Senior Pet Care: What Changes After Age 7

When is a Pet Considered Senior?

Age-related changes begin earlier in pets than most owners realise. Large and giant breed dogs are considered senior from as early as 5–6 years. Small breed dogs and cats are typically considered senior at 7 years. Giant breeds (e.g. Great Danes) may show geriatric changes from 4–5 years. Life expectancy varies widely by breed and size.

Physiological Changes in Ageing Pets

• Kidneys: Filtering capacity decreases. Increased water intake and urination are often early signs. Regular kidney screening is essential.
• Heart: Cardiac changes including valve disease (especially in small dogs) and cardiomyopathy (especially in cats) become more common.
• Joints: Osteoarthritis affects 90% of cats over 12 years and is massively underdiagnosed. Watch for reluctance to jump, stiffness after rest, or altered grooming habits.
• Metabolism: Slows with age. Body composition shifts — muscle mass decreases (sarcopenia) while fat increases if diet is unchanged.
• Immune system: Weakens, making seniors more susceptible to infections and slower to recover.
• Cognitive function: Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (similar to dementia in humans) affects 28% of dogs aged 11–12 and 68% of dogs aged 15–16. Signs include disorientation, sleep-wake cycle changes, and loss of learned behaviours.
• Eyes: Nuclear sclerosis (cloudiness without vision impairment) is normal aging. Cataracts, glaucoma and retinal degeneration also become more common.
• Teeth and gums: Dental disease often advances rapidly in seniors, causing pain and systemic effects.

Essential Senior Screening Tests

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Biochemistry panel (kidney, liver, pancreas, glucose)
• Urinalysis including urine protein:creatinine ratio
• Thyroid function (T4) — especially in cats, where hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disease
• Blood pressure measurement
• Chest X-ray for cardiac assessment in at-risk breeds
• Abdominal ultrasound for organ evaluation

We recommend comprehensive screening every 6 months for senior pets — early detection of conditions like kidney disease, hypertension, or hyperthyroidism allows intervention before irreversible damage occurs.

Senior Nutrition

Contrary to older advice, current evidence suggests senior pets often need more high-quality protein (not less) to maintain muscle mass. Reduced phosphorus is important for pets with kidney disease (confirmed by testing, not assumed). Joint-supportive supplements (omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin) have evidence of benefit. Caloric adjustment based on body condition score — not just age — is key.

Quality of Life Assessment

For senior pets managing chronic conditions, we use validated quality-of-life scoring tools to guide treatment decisions. Factors assessed include pain, appetite, mobility, mental alertness, social interaction and hygiene. These conversations are an important part of caring for an ageing pet.