Is My Pet Getting Old? 6 Signs of Aging to Watch For

Senior pets have a special kind of sweetness. They know the routines. They know their favorite nap spots. They know exactly how to ask for one more treat!

But aging can bring changes that are easy to miss at first. Your dog may take a little longer to stand up. Your cat may stop jumping onto the windowsill. Maybe your pet sleeps more, plays less, or seems a little different at night.

Some changes are a normal part of getting older. Others may point to pain or an illness that deserves attention.

As Certified Veterinary Technicians, we always encourage pet families to notice small changes early. Early conversations with your veterinarian can help your pet stay comfortable and enjoy more good days at home.

Here are six signs of aging to watch for in dogs and cats.

1. A graying face or changing body

A gray or white muzzle is one of the most familiar signs of aging in dogs. You may also see lighter fur around the eyes or face. Cats can show coat changes too, although they may be more subtle.

Gray fur by itself is usually not a concern. It is simply one little reminder that your pet is getting older.

Weight and muscle changes deserve closer attention.

Senior pets may gain weight as they become less active. They may also lose muscle along the spine, hips, or legs. Unplanned weight loss can sometimes be linked to dental pain, kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid changes, or other health concerns.

A dull coat or less grooming can also be meaningful. Cats, especially, may stop grooming hard-to-reach areas if they feel stiff or uncomfortable.

Try checking your pet’s weight regularly and keep notes. Even a small trend can be helpful information for your veterinarian. Merck Animal Health offers additional guidance about weight changes and other senior pet signs.

2. Stiffness, slower movement, or trouble getting comfortable

Does your pet take longer to get up after a nap? Are stairs becoming harder? Maybe your dog no longer wants to jump into the car, or your cat has stopped climbing to favorite resting places.

These can be signs of joint pain, arthritis, muscle loss, or another mobility concern.

Pets are very good at hiding discomfort. They may not cry or limp. Instead, they simply change what they do.

Watch for:

• Stiffness after resting
• A slower pace on walks
• Reluctance to use stairs
• Trouble jumping onto furniture
• Limping or changes in gait
• Licking at a joint
• Restlessness when trying to lie down
• Less interest in being touched in certain areas

Aging does not mean your pet has to be uncomfortable. Your veterinarian can assess the joints and discuss options for pain management, nutrition, movement, and home changes.

At Paw Prints On The Move, we can also help with gentle mobility checks during an in-home visit. We look at how your pet moves through familiar spaces and share observations that may be useful to you and your veterinary team.

3. More sleep and less interest in play

Older pets often sleep more. That can be perfectly normal. Your once-busy puppy may now prefer a quiet afternoon nap, and your senior cat may spend more time curled up in a sunny spot.

The important question is: Has the change been gradual, or did it happen suddenly?

A senior pet may naturally enjoy shorter walks and calmer play. But a sudden drop in energy can be a sign of pain or illness.

You may notice:

• Less interest in toys
• Shorter walks
• Tiring more quickly
• Sleeping at different times
• No longer greeting you at the door
• Less interest in food, treats, or favorite activities

Try offering low-impact activities. A slow sniff walk, gentle brushing, food puzzle, or short play session can provide enrichment without asking too much from tired joints.

Your pet’s routine still matters. Familiar activities, quiet rest areas, and gentle attention can help them feel secure.

4. Bathroom accidents or litter box changes

Accidents are not something to simply dismiss as “old age.”

A dog who suddenly has accidents indoors may be dealing with a urinary infection, kidney disease, incontinence, pain, or cognitive changes. A cat who stops using the litter box may have urinary discomfort, constipation, arthritis, kidney disease, or trouble getting into the box.

Look for changes such as:

• Urinating more often
• Drinking more water
• Straining to urinate
• Urinating or defecating outside the litter box
• Difficulty reaching the litter box in time
• Avoiding a box with high sides
• Crying or seeming uncomfortable in the box
• Changes in urine odor, color, or amount

Please contact your veterinarian about new bathroom changes. Your pet may need an exam, urine testing, blood work, or other evaluation.

For cats, make the litter box easier to access. A low-entry box may help a stiff senior cat. Keeping food, water, bedding, and litter nearby can also make daily life easier.

And if your cat is straining to urinate or producing little to no urine, contact a veterinarian right away.

5. Changes in vision or hearing

Some senior pets do not respond to sounds the way they used to. They may sleep through the doorbell, fail to come when called, or startle when approached from behind.

Hearing loss can happen gradually. It can also be caused by an ear infection or another treatable problem, so it is worth mentioning to your veterinarian.

Vision changes may look like:

• Bumping into furniture
• Hesitating in dim light
• Becoming nervous on stairs
• Missing toys or treats
• Having cloudy-looking eyes
• Trouble finding the food bowl
• Acting unsure in a familiar room

Some older pets develop a normal bluish haze in the lens of the eye. Still, your veterinarian should check any eye change to rule out cataracts, glaucoma, inflammation, or other concerns.

At home, keep furniture in the same place when possible. Add night lights. Use your voice, hand signals, and gentle touch to help your pet understand what is happening.

Approach slowly, especially if your pet cannot hear or see you clearly. Quiet, Fear Free handling helps senior pets feel safe.

6. Behavior changes, confusion, or increased anxiety

Aging can affect the way pets think, respond, and interact with the world around them.

You may notice that your dog paces at night, stares at walls, gets stuck in corners, or seems confused in a familiar room. A cat may vocalize more, wander around, sleep at unusual times, or forget where the litter box is.

Other behavior changes can include:

• Less interest in family members
• Increased clinginess
• Irritability when touched
• New fear of noises
• Restlessness at night
• Increased vocalization
• Forgetting familiar routines
• Getting lost or stuck in familiar spaces

These signs can be associated with cognitive dysfunction, but they can also happen with pain, vision loss, hearing loss, thyroid disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions.

Your veterinarian can help look for the cause. A simple daily journal can be useful. Write down when the behavior happens, what your pet was doing beforehand, eating and drinking changes, and how long the episode lasts.

Why early detection matters

Pets cannot tell us when something hurts. They often adapt quietly until a problem has progressed.

That is why small observations matter.

A weight check, a note about sleep, or a video of your pet walking can give your veterinary team helpful information. Regular senior wellness visits may include a physical exam, weight check, dental discussion, blood work, urine testing, or other recommendations based on your pet’s age and health history.

Please check in with your veterinarian if you notice:

• Sudden or ongoing weight loss
• A major appetite change
• Increased thirst or urination
• New accidents
• Pain, limping, or trouble standing
• Sudden confusion or behavior changes
• Eye redness, squinting, or sudden vision problems
• Vomiting or diarrhea that continues
• Trouble breathing, collapse, or extreme weakness

Sudden or severe symptoms should be treated as urgent.

How a CVT can support your senior pet at home

Home care can be especially helpful for pets who become anxious during travel or veterinary visits. It can also be a good fit for pets with mobility limits, chronic conditions, or a strong preference for familiar surroundings.

During an in-home visit, a Certified Veterinary Technician can help with practical support such as:

• Gentle mobility observations
• Weight checks
• Nail trims for safer footing
• Medication reminders and routine support
• Comfort-focused handling
• Grooming assistance
• Notes to share with your veterinarian
• Care coordination with your pet’s veterinary team

At Paw Prints On The Move, we provide compassionate care in the comfort of your home. Chris Costa, CVT, FFCP, brings professional veterinary experience and a Fear Free approach to each visit.

We do not replace your veterinarian. We work alongside your veterinarian to support the care plan and help your pet stay comfortable between appointments.

Senior pets deserve extra patience and lots of love

Getting older is not a disease. It is a new stage of life.

With regular veterinary care, a comfortable home setup, gentle movement, and plenty of personal attention, many senior pets continue to enjoy their favorite people and routines for years.

So keep watching. Keep noticing. Keep those little notes.

And give that gray muzzle an extra kiss from us! 🐾

If your senior dog or cat could use calm, personalized support at home in Maple Shade, Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Deptford, Mount Laurel, Burlington, Marlton, or surrounding New Jersey communities, learn more about Paw Prints On The Move. You can also book an in-home visit, email info@pawprintsonthemove.com, or call 856-701-0123.