Senior Pet Checkups: What to Expect and How to Plan
By Dr. Kirk Wright, DVM · Updated
Pets are often considered seniors somewhere around age seven, and sooner for some large breeds. Your vet can tell you when your pet is entering that stage. Seniors are some of my favorite patients, and they are also pets for whom regular checkups matter a great deal.
I can't tell you what is going on with your own pet, but I can tell you what a senior visit usually involves and how to make it count.
Why checkups often become more frequent
Many vets recommend seeing senior pets more often, because changes can happen quickly and are easier to manage when found early. Ask your vet how often is right for your pet.
What a senior visit may include
- A thorough nose-to-tail exam, including weight, joints, eyes, and a careful look at the teeth and gums.
- Blood and urine tests to look at organ function, if your vet recommends them.
- A conversation about appetite, drinking, energy, mobility, bathroom habits, and behavior.
- A review of medications, supplements, and food.
- Questions about pain and comfort.
You are the expert on what is normal for your pet. Tell your vet about anything that has changed, even if it seems small.
Dental health matters more as pets age
Dental disease is common in older pets. It can be painful, make eating harder, and may affect your pet's overall health, and because pets hide discomfort well, it often goes unnoticed until it is advanced.
This matters even more if your pet's teeth have never been a regular part of their care. If your pet has not had dental exams, cleanings, or home care in the past, say so at the visit. Problems can build up quietly over the years, and it is better to find out now than after your pet stops eating.
- Tell your vet if you notice bad breath, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side, pawing at the mouth, or being picky about hard food.
- Ask your vet to examine the mouth and explain what they see.
- Ask whether dental x-rays or a cleaning are advisable for your pet, and what that would involve.
- Ask what pre-anesthetic checks your vet recommends for an older pet, and how any risks are managed.
- Ask what you can do at home to keep your pet's mouth healthier.
A dental cleaning is a procedure with its own cost, so ask for a written estimate. Our article “Why Pet Dental Cleanings Cost What They Do” explains what is usually included.
Plan ahead for the costs
Routine senior care is more predictable than a crisis. Ask your vet what they recommend this year and what could wait, and ask for a written estimate. Saving a little each month, or having insurance in place before a problem appears, can make later decisions easier.
Frequently asked questions
What should I tell my vet about my senior pet?
Anything that has changed: eating, drinking, energy, stairs, jumping, bathroom habits, sleep, or mood. Notes and short videos help.
Are senior tests necessary?
Your vet can explain which tests they recommend for your pet and what each would tell you or change.
Do older pets need dental care?
Yes. Dental disease is common in older pets and can be painful. Ask your vet to check your pet's mouth at every senior visit, especially if dental care has not been part of your pet's history.
Educational information only. This is not veterinary advice for your pet and does not replace an exam by your veterinarian. Emergencies and disclaimer.
Get the free Vet Visit Checklist
What to write down, what to bring, and what to ask, in one printable page from Dr. Wright.
Keep reading
Why Pet Dental Cleanings Cost What They Do
A veterinarian explains what is included in a pet dental cleaning, why anesthesia matters, and why the final bill can change once your pet is asleep.
How to Prepare for a Vet Visit and Get More From It
A veterinarian's checklist for what to bring, what to write down, and what to ask so every vet visit is more useful and less stressful.
How to Read a Vet Estimate (and What to Ask About It)
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