Senior Dog Care & Appointments
As dogs age, their needs can change in subtle and gradual ways. Different appointment types allow us to assess your dog’s health, comfort, and quality of life more thoroughly and provide support tailored to their individual needs.
These appointments are designed to help monitor changes over time, identify concerns early, and guide appropriate care as your dog ages.
Many health changes in older dogs happen gradually and can be difficult to notice at home.
A dedicated senior health appointment allows us to identify subtle changes early and support your dog’s comfort and quality of life.
Senior appointments are scheduled with extra time and gentle handling so older dogs can move at their own pace.
For some older dogs, veterinary visits can feel more overwhelming or physically demanding. Additional support prior to their appointment may be helpful, including pre-visit calming support. You can learn more about this on our Pre-Visit Calming Support for Dogs page.
Seniors Bundle
Best for: proactive health screening for senior dogs. This bundle allows us to take a more in-depth and proactive approach to your dog’s health.
This appointment is designed for dogs entering their senior years, even if they are still active and feeling well.
Senior health checks allow us to establish a baseline of your dog’s health, monitor subtle age-related changes, and support comfort and mobility as your dog gets older.
Many families choose this appointment every six months so we can monitor changes as their dog ages.
For most senior dogs, this is the best place to start.
A gentle, proactive health check designed specifically for older dogs.
This appointment focuses on early detection of age-related changes while supporting your dog’s comfort and mobility.
Your dog’s bundle may include:
1. Comprehensive senior consultation
Full physical exam with a focus on mobility, pain, weight, dental health, skin, and sensory changes
Behaviour and lifestyle discussion (sleep, appetite, anxiety, cognitive changes)
Medication and supplement review
2. Pain & mobility screening
Orthopaedic and muscle assessment
Discussion around arthritis, stiffness, and subtle pain signs
Home comfort and environmental modification tips
3. Blood and urine screening (often with same day blood results)
Early detection of kidney, liver, endocrine, and metabolic changes
Hydration and urinary health assessment
Baseline monitoring to track changes over time
4. Personalised comfort plan
Weight and nutrition guidance
Mobility support (supplements, medications, physiotherapy referrals)
Dental and grooming considerations for ageing dogs
Behaviour and cognitive support strategies
5. Fear Free gentle handling
Extra time, low-stress handling, and pace adjustments
Optional pre-visit medication discussion if needed
All large breed dogs are considered Seniors from 6 years of age and all medium and small sized breeds are considered Seniors at 8 years of age.
If your dog needs something more specific, our team will guide you toward the most appropriate next step.
Senior Comfort & Quality of Life Appointment
Best for: dogs showing subtle changes such as slowing down, stiffness, or behaviour changes. This consultation is particularly helpful when changes are subtle or difficult to interpret.
This appointment is a gentle, unhurried conversation about your dog’s ageing journey, with a focus on comfort, confidence, and everyday quality of life.
It’s ideal if you’ve noticed small changes and are wondering:
“Is this just ageing?”
“Could my dog be uncomfortable?”
“Is there something I could be doing differently at home?”
During this 40-minute visit, you can expect:
Time to talk, without feeling rushed
You’ll have time to talk through:
Changes you’ve noticed in behaviour, mood, appetite, or sleep
Moments that feel “different” but are hard to explain
Concerns you may have been unsure whether to raise
No concern is too small! Subtle changes matter!
Understanding changes related to ageing
Your vet will help explain:
How ageing can affect the brain, behaviour, and emotions
Why changes in sleep, appetite, confidence, or interaction can occur
How pain or discomfort can show up as behaviour change
The goal is clarity, not alarm.
Practical advice you can use at home
You’ll receive guidance on:
Simple home adjustments to improve comfort and safety
Supporting your dog’s confidence and independence
Creating routines that suit an ageing body and mind
Helping your dog feel settled, secure, and supported
These are realistic, achievable changes, not overwhelming lists.
A calm, Fear Free approach
Your dog will be handled gently and only as much as they’re comfortable with. The focus is on:
Emotional safety
Trust
Minimising stress
Meeting your dog where they’re at
A personalised plan going forward
By the end of the appointment, you’ll have:
A clearer understanding of what’s normal, what’s changeable, and what needs monitoring
A tailored plan to support comfort and quality of life
Guidance on next steps, if any, at a pace that feels right for you and your dog
Palliative Care Consultation
The focus is on maintaining comfort and supporting quality of life as needs change.
Palliative care focuses on supporting dogs with ongoing or advanced health conditions where the priority is comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
These consultations provide an opportunity to take a thoughtful and individualised approach to your dog’s care, considering their comfort, daily function, and overall wellbeing as their needs change over time.
During a palliative care consultation, we may:
• assess your dog’s comfort, mobility, and day-to-day function
• discuss changes in behaviour, appetite, or routine
• review current medications and adjust where needed
• provide guidance on supporting your dog at home
• talk through what changes to monitor over time
• help you plan for future decisions in a calm and supported way
Palliative care is not about a single moment, but about ongoing support. As your dog’s needs evolve, we work with you to adjust their care so they remain as comfortable and supported as possible.
Our aim is to help your dog maintain quality of life, while also ensuring you feel informed, supported, and confident in the decisions you are making.
We understand this stage can feel uncertain, and our team is here to guide you with care, clarity, and compassion at every step.
Pain vs Behaviour Consultation
Changes in behaviour can sometimes be linked to underlying discomfort, particularly in older dogs where signs of pain may be subtle and develop gradually over time. This can be particularly helpful when changes are gradual or unclear.
While this consultation is not specific to senior dogs, it can be especially helpful as dogs age, when changes in mobility, tolerance, or behaviour may be more difficult to interpret.
During this consultation, we take the time to explore the full picture of your dog’s health and behaviour. This may include:
• discussing when changes in behaviour or movement were first noticed
• identifying patterns or situations where changes are more apparent
• assessing your dog’s mobility, posture, and overall comfort
• considering how your dog responds to handling or daily activities
• reviewing any relevant medical history or previous concerns
In some cases, behaviour changes may be linked to discomfort or pain. In others, they may be related to environmental, emotional, or learned factors. It is also common for both to be present.
Understanding this distinction allows us to guide the most appropriate next steps, which may include medical support, behavioural strategies, or a combination of both.
Our aim is to help you better understand what your dog may be experiencing and how best to support their comfort, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Lumps & Bumps Assessment
Lumps and bumps can become more common as dogs age. While many are harmless, changes in size, shape, or appearance can be worth assessing.
While this appointment is not specific to senior dogs, it can be particularly helpful in older dogs, where new or changing lumps are more commonly noticed.
This appointment allows us to examine any new or changing lumps, discuss what they may represent, and guide whether monitoring, further testing, or removal may be appropriate.
In older dogs, these decisions are often made with consideration of overall health, comfort, and quality of life, allowing us to take a balanced and thoughtful approach to care.
What to Do Next
If you’ve noticed changes in your dog’s comfort, behaviour, or daily routine, exploring the right type of appointment can help provide clarity and support.
Some dogs may benefit from a more comprehensive assessment, while others may need a more focused approach depending on what you are noticing at home.
If you are unsure which appointment is most appropriate, our team is always happy to guide you.
You can contact us to discuss your dog’s needs, and we can help you choose the most suitable option.
Early support and regular monitoring can make a meaningful difference to your dog’s comfort and quality of life over time.