Dogs - Seniors

If your cat or dog has been diagnosed with arthritis by your veterinarian here are four important ways you can stop the dreaded winter blues. Managing Arthritis for Dogs Weight management - This is

More and more dogs and cats are living well into their senior years and just like elderly humans, pets can suffer from a kind of dementia called cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS. CDS is a syndrome associated with brain ageing.

Old age arthritis (or osteoarthritis) is common in ageing pets. It is usually a result of the ongoing wear and tear and instability in the joints, although other factors such as injury, genetic makeup, infection, immune disease and cancer can also affect the progress of the disease.

Did you know that more than one in five dogs will be affected by arthritis, thus making it one of the most common reasons for a loss of quality of life in our senior patients? Arthritis, or

The answer is early diagnosis and treatment which can be achieved by visiting your veterinarian for twice yearly check-ups. Dogs and cats age much faster than we do and as a result, health problems progress much more rapidly.

Observe the early warning signs of age related disease and discuss them with your veterinarian, be on the look out for weight loss or gain, change in appetite, inappropriate urination, confusion, coughing, difficulty moving, lumps or bumps ....

You may need to adjust the frequency and intensity of your daily exercise regime as a pet ages but it is important to maintain a regular exercise program. If your pet doesn't use their muscles, and move freely on a regular basis, they will lose muscle mass and tone.

Although most lumps are harmless it is impossible to tell what sort of lump you are looking at. There are many different things that can cause swellings - bruising or fluid build-up, abscesses, things attached to the skin (eg. small parasites) and, of course, cancers.

It is also possible to help your pet maintain a comfortable lifestyle by making small changes around the house and being mindful of your pet's needs. Dealing with winter months, making dinner time easy, navigating your home and more...

A short video including hints and tips on how to care for senior pets

Before your pet's next senior check-up, review and complete a checklist of the major changes you should be on the look out for. We'll send a copy of the results to you too!

Older pets need more extensive exams. Your pet's senior visits should include a wellness overview, hands on physical examination, diagnostic tests and in some cases faecal examinations. Find out more here...

Senior pets require a special diet with fewer calories, less protein and phosphorus. We recommend premium pet foods specifically formulated for senior pets.

Pets age much faster than people do, and their rate of ageing depends not only on the species type but also on the size of the breed. Cats are generally less than 10kg and are considered senior citizens after the age of 8. Dog breeds, however, display a wide variety of weights.

Tips on things you can do to make your older pet's life easier such as changes to diet, dental care, exercise and environment