Senior Pet Care in Columbus: Vets for Elderly Dogs and Cats
Your senior pet has given you years of love, loyalty, and companionship. They deserve compassionate care that’s tailored to their evolving health needs. At PAWS, we provide comprehensive Columbus senior pet care for elderly dogs and cats, including both urgent and primary care services. From biannual exams and targeted blood work to pain management and mobility support, we're here to help your furry friend thrive and enjoy their golden years.
Comprehensive Senior Pet Care in Columbus: Services We Offer
Biannual Wellness Exams
For senior pets, we recommend wellness exams every six months rather than annually. A lot can change in six months for an aging dog or cat, and conditions that are manageable when caught early can become serious if left undetected. More frequent visits also allow us to spread out costs thoughtfully, such as focusing on vaccines at one visit and blood work at the next.
Preventive Blood Work & Urinalysis
Routine blood work is essential for senior pets. We monitor kidney function, liver function, thyroid levels, and overall systemic health. For senior cats especially, we screen closely for hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease—two of the most common conditions in aging felines—along with diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Regular testing also allows us to track trends over time and catch changes before they become advanced.
Pain Management & Mobility Support
Pets don't always show arthritis pain the same way humans do. Instead, they compensate by changing their behavior, like hesitating on staircases or no longer jumping onto the couch. At PAWS, our team uses a multimodal pain management approach to help minimize arthritis-related discomfort in senior pets. By combining medications that target different receptors, we provide comprehensive relief for both acute and chronic pain, improving your pet’s quality of life.
Dental Care
Dental disease is extremely common in senior cats and dogs. Years of tartar buildup, untreated gingivitis, and damaged teeth can cause significant pain and contribute to systemic health problems. Many pet owners hesitate to pursue dental care for their older pets out of concern for anesthesia, but that shouldn't stand in the way of treatment. In many cases, a healthy senior pet can safely undergo a professional dental cleaning, which can dramatically boost their comfort and quality of life.
Diagnostic Imaging
Senior pets benefit from routine imaging as part of a proactive health screen. For example, abdominal ultrasounds and chest X-rays can help identify organ changes, masses, and early signs of cancer. Catching these findings early opens up more treatment options, which can help lead to better outcomes.
Dental Care
Dental disease is extremely common in senior cats and dogs. Years of tartar buildup, untreated gingivitis, and damaged teeth can cause significant pain and contribute to systemic health problems. Many pet owners hesitate to pursue dental care for their older pets out of concern for anesthesia, but that shouldn't stand in the way of treatment. In many cases, a healthy senior pet can safely undergo a professional dental cleaning, which can dramatically boost their comfort and quality of life.
Cognitive Dysfunction & Behavioral Changes
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome—the veterinary equivalent of dementia—is a recognized and growing area of veterinary medicine, especially in older small-breed dogs. Signs include confusion, disorientation, changes in sleep-wake cycles, and increased restlessness, especially in the evenings (sometimes called "sundowner syndrome"). If you've noticed your senior pet seems confused, more anxious, or not like their usual self, it's worth a conversation with our team.
Dental Care
Dental disease is extremely common in senior cats and dogs. Years of tartar buildup, untreated gingivitis, and damaged teeth can cause significant pain and contribute to systemic health problems. Many pet owners hesitate to pursue dental care for their older pets out of concern for anesthesia, but that shouldn't stand in the way of treatment. In many cases, a healthy senior pet can safely undergo a professional dental cleaning, which can dramatically boost their comfort and quality of life.
Dental Care
Dental disease is extremely common in senior cats and dogs. Years of tartar buildup, untreated gingivitis, and damaged teeth can cause significant pain and contribute to systemic health problems. Many pet owners hesitate to pursue dental care for their older pets out of concern for anesthesia, but that shouldn't stand in the way of treatment. In many cases, a healthy senior pet can safely undergo a professional dental cleaning, which can dramatically boost their comfort and quality of life.
Nutritional Counseling
Senior pets often have different nutritional needs than their younger counterparts. For example, there are research-backed senior diets that support joint health, cognitive function, and weight management. Our team will help you evaluate your pet's current weight and diet, and recommend adjustments that address their specific health conditions and life stage.
End-of-Life Planning & Quality of Life Assessments
One of the most important questions senior pet owners ask us is, “How will I know when it's time?” Our compassionate team helps guide families through this process thoughtfully and without judgment. We’ll help you look at different quality-of-life indicators, including social engagement with family, appetite, mobility, and overall comfort. When the time comes, we'll walk through every step with you.
Signs Your Senior Pet May Need Veterinary Care
Because aging pets compensate so well for discomfort, it can be hard to know when something is wrong. You should schedule a vet appointment if you notice any of the following changes in your senior pet:
-
Reluctance to use stairs or jump onto furniture they used to love
-
Sleeping significantly more than usual, or excessive fatigue after mild activity
-
Changes in appetite or unexplained weight loss
-
Drinking more water and urinating more frequently (especially in cats)
-
New or worsening stiffness, limping, or changes in gait
-
Confusion, disorientation, or increased nighttime restlessness
-
New aggression or other behavioral changes
-
Bad breath, drooling, or difficulty eating
-
Lumps, bumps, or masses that are new or growing
Why Choose PAWS as Your Columbus Senior Pet Care Provider
Proactive, Not Reactive
Individualized Care Plans
Low-Stress Handling
We don't wait for problems to become serious. Biannual exams, routine imaging, and targeted blood work help us stay ahead of age-related disease.
Every pet has unique care needs. That’s why we tailor our recommendations to your dog or cat’s breed, health history, and lifestyle—not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Senior pets can sometimes be anxious or sensitive to handling. We use gentle, patient-centered techniques to make every visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Medical Expertise Across Specialties
From dental health and pain management to behavioral changes and end-of-life care, our veterinarians are equipped to support your senior pet across all dimensions of their health.
A Team That Cares
We know how much your pet means to you. You can trust our team to approach every visit with the same dedication and compassion we'd want for our own pets.
How Much Does Senior Pet Care Near Me Cost?
The average cost of Columbus senior pet care for cats and dogs varies. It depends on factors like your pet's specific health needs, how frequently they receive care, and which diagnostics or treatments are recommended.
Our team will work with you to prioritize care that makes sense for your pet and your budget. For instance, spreading certain services across biannual visits can be a practical way to manage costs over time. Investing in proactive senior care can also help prevent more expensive interventions down the road.
Did You Know?
Not all pets become “seniors” at the same age. Breed and body size play a major role, especially in dogs. Large and giant breed dogs may enter their senior years as early as 4 to 6 years of age, while smaller breeds like Yorkies and Chihuahuas may not reach seniorhood until 10 to 12 years old. Cats are generally considered senior around 10 years of age. Our team will help you understand where your pet falls on the spectrum—and what level of monitoring and care is right for them.
"People often assume their senior pet is 'just slowing down with age.' But slowing down isn't always normal—it's often a sign of pain or disease that we can treat. Our goal is to help pets stay comfortable and engaged in life for as long as possible."
— Dr. Jenna Bonfiglio, Co-Founder and Veterinarian
Frequently Asked Questions About Vet Care for Senior Pets
We recommend biannual exams, meaning check-ups every six months. Because so much can change in a short period of time, more frequent monitoring allows us to catch disease early and adjust care plans as needed. It also helps families distribute care costs across visits in a manageable way.
Yes. Animals are experts at masking pain and discomfort. Many conditions—including kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, and early-stage cancer—can progress significantly before any outward signs appear. Routine exams and blood work give us visibility into what's happening internally, even when your pet seems perfectly comfortable at home.
Advanced age doesn’t necessarily rule out anesthesia for dogs or cats. In fact, a healthy 15-year-old pet may be a better candidate for anesthesia than an unhealthy 7-year-old pet.
At PAWS, our goal is always to ensure the safest possible experience for your pet. We use advanced anesthetic monitoring equipment and customize every anesthetic plan based on your pet's individual health status and history. For older pets or those with underlying health concerns, we may recommend pre-anesthetic blood work and chest X-rays to assess risk.
Arthritis and mobility-related pain are by far the most common concerns we see, often going unrecognized by owners because the decline is so gradual. Other common issues include dental disease, cognitive dysfunction, cancer, and weight changes related to metabolic conditions. Behavioral changes like new aggression are also common, and may signal underlying pain that needs to be addressed. At PAWS, we provide comprehensive senior dog care in Columbus for a wide range of health issues.
Senior cats most commonly develop chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, dental disease, and cognitive dysfunction. Many of these conditions present with similar symptoms, such as weight loss, increased thirst and urination, and changes in appetite or behavior. These similarities are one of the reasons why blood work is such a critical screening tool for aging cats. Our experienced veterinary team offers a wide range of services focused on senior cat care in Columbus.
Most pets don't vocalize pain the way we'd expect. Instead, they adapt: they stop doing things that hurt. If your dog used to jump on the couch and no longer does, or your cat hasn't climbed to their favorite perch in months, those changes may reflect discomfort rather than preference. Ask yourself questions like, “Can my pet use stairs comfortably? Can they get up and down from furniture without hesitation?” Any changes in these abilities are worth a conversation with our team.
This is one of the most important and personal conversations we have with pet owners. A helpful starting point can be to think about five things your pet loves, like playing, going for walks, greeting you at the door, eating their favorite food, and cuddling. When your pet is no longer able or willing to engage with those things consistently, it's time to take a closer look at their quality of life. Our team will help guide you through this process with compassion and honesty, and never with judgment.
Give Your Senior Pet the Quality Vet Care They Deserve
If you're searching for elderly cat care or senior dog care in Columbus, Ohio, PAWS is here for you and your pet—every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your senior pet's wellness exam or consultation.
Location & Hours
PAWS Veterinary Primary Care 8321 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43235
Phone: (614) 647-2499
Email: info@pawsvetprimarycare.com
Hours: Open daily 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM CLOSED WEDNESDAYS + WEEKENDS