September Is National Senior Pet Month: How to Keep Your Senior Pet Happy & Healthy

September is National Senior Pet Month. It is a lovely reminder to slow down, notice the little things, and give our older dogs and cats a little extra care.

Senior pets bring so much love into our homes. They know our routines. They have been there for birthdays, busy mornings, quiet evenings, and everything in between.

Their needs may change as they age, but their need for comfort, patience, and affection never goes away.

Older pets still have plenty of love to give.

When is a pet considered a senior?

There is no single age that applies to every dog or cat.

Many pets are considered senior around age seven, but breed, size, genetics, and overall health all matter. Larger dogs may enter their senior years earlier. Cats often show more noticeable age-related changes later in life.

Your veterinarian can help you understand where your pet is in their life stage.

The most important thing is not the number of candles on the birthday cake. It is how your pet is moving, eating, resting, and enjoying daily life.

Watch for small changes

Senior pets are very good at hiding discomfort. That is why small changes deserve attention.

You may notice:

• Taking longer to stand up
• Stiffness after resting
• Reluctance to use stairs or jump
• Walking more slowly
• Sleeping more than usual
• Changes in appetite or thirst
• Weight gain or unexplained weight loss
• New accidents in the house
• Trouble getting into or out of the litter box
• More hesitation in dim lighting
• Startling when approached
• Confusion or changes in the sleep schedule
• Less interest in play or family interaction
• Irritability when touched in certain areas

One change may not seem like much. But you know your pet best.

If something feels different, make a note of it. Keep track of when it started and whether it is getting worse. These details can help your veterinarian understand what is happening.

A small change is worth noticing.

Keep up with veterinary check-ups

Regular veterinary visits are one of the kindest things you can do for a senior pet.

Many veterinarians recommend wellness exams about every six months for older dogs and cats. These visits give the veterinary team more opportunities to find concerns early.

A senior wellness visit may include:

• A complete physical examination
• Weight and body condition checks
• Joint and mobility evaluation
• Dental, eye, and ear examination
• Bloodwork and urine testing
• Discussion about nutrition
• Pain and arthritis assessment
• Review of medications and supplements
• Conversation about behavior and quality of life

Early detection can make a meaningful difference. Kidney disease, dental disease, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions may be easier to manage when found early.

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s information on senior pet health also highlights the importance of more frequent examinations, diagnostics, and individualized nutrition and behavior support for older pets.

Please contact your veterinarian if your pet has a sudden change in appetite, breathing, thirst, urination, movement, or behavior.

Support joints and mobility

Arthritis is common in senior pets. It can make everyday activities more difficult, even when your pet still seems cheerful.

Your dog may need more time to get up. Your cat may stop jumping onto the sofa. Your pet may avoid stairs or seem stiff after a walk.

There are simple ways to make home more comfortable:

• Add nonslip rugs to slippery floors
• Provide soft, supportive bedding
• Keep food and water close to favorite resting areas
• Use ramps where appropriate
• Choose a low-entry litter box for an older cat
• Keep nails trimmed so walking is easier
• Offer a warm, comfortable place to rest
• Avoid asking your pet to climb or jump unnecessarily

Your veterinarian can recommend a pain management plan, joint support, or other treatment based on your pet’s health.

Do not start supplements or medications without asking your veterinarian first. Even natural products may not be right for every pet.

Comfort counts. Every single day.

Revisit your pet’s nutrition

Senior pets may need different amounts of food and different nutrients as they age.

Some become less active and gain weight more easily. Others lose weight because of dental problems, illness, or a reduced appetite. Some need a special diet to support their kidneys, heart, digestion, or another health concern.

Your veterinarian can help you decide:

• Whether your pet should stay on their current food
• How much food they need each day
• Whether a senior formula may be helpful
• If a prescription diet is appropriate
• How to support healthy weight
• Whether supplements are safe

Fresh water should always be available. For senior cats, placing water in more than one easy-to-reach location can be helpful. Dogs with mobility challenges may also appreciate a water bowl near their bed or main resting spot.

Any diet change should happen gradually unless your veterinarian gives you different instructions.

Choose gentle exercise

Senior pets still benefit from movement. The goal is not to make them move like they did when they were young.

The goal is to help them stay comfortable, engaged, and connected to the world around them.

For dogs, try:

• Short walks
• Slow sniffing walks
• Gentle indoor games
• Brief play sessions
• Multiple easy outings instead of one long walk

For cats, try:

• Short wand-toy sessions
• Treat puzzles
• Food toys
• Gentle games on the floor
• Placing favorite items where they can reach them safely

Watch how your pet feels during and after activity. Excessive panting, limping, lagging behind, or increased stiffness later may mean the activity was too much.

Your veterinarian can help you create an exercise routine that matches your pet’s comfort and ability.

Slow walks still count. Sniffing still counts. Playtime still counts!

Keep routines familiar

Older pets often feel more secure when life follows a comfortable pattern.

Try to keep meals, walks, medication, rest, and bedtime close to the same times each day. Familiar routines can be especially helpful for pets experiencing changes in hearing, vision, or memory.

A few thoughtful adjustments can help:

• Keep furniture in familiar places
• Use night-lights in hallways
• Speak before touching a pet with hearing loss
• Approach slowly from where your pet can see you
• Keep beds and litter boxes easy to reach
• Offer regular bathroom breaks
• Give your pet extra time to respond

Patience is a big part of senior pet care.

Your pet may need more time to walk across the room, finish a meal, or settle into bed. That is okay. We can make room for their slower pace.

Home-based care can reduce stress

For some senior pets, leaving home is tiring or stressful.

There may be a car ride, unfamiliar sounds, slippery floors, waiting rooms, or handling that feels overwhelming. Pets who are anxious, painful, recovering from an illness, or simply happiest at home may do better with care in familiar surroundings.

In-home support can help keep daily care calm and personal.

Depending on your pet’s needs, this may include:

• Pet sitting and companionship
• Feeding and fresh water
• Gentle dog walks
• Medication support
• Nail trims and grooming care
• Monitoring changes in appetite, movement, or behavior
• Recovery support
• Care coordinated with your veterinarian

At Paw Prints On The Move, we bring compassionate care right to your door. Chris is a Certified Veterinary Technician and Fear Free Certified Professional. He understands that senior pets deserve gentle handling, clear communication, and time to feel comfortable.

When in-home medical care is appropriate, we work in collaboration with your pet’s veterinarian and follow the established care plan. Home-based support does not replace emergency veterinary care, but it can be a helpful part of ongoing care for the right pet.

Senior pets deserve personal attention

Every older pet is different.

Some want to take things slowly. Some still believe they are puppies or kittens at heart. Some enjoy a short walk and a long nap. Others want to be close to their people all day long.

We love getting to know those little details.

Paw Prints On The Move provides dog walking, pet sitting, grooming, and in-home care for families in Cherry Hill, Maple Shade, Mount Laurel, Pennsauken, Marlton, Burlington, Deptford, and surrounding New Jersey communities.

You can learn more about Chris and his veterinary background on our Meet the Staff page. You can also read more about choosing in-home pet care in Cherry Hill and nearby areas.

Familiar home. Gentle care. One very loved pet.

A little extra love goes a long way

Senior Pet Month is a good time to schedule a wellness visit, look around your home, check your pet’s food and water routine, and notice how they are moving.

It is also a good time to give your older companion one more soft bed, one more slow walk, and one more cozy afternoon beside you.

They have spent years caring about us in their own special way.

Now we get to care for them.

If your senior dog or cat would be more comfortable receiving support at home, contact Paw Prints On The Move or call (856) 701-0123. We would be glad to learn about your pet and talk through their routine. 🐾