Senior Pet Care in Ames, IA

Just like people, as your pets age they need more and different types of care. Unlike humans, animals age much faster and more dramatically which can be scary for pet owners if they don’t have a trusted veterinary partner to help them understand the process in advance. Animals are also very susceptible to diseases, like heart disease and kidney problems, which can have a rapid onset.

Fortunately, many of debilitating problems associated age in most animals can be remedied or eased when detected early.

This is why we want every animal who comes to our clinic to visit us at least once a year and in many cases every 6 months: to catch painful conditions and potentially life-threatening diseases as soon as possible and keeping your pet happy, healthy, and with your family as long as possible.

Because we also care about quality of life, we have many additional treatments available to ease pain, like laser therapy.

petting old yellow lab on the side of the head while at the senior pet care center in ames

When is my animal considered a "senior"?

While this varies by species and breed, here are some general rules of thumb:

Dogs

Small breeds: 11 years
Medium-sized breeds: 10 years
Larger breeds: 8 years
Giant-breeds: 7 years

Cats

Senior: 11-14 years
Super-Senior: 15+ years

Exotics

This varies greatly from by species, so it's best to speak with your vet to know when your pet will be considered a senior, and what additional plans are needed to keep them living their longest, best possible life.