Hospital Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-6pm | Saturday: 8am-4pm
(519) 896-0532
Whether your dog is slowing down on walks or your cat hasn't been quite themselves, we can help figure out what's happening and what to do about it. We provide senior pet care in Kitchener for dogs and cats, with compassionate support through every stage of aging.
At Kingsdale Animal Hospital, we've provided senior pet care in Kitchener since 1973. Once a pet becomes a senior, the way we care for them needs to change.
They age 5 to 7 times faster than us
One year between annual checkups for a older pet is the equivalent of a person skipping more than half a decade of medical care.
Senior pets hide illness well
By the time you notice symptoms at home, conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism are often well advanced and harder to treat.
Early catches change outcomes
Coming in regularly (every 6-12 months), and running the right diagnostics gives us a much clearer picture of what's changing, and when to act.
These are starting points, not hard rules. We adjust based on your individual pet's health history and existing conditions.
Senior pets don't always show obvious signs of illness. Kidney disease, thyroid problems, and chronic pain can be well advanced before you notice anything at home.
That's the main reason we recommend more frequent exams and bloodwork once a pet enters their golden years.
Comfort & Pain Management
Librela® & Solensia® Injections
Monthly monoclonal antibody injection that targets arthritis pain at its source. Librela for dogs, Solensia for cats.
Pain Medication
Veterinary anti-inflammatories formulated specifically for dogs or cats.
Joint Supplements
Omega-3s, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support joint health alongside other treatments.
Therapeutic Laser Therapy
Available in-clinic. Non-invasive sessions that reduce inflammation and pain in arthritic joints.
Lifestyle & Nutrition
Senior Nutrition
Senior formulas, kidney-supportive diets, or prescription nutrition based on what your pet's bloodwork shows.
Weight Management
Less weight means less load on painful joints. We'll work with you on a senior-appropriate feeding plan.
Home Adjustments
Ramps instead of stairs, orthopedic beds, raised food bowls, and non-slip mats make daily life easier.
Compassionate Care
Palliative Care & Quality of Life Assessment
For pets with advanced disease, the focus shifts to comfort and symptom management. We work with you on what that looks like day to day. We'll also give you the tools to help assess your pet's quality of life.
End-of-Life & Aftercare
Peaceful in-clinic euthanasia, honest conversations about prognosis, and aftercare options including cremation. We support you through every decision at your pace.
Cats are very good at hiding illness. A 14-year-old cat that seems fine can still have early kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or high blood pressure. Bloodwork and a full exam will tell us far more than behaviour alone.
It’s similar to dementia in people. Older pets can become disoriented, develop changes in sleep cycles, forget housetraining, seem anxious for no clear reason, or get “stuck” staring at walls. It’s a recognized medical condition with specific treatment options. If you’ve noticed any behavioural shifts in your older pet, mention it at your next visit.
For most dogs and cats, we start recommending senior bloodwork around age 7. For large and giant breeds, we often start earlier. Establishing a baseline while your pet is still healthy helps us spot subtle changes in future panels.
Whenever you’re ready. There’s no wrong time to have that conversation. We can help you understand your pet’s prognosis, manage symptoms comfortably, and think through decisions without pressure. It’s one of the most important things we do.
It depends on a number of factors. Your vet will work with you and your pet to figure out what makes sense based on their lifestyle, health status, and history. Learn more on our vaccinations page.
