Caring for a Senior Dog or Cat: A Riyadh Owner's Guide
Senior dogs and cats need more frequent checkups, adjusted nutrition, and small changes at home to stay comfortable as they age. Most dogs are considered senior around 7 years, and cats around 10 to 12, though large breeds age sooner. Regular monitoring helps catch age-related conditions early, when they are easiest to manage.
When is a pet a senior?
Pets are generally considered senior in the last third of their expected lifespan. Larger dog breeds age faster and may be senior by 6 to 7 years, while small dogs and cats often reach senior status closer to 10 to 12 years. Aging is not a disease, but it changes what your pet needs.
Common signs of aging
- Slowing down, stiffness, or difficulty jumping and climbing stairs
- Weight changes, either gain or unexplained loss
- Cloudy eyes, reduced hearing, or bumping into things
- Increased thirst or changes in urination
- Dental disease, bad breath, or trouble eating
- Changes in sleep, confusion, or altered behavior
How to keep senior pets comfortable
- 1Provide soft, supportive bedding in a warm, quiet spot
- 2Add ramps or steps and use low-sided litter boxes for easier access
- 3Keep gentle, regular exercise to maintain muscle and joint health
- 4Feed an age-appropriate diet and keep your pet at a healthy weight
- 5Maintain dental care, since mouth pain is common and often overlooked
- 6Keep food, water, and resting areas easy to reach
Why twice-yearly checkups matter
Senior pets benefit from checkups every six months because they age faster than us and conditions can develop quickly. Routine exams and blood work can catch kidney disease, arthritis, dental problems, and thyroid or hormone changes early, giving your pet more comfortable, healthy years.
Old age is not a reason to accept discomfort — much of what looks like just getting old is treatable pain or disease.
VetWay (فيت واي) offers senior wellness visits at home in Riyadh, which spares older pets the stress of travel and lets us assess mobility and comfort in their own environment. Home visits are especially valuable for pets with arthritis or anxiety.
At what age is my pet considered senior?
Most dogs are senior around 7 years and cats around 10 to 12, though large-breed dogs may reach senior status closer to 6 to 7 years.
How often should a senior pet see the vet?
Every six months is recommended, because older pets age quickly and early detection of disease makes a big difference.
My old dog is slowing down — is that just age?
Slowing down often reflects treatable arthritis or pain rather than unavoidable aging, so it is worth having your vet assess it.
Can senior checkups be done at home?
Yes. VetWay provides at-home senior wellness visits in Riyadh, which reduce stress and allow assessment of mobility in a familiar setting.
