Senior Care

As your loyal companion ages our veterinary care team will need to see them more frequently. The golden years will bring many changes to your pet’s health and lifestyle which means the care they need should be adjusted. At Cornell Animal Hospital we take pride in the support and services we offer senior pets as they go through changes. To book an appointment to discuss your senior pet’s care, please call us at 519-763-1082.

When is my pet considered a senior?

We generally consider cats as seniors at 10-years-old and dogs as seniors between 6 to 10-years-old. Even if your pet is technically considered a senior they can show signs of aging at different times. For instance larger dogs age faster than smaller ones.

What are the signs of aging?

The signs of aging you may notice in your pet are:

• Vision loss
• Hearing problems
• Greying around the muzzle, head and chest
• Eating less
• Urinating around the house
• Less active or sleeping more

What types of diseases do older pets get diagnosed with?

Getting older means your pet’s immune system will weaken. This leaves them vulnerable to developing illnesses. Senior pets are prone to:

1. Arthritis – as they become less active they may gain weight which puts a strain on their bones.
2. Cognitive dysfunction (dementia)
3. Heart disease
4. Cancer
5. Kidney and liver problems

Hearing about these diseases sounds overwhelming but with routine wellness checks we can detect them before they can cause damage. We recommend senior pets have two veterinary exams every year to also monitor their existing medical issues.