve your senior pet’s environment and adjust their daily routine for better comfort, happier days, and a greater quality of life.

No matter how much love, healthy pet food, and veterinary care we give them, dogs and cats age more rapidly than we do.

Dogs are generally classified as seniors when they are 7 years old. However, this varies greatly by size. Large and giant breed dogs age more rapidly, while small and toy-breed dogs may not reach senior status until they are 10 years or older.

Because there is less size difference among cats, any cat over 10 years old is considered a senior.

Your home is your pet’s safe and familiar space. As senior pets lose their vision, hearing, or mobility, this level of comfort is especially important. Modifications in and around your home can help senior pets feel at ease, no matter what age-related changes they’re going through. Try making the following adjustments to support your senior pet:

• Place rugs over slippery floors — Arthritic or weak senior pets may be unable to grip smooth floors. Creating a pathway with rugs, yoga mats, or nonslip flooring helps protect their independence and prevents painful falls.

• Adjust feeding and water stations to reduce strain — Raised feeding dishes prevent pets from having to bend over, which puts tension on the neck, upper back, and front legs.

• Provide a low-sided litter box — Arthritic cats benefit from a step-in style box that is gentle on their joints.

• Avoid moving furniture — Pets who are blind or have vision loss may be injured or frustrated by changes to their environment.

• Block access to stairs or other unsafe areas — Use a pet gate or keep doors closed to restrict access.

• Install a fence or keep your senior dog on a leash —Older pets with hearing, vision, or mental health changes (i.e., cognitive dysfunction, a dementia-like disorder) may become disoriented and lost if left unsupervised.

• Provide pet ramps — Pet ramps are gentle on senior pets’ joints and help them reach elevated areas (e.g., vehicle, couch, bed) without jumping up or down or being lifted.

With the right support, older pets can age gracefully and remain active members of the family. As their bodies age, appropriate exercise, nutrition, and a consistent daily routine can help slow age-related changes like weight gain, joint pain and stiffness, and poor mental well-being from conditions like anxiety or depression.

Here’s a closer look at each area:

• Exercise — Daily low-impact exercises benefit your pet’s mind and body. Gentle play, leash walks, swimming, and puzzle toys are great ways to keep your senior pet moving. Consistency is more important than duration, so keep sessions short but regular. Consider hiring a pet sitter or dog walker to exercise your senior pet while you are at work.

• Nutrition — As pets age, their metabolism slows down, and they may develop health issues such as kidney disease. Because of this, older pets often require specific diets. A veterinarian may recommend supplements to support joint health, skin and coat conditions, or cognitive function, as well as therapeutic pet food diets to help manage chronic illnesses. It’s also important to maintain senior pets at a healthy weight, and prescription diets, exercise, and rehabilitation can be used to help pets manage weight loss or gain.

• Hydration — Senior pets might also forget to drink enough water, so it's important to help keep them hydrated by offering wet food, soaking dry kibble in water, and ensuring they always have access to clean, fresh water. Proper hydration is critical for senior pets with age-related health issues, including kidney disease, diabetes, and others.

• A consistent daily routine — Pets of all ages thrive on predictable routines. Knowing what to expect helps them feel safe and confident. This is especially key for senior pets, who may feel anxious or nervous due to vision, hearing, or mobility loss. Try to keep your pet’s daily schedule, including feeding, exercise, sleep, and wake times, as predictable as possible.

Even if your senior pet receives recommended veterinary care, things can change between wellness checkups. Knowing how to monitor your aging cat or dog at home gives you the ability to recognize small changes before they become big problems.

Here are a few simple things to keep an eye on:

• Appetite and thirst — Eating or drinking more or less can signal underlying health problems.

• Energy level — Although senior pets sleep more, lethargy is a cause for concern.

• Mobility — Sudden or increasing stiffness, slowness, and changes in posture, as well as avoiding stairs, jumping up or down, and certain areas, can indicate arthritis or spinal pain.

• Urination and defecation — Knowing your pet’s normal routine can help you spot increased frequency, straining, accidents, and changes in urine color or stool consistency.

• Behavior — Suddenly shy, anxious, or isolating behavior can indicate pain, illness, or changes in cognitive health.

If you notice any concerning changes, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Read more: How to Calm an Anxious Dog

Many senior pets need daily medication to stay healthy. However, giving these medications can be a challenge. Some pets don’t like taking pills, which can make it stressful for both the pet and the pet owner.

Compounding pharmacies  like Wedgewood offer a helpful solution by creating medications in forms that are easier for senior pets to take—and for pet owners to give. Unlike standard prescriptions, compounded medications are made to fit the needs of each pet. Such options may include:

• Easier-to-use forms — Flavored liquids, chewable treats (Gourmeds®), fast-dissolving tablets (MediMelts®), or tiny pills that are easier to swallow (Tiny Tabs®) can make daily medication easier for everyone involved. Some medications can even be formulated as a gel that is absorbed through the skin (Twist-a-Dose®), so you don’t have to give the medication by mouth.

• Flavors — Compounded medications can be made with pet-friendly flavors like chicken, tuna, or even allergy-safe marshmallow to mask bitterness.

• Precise dosing — Some medications have narrow dosing ranges in senior pets, and compounding can ensure the exact dose is administered each time to improve patient outcomes. 

By offering medications in forms that pets enjoy, compounding pharmacies help reduce stress and simplify treatment. This can help lead to better health for senior pets and a smoother experience for the pet owner.

Watching our pets grow older can be bittersweet. While they may slow down with age, getting older doesn’t have to mean a loss of health or happiness.

With the right support, simple changes at home, and regular check-ins, pet owners can help their dogs and cats stay comfortable and healthy. Partnering with your veterinarian and a trusted compounding pharmacy like Wedgewood can make a big difference—making your pet's golden years bright and joyful.