Senior pets represent a large proportion of animals seen in veterinary practice, and these treasured elder pets often require specialized care and monitoring to ensure the senior years are comfortable and enjoyable, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. Differences in species, breed, size, and life span mean that senior plans cannot be one size fits all.

On Jan. 3, AAHA released the 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats to support veterinary teams in their care for each unique senior patient.

“At the core of these guidelines is the understanding that aging is not a disease, but that family members can embrace, love, and enjoy their senior pets,” said Dr. Ravinder Dhaliwal, chair of the task force that prepared the guidelines, in an AAHA announcement.