Written by Dr. Lauren Barrow, Caring Pathways veterinarian in Virginia Beach
Maggie, Bill, and the Question So Many Families Ask
A few months ago, I had a senior hospice patient, a chocolate Lab we’ll call Maggie, who was diagnosed with several common older dog problems: arthritis, a bit of liver and kidney dysfunction, decreased vision and hearing, and she was starting to show some signs of dementia. Her owner, a very sweet man we’ll call Bill, had completely rearranged his home and life to accommodate her. He had rugs lining every inch of his hardwood floor. He spent hours each day counting out her medications and supplements and getting her to take them. He was sleeping on the sofa each night since she couldn’t get up the stairs, and he had taken a leave of absence from work so he didn’t have to leave her side. He admitted to me that he was using up his savings to care for her, and he had scheduled an appointment with the veterinary internal medicine specialist just to be sure there wasn’t something else to be done.
Bill’s first question to me was, “Am I doing enough for her?”
My question right back to him was, “What is enough?”
What Does “Doing Enough” Mean for a Senior Pet?
There is no simple answer to that question. In fact, I think there may be several versions of the correct answer for every family. And, as time marches on and the picture changes, the answer to that question will probably change several times, too.
I would never presume to tell a family where to draw the line on enough. In fact, I see it as part of my job to share the different ways we can care for our dogs and cats and help people figure out what’s best for everyone involved.
When you ask yourself, Am I doing enough for my senior pet? There are many factors to consider.
Factors to Consider When Caring for a Senior Pet
-
Family finances: Do you have the means to pay for medications, treatments, veterinary visits, and other care?
-
Time available: Do caregivers have time to give treatments, take their pet to appointments, and provide support at home?
-
Family structure: Are there other family members, children, or pets that need care too? Are there others who can help out?
-
Access to veterinary care: Do you live near a major specialty center or veterinary school? Do you have a veterinarian who can make house calls?
-
Your pet’s diagnosis and prognosis: Are your pet’s medical conditions treatable, manageable, or terminal?
-
Your pet’s personality: Do they hate going to the vet, riding in the car, taking pills, getting injections, or meeting strangers?
Take these factors into consideration and talk to your family and your veterinarian to evaluate priorities, gauge possible outcomes, and make a plan. If you can, ask yourself what your pet would say if he or she could speak to you. After all, you know your pet best. You are his or her voice.
Tips to Support Your Senior Pet’s Quality of Life
So, if there’s not one universal answer to What is enough?, where do you start?
Here’s a list of general tips to help maintain your senior pet’s quality of life as he or she ages:
-
Aim for at least twice-yearly veterinary visits once they hit senior status, either at the clinic or with home hospice care.
-
Manage joint pain and mobility with medications, supplements, and other modalities such as laser therapy and acupuncture.
-
Maintain a healthy weight with a high-quality senior diet.
-
Go on slower walks, and use rugs, ramps, toe grips, and orthopedic beds when mobility is limited.
-
Support your pet’s mental health with puzzle toys, gentle training, and/or snuffle mats to help keep the mind agile.
-
Go on sniffing walks or use a wagon when mobility is limited.
-
Monitor your pet’s quality of life by keeping a journal to record daily joy, including appetite, mobility, pain level, and interaction.
-
Watch for sudden changes in behavior, increased aggression, changes in sleeping habits, house-training accidents, difficulty getting up, or reluctance to move.
-
Be alert for when bad days begin to outnumber the good.
Follow your heart and use your brain, but remember that consistency of routine and giving your pet love and attention are what matter most. If you’re having trouble or would like some assistance or advice, consider working with a veterinarian who specializes in comfort care to help guide these decisions.
Don’t Forget the Human Side of Senior Pet Care
Finally, don’t forget yourself, your family, and the human side of this stage in your senior pet’s life. Manage your own emotions and expectations. Expect feelings of anticipatory grief and possibly guilt when making decisions, and be realistic about when you need help.
So, what happened with Bill and Maggie?
Well, Bill, Maggie, and I had a very nice conversation about what Maggie really needed from Bill. He was able to cut back on the supplements she didn’t like and that weren’t really helping anyway. He set up a nanny camera so he could watch her at night while sleeping in his own bed, which saved his back. He also arranged to work from home a couple of days a week so he could pay his bills.
He kept the rugs but decided against the specialist visit, focusing instead on her quality of life at home. They were able to spend several happy months together before she was euthanized at home, with Bill by her side.
Asking yourself if you are doing enough for your senior dog or cat is natural when you love them the way you do, and I wish there were a simple answer. I can safely say the correct answer is rarely everything, and it is worth the time and effort to sit down and discuss options with your family and a veterinarian experienced in end-of-life care.
How Caring Pathways Helps
Our veterinarians are dedicated to supporting pets and families through every stage of the end-of-life journey:
- In-home Comfort Care (veterinary hospice)
- Comprehensive Quality-of-Life Assessments
- Virtual Quality-of-Life Consultations with a Veterinary Professional
- Peaceful In-home Euthanasia
- Ongoing Grief Support for families
Our mission is to ensure comfort, dignity, and compassion in every moment your pet spends at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I’m doing enough for my senior dog?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. What is enough depends on your dog’s medical condition, quality of life, personality, your family’s capacity, and the realistic options available to you. A veterinarian can help you sort through those factors and build a care plan that fits your dog and your family.
What helps improve a senior pet’s quality of life?
Common ways to support quality of life include regular veterinary care, pain management, mobility support, a healthy diet, mental enrichment, routine, and close monitoring of daily comfort and behavior changes.
When should I consider hospice or comfort care for my pet?
Hospice or comfort care may be helpful when your pet has a chronic, progressive, or terminal condition and your focus is on comfort, symptom management, and quality of life rather than cure.
How do I know when my pet is having more bad days than good?
Signs may include worsening pain, mobility decline, appetite loss, behavior changes, house-training accidents, confusion, withdrawal, or a noticeable loss of joy in daily life. Keeping a journal or daily tracking calendar can help you identify patterns over time.
How often should a senior dog or cat see a veterinarian?
Many senior pets benefit from at least twice-yearly veterinary visits. Some pets with multiple health conditions or changing symptoms may need more frequent check-ins.