Your senior pet has been with you through thick and thin. They’ve grown up in your home, learned your routines, and become part of your daily life in ways that are hard to put into words. And now that they’re getting older, you want to make sure they’re getting the kind of care that honors that bond. The truth is, aging pets have very different needs from younger ones, and catching health changes early, keeping them comfortable, and staying proactive about their well-being can make a real difference in their quality of life.
At Montgomery Veterinary Hospital, we take senior pet care seriously because we know how much your pet means to you. Our practice was built on genuine, down-to-earth care, and that philosophy carries through to every older dog and cat we see. As part of our preventive pet care approach, senior wellness visits go beyond a standard exam, giving us the full picture of your pet’s health and what they may need to stay comfortable and thriving.
Classifying your pet as a senior depends more on their size and species than on their age alone. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats are generally considered senior after age 10, while dogs can reach senior status between ages 6 and 11, depending on breed and size. Larger breeds age faster, while smaller dogs tend to have longer lifespans. The takeaway is that seniority can sneak up on you, and building good habits with your vet before problems arise is the best thing you can do.
Once your pet enters their senior years, twice-yearly vet visits are typically recommended rather than annual ones. That increased frequency matters because so much can change in a short period of time for an aging animal. The sooner we spot a developing issue, the more options we have.
A senior exam here is not a quick once-over. Dr. Grech-Attard and her team take their time, asking questions and listening to what you’ve been noticing at home, because you know your pet better than anyone. The exam covers everything from weight and mobility to organ function, dental health, and cognition. It’s thorough, and it’s done in a way that keeps your pet as calm and comfortable as possible. We’re Fear Free certified, which means we put real thought into how our patients experience their visits, especially older ones who can be more anxious or sensitive.
Our testing and diagnostics capabilities let us run bloodwork, urinalysis, and other key screenings right here in-house, without sending you to another facility or waiting days for results. For older pets, that speed matters. It means we can make informed decisions quickly and get your pet on a management plan without unnecessary delays.
Older pets face a wider range of health concerns than younger animals, and the conditions that most often arise are very manageable with the right support.
Pain, Arthritis, and Mobility: Joint pain is one of the most common and underrecognized issues in older pets. Many animals hide discomfort well, so changes in how they move, get up, or navigate stairs can go unnoticed for a while. Our veterinary orthopedics services help us assess and address mobility concerns, and we also offer laser therapy right here at the practice — a drug-free option for managing pain and inflammation that many pet owners find genuinely helpful.
Ongoing Monitoring and Advanced Care: Conditions like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and heart disease become more common as pets age. Our advanced pet care services are designed for exactly this, giving you a team and a plan you can lean on as your pet’s needs evolve. We also believe in honest conversations about what’s realistic and what’s in your pet’s best interest at every stage.
Senior Pets Who Struggle with Clinic Visits: If your older dog or cat has a hard time traveling or gets extremely stressed by clinic environments, our house call services are worth knowing about. We offer house calls throughout Orange County, NY, and very few veterinary practices in this area offer that option. For a senior pet who is arthritic, anxious, or just hard to load in the car, being examined in their own home can be a much better experience for everyone.
Dr. Grech-Attard and the team at Montgomery Veterinary Hospital are here for the long haul with your pet. We care about follow-through, and our staff genuinely stays invested in how your animals are doing between visits. Whether it is a routine senior wellness check, a pain management conversation, or navigating a new diagnosis, you will not feel like a number here. We offer same-day appointments, CareCredit financing, in-house payment plans, and discounts for seniors, military families, multi-pet households, and commuters.
If your dog or cat is entering their senior years or is already there, now is a great time to get proactive. Reach out to our team or book online to schedule a senior wellness exam and let us put together a care plan that fits your pet right where they are.
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