Cherish Your Senior Pets this Holiday Season

As we enter the holiday season, it’s often a time to reflect on what we’re grateful to have in our lives. In our home, the kids always include our menagerie of pets on their gratitude lists (usually alongside a favorite video game or current activity). But I also have to address comments like, “Mom, I wish Oliver was more fun,” and “Oliver is a grouchy old man.”

Sigh… At 16 years old, of course, Oliver isn’t as active as he used to be and certainly has his “grouchy” moments. I often feel a twinge of sadness when I talk about what he could do as a young dog—chasing toys, hiking, and doing zoomies around the yard. But these conversations have also become opportunities to teach my kids how important it is to continue caring for Oliver and to support him through the changes that come with age.

Just like people, our pets become more susceptible to various ailments as they get older. These may include systemic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease, or more localized issues like tumors or changes in their skin and coat. Many senior pets begin experiencing mobility challenges as arthritis progresses, affecting their comfort and their ability to do basic daily activities—going outside to eliminate, using the litter box, or getting up to eat. It’s also common to see age-related changes in cognitive function, as well as hearing and vision loss. These are all things we monitor closely during senior wellness exams and routine lab work.

In my own home, I’ve been fortunate that Oliver does not have any major illnesses. However, his arthritis has progressed over the past year and has noticeably affected his daily life. His hearing and vision have also slowly declined. While this has had its perks (no more barking at the mail carrier!), It’s also been difficult to watch him no longer respond to my voice or whistle the way he used to.

Our family continues to adapt to Oliver’s needs, and he now has a full regimen to help manage his arthritis. I monitor his quality of life closely, and for now, it remains good—he still gets the mini-zoomies, which mostly consist of him hopping around the kitchen island. I’ve also accepted that what he enjoys at 16 looks different than it used to. He may no longer run like a wild man at the lake, but he still loves searching for chipmunks.

At Brooklyn Park Pet Hospital, we are here to care for your pet from beginning to end. We treasure our senior patients and are always here to help as their needs evolve over the years.

By Dr. Laura Elliot