People usually start searching about pet ageing when something small shifts at home: a dog that takes longer to stand, a cat that stops jumping up, a familiar routine that suddenly seems harder. These changes can be ordinary wear and tear, or they can be the first visible edge of pain, disease, or sensory loss.
Ageing isn’t a single switch. It’s a slow drift in strength, digestion, hearing and sight, sleep patterns, and the way the brain handles familiar places. The most helpful approach is practical: notice what’s changed, rule out treatable illness early, then adjust food, movement, and the home environment so your pet stays comfortable and steady for as long as possible.1, 4
How ageing works (and why it looks different between pets)
Ageing is the gradual, normal change in body systems over time. In pets, it often shows up as a quieter metabolism, reduced muscle mass, slower recovery after exercise, and a higher chance of chronic disease. What looks like “just getting older” can also be early arthritis, dental pain, kidney disease, hormone disease, or anxiety triggered by sensory decline.
Size and breed matter most in dogs: larger breeds tend to age faster and have shorter average lifespans than small breeds, so “senior” can arrive earlier. Cats often stay outwardly athletic for years, then changes can seem to appear all at once, partly because cats are skilled at masking pain and weakness.
For exotic pets (birds, rabbits, reptiles), ageing is real but the signs and timelines are different again. If you keep these species, it’s worth asking an exotics vet what “normal” looks like for that animal, because standard dog-and-cat advice won’t always fit.
Common signs of ageing in dogs and cats
Ageing signs are often quiet at first. A useful rule: if a change persists for more than a week or two, or it’s getting worse, treat it as information worth taking to your vet.
Physical changes
- Stiffness, especially after rest, or reluctance to climb stairs, jump, or get into the car.2, 3
- Mobility changes: slower walks, shorter stride, slipping on floors, hesitating before sitting or standing.2, 3
- Weight changes (gain or loss), and gradual loss of muscle along the spine or hips.
- Coat and skin changes, including dull coat, slower regrowth, or increased dandruff.
- Sensory changes: bumping into furniture, not responding to sound, startling more easily.
Behaviour and routine changes
- Less interest in play, shorter bursts of activity, or a preference for quiet spots.
- Irritability or avoidance when touched (often pain-related rather than “bad behaviour”).2, 3
- New toileting accidents, especially if paired with increased thirst, weight loss, or restlessness.
Cognitive changes (when the brain is ageing too)
Cognitive dysfunction is a recognised age-related condition in dogs and cats. The signs can overlap with medical problems (pain, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, kidney disease), so a veterinary check is essential before you assume it’s “dementia”.4, 5
- Disorientation: seeming lost in familiar rooms, staring at walls, getting stuck behind furniture.5
- Changed sleep-wake patterns: more waking and vocalising at night, more daytime sleeping.5
- House-soiling or litter-tray changes without an obvious reason.5
Health problems that become more common with age
Older pets are more likely to develop chronic conditions that build slowly. The most commonly discussed include osteoarthritis, dental disease, kidney disease (especially in cats), heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. The point isn’t to expect the worst; it’s to remember that early disease can look like mild “slowing down”.
Arthritis deserves special mention because it is common, often under-recognised, and strongly affects quality of life. Some pets don’t limp. Instead, they change their habits: fewer jumps, fewer stairs, shorter walks, and more time spent resting.2, 3
Quality of life: what matters day to day
In an ageing pet, comfort is usually built from small, repeated successes: moving without sharp pain, eating well, sleeping deeply, and reaching key resources (food, water, toileting areas) without stress.
- Comfort and mobility: pain control, safe footing, and gentle movement keep joints and muscles from tightening up.2
- Predictability: older pets often cope better with steady routines and familiar layouts, especially if their hearing, sight, or cognition is changing.4, 5
- Social contact on their terms: many seniors still enjoy closeness, but may prefer shorter, calmer interactions.
Veterinary care for senior pets
As pets age, check-ups usually become more frequent. Many veterinary sources recommend six-monthly examinations for senior dogs and cats, because subtle changes are easier to catch early and manage well.1, 6
Depending on your pet’s age and history, your vet may suggest screening tests (such as blood and urine tests) to look for early kidney, liver, thyroid or metabolic changes. What’s appropriate varies by species, age, and existing conditions.
When to book an earlier appointment
- Noticeable change in appetite, thirst, or weight
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, or breathing changes
- New lumps, bad breath, or reluctance to eat hard food
- Mobility changes: stiffness, difficulty rising, avoiding stairs or jumps1, 3
- Night-time restlessness, confusion, or house-soiling5
Nutrition for ageing pets
Senior nutrition is less about a single “senior food” label and more about keeping body weight steady and protecting muscle. Energy needs often change with age, and some older pets lose muscle even when their weight looks stable. Tracking both body condition and muscle condition helps you and your vet see what’s really happening under the fur.7, 8
Protein needs can increase in older pets, particularly cats, as they lose lean body mass with age. Your vet can help balance this against any medical conditions (such as kidney disease) that may need a tailored diet.8
Supplements: useful, but not automatic
Joint supplements (such as glucosamine/chondroitin) and omega-3 fatty acids are commonly discussed for older pets, but they’re not a substitute for diagnosis and pain relief when arthritis is present. If you’re considering supplements, ask your vet what fits your pet’s condition and current medications.
Exercise: keep it gentle, keep it regular
Older bodies respond best to steady, low-impact movement. Exercise helps maintain muscle, supports joint health, and keeps weight in check, which matters for mobility and comfort in arthritis.3
Good options for many senior pets
- Shorter, more frequent walks
- Sniff-heavy “slow walks” rather than distance or speed
- Swimming or controlled hydrotherapy (if your pet is safe and comfortable in water)
- Gentle play sessions with long rest breaks
Signs you should scale back and check in with your vet
- Stiffness that worsens after activity
- Reluctance to move later in the day, or slowing mid-walk
- Limping, panting that seems out of proportion, or hiding afterwards
Mental stimulation and cognitive support
Mental stimulation won’t stop ageing, but it can keep an older pet engaged with their world. For pets with cognitive changes, simple enrichment paired with predictability often helps: familiar routes, easy puzzle feeders, gentle training, and a home layout that doesn’t keep changing.
If cognitive dysfunction is suspected, the priority is to rule out pain and medical causes first, then build a plan that reduces confusion and supports sleep and toileting routines.4, 5
Stress and anxiety in older pets
Older pets can become anxious for practical reasons: reduced hearing or vision, pain, cognitive changes, or feeling unsteady on slippery floors. Behaviour changes deserve a health check, because discomfort is a common driver and is often treatable.4
Simple home adjustments that often help
- Keep food, water, and toileting areas easy to reach (especially at night).
- Add non-slip runners on common paths and near steps.
- Use soft, supportive bedding away from draughts.
- Maintain predictable routines for meals, walks, and bedtime.5
References
- RSPCA Pet Insurance Australia: The importance of regular veterinary care for your senior dog
- RSPCA Pet Insurance Australia: Arthritis in pets (what it is and how you can help)
- RSPCA Knowledgebase: I think my dog has arthritis, what can I do?
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Behavioral problems of dogs (ageing and cognitive dysfunction)
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Cognitive dysfunction in cats
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA): Global Nutrition Guidelines
- AAHA: Senior care guidelines (nutrition for senior dogs and cats)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom