AmaeruOpen contents
The important points, first
- Cats are considered senior after 10 years. Dogs have no fixed age, because it depends on the life expectancy for their size and breed.
- For older pets, AAHA guidelines recommend blood and urine tests every 6–12 months, alongside the examination.
- Bring a list of all medicines, supplements and “natural” products you give your pet to the check-up.
- Before putting a change in thirst, appetite, weight, sleep, movement or behaviour down to old age, talk to your veterinarian.
When a pet becomes “senior”
The AAHA senior care guidelines explain that no single age applies to every pet. Dogs are considered senior in the last quarter of their estimated lifespan, which varies greatly between breeds and sizes. For cats, the AAHA/AAFP guidelines set the threshold at 10 years.
Several age-related changes become noticeable only once they are advanced. The American Association of Feline Practitioners senior care guidelines therefore call for assessing each cat individually, comparing measurements and owner videos over time, and testing more often as the cat ages.16
What a check-up includes
The visit starts with questions: how your pet eats and drinks, moves and plays, toilets, grooms, sees and hears, and whether anything has changed at home. Every medicine, supplement and product considered natural should also be mentioned, because some combinations can be dangerous. A thorough physical examination follows, paying particular attention to the eyes and mouth, spine, joints, muscles and abdomen, and listening to the heart and lungs.
According to AAHA, senior pets should have a complete blood count, chemistry panel and urinalysis every 6–12 months. Thyroxine (T4) and blood pressure are recommended every year, more strongly in cats; in very old cats blood pressure may be checked every 6–12 months. X-rays, ultrasound and an ECG are added when needed, or in at-risk breeds. The right schedule for your pet is set by your veterinarian.326
Changes to report
Chronic pain is often mistaken for ageing. AAHA reports that more than 60% of cats have osteoarthritis in at least one joint, even when the typical grating is not felt on examination. Short videos of your pet walking or jumping help your veterinarian. Lumps and masses should be checked too: some tumours cannot be told apart from benign growths by eye, and waiting to see what happens is risky.
About 14–22.5% of dogs over 8 years have cognitive dysfunction. The most common signs are disorientation at home, less interest in interacting, daytime sleeping and night-time restlessness, loss of house training, changes in activity level and anxiety. Cats with the same condition instead tend to seek more contact and vocalise more. Treatment works best in the early stages, so the sooner it is recognised, the better.34
Weight, muscle and nutrition
Nutritional needs also change with age. In dogs, energy needs usually decrease and excess weight is more common. In cats over 10, energy needs may rise again, and some older cats digest protein and fat less well. In both species muscle mass can shrink even without obvious weight loss.
AAHA therefore recommends tracking weight, body condition and muscle condition over time and adjusting the diet as they change. There are no official nutritional guidelines for “senior” foods in the United States: the amount and type of food should be chosen with your veterinarian, especially if your pet has chronic conditions.5
Sources and checks
Numbers in the text lead to the exact source. Commercial blogs and social posts are not used as evidence.
- 1Veterinary guideline
2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Defining the Senior Patient
American Animal Hospital Association · No fixed age; dogs senior in the last 25% of estimated lifespan, cats over 10 years; changes noticed late.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 2Veterinary guideline
2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Diagnostic Tests and Recommended Frequencies
American Animal Hospital Association · Table of tests for senior dogs and cats and their frequencies (blood, urine, T4, blood pressure, imaging, ECG).
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 3Veterinary guideline
2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Evaluating the Healthy Senior Pet
American Animal Hospital Association · History, drug and supplement interactions, physical examination, videos, osteoarthritis in cats, masses, tests once or twice a year.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 4Veterinary guideline
2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Managing Cognitive Dysfunction and Behavioral Anxiety
American Animal Hospital Association · Prevalence and signs of cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats, treatment more effective when started early.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 5Veterinary guideline
2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Nutrition
American Animal Hospital Association · Energy needs, digestibility, muscle loss and excess weight in senior dogs and cats; no AAFCO guidelines for senior foods.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 6Veterinary guideline
2021 AAFP Feline Senior Care Guidelines
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2021) · PubMed PMID 34167339 · Individual assessment, videos and serial measurements, blood pressure as a minimum test, more frequent testing with age. Some authors declare industry relationships.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026
This guide provides general information. Check-up frequency and tests depend on your pet’s health and should be decided with your veterinarian.