At what age does a pet count as a senior?

It varies by size and species. Large dog breeds are often considered senior around 6-7 years, small dogs and cats closer to 10-11 years. Your vet can tell you what's typical for your pet's breed.

How often should senior pets be checked?

Many Denver vets recommend twice-yearly exams for senior pets instead of once a year, since age-related conditions can progress faster than a 12-month gap would catch.

What bloodwork is usually included?

A typical senior panel checks kidney values, liver enzymes, blood sugar, thyroid, and a complete blood count. Urinalysis is often added to assess kidney concentration ability.

Senior pet wellness exams in Denver

A senior wellness visit is a different appointment than a routine annual checkup. Vets typically add bloodwork panels to check kidney and liver function, screen for thyroid issues, check joints for arthritis, and often recommend more frequent visits (every 6 months instead of yearly) once a dog or cat passes roughly 7-10 years old depending on breed and size.

This matters in Denver because a lot of general practice listings advertise "wellness exams" without specifying that senior pets need a different workup. If your pet is older and slowing down, having stiff joints, drinking more water, or losing weight, ask specifically for a senior panel rather than a standard exam.

Ask whether bloodwork and urinalysis are included or billed separately
Mention any behavior changes: increased thirst, accidents, stiffness getting up, appetite changes
Large breed dogs often need this shift earlier, around age 6-7, than small breeds

What it costs

Senior exams cost more than a standard wellness visit because they include bloodwork panels and often urinalysis to catch kidney, liver, or thyroid problems early. Additional imaging like x-rays for arthritis or an abdominal ultrasound if bloodwork flags something will add to the total. Many Denver clinics offer senior wellness packages that bundle the exam and labs at a lower combined cost than booking separately.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for general veterinary care.

1. Berkeley Animal Hospital
5.0★ · 170 reviews

93
2. Wellshire Animal Hospital
4.9★ · 351 reviews

93
3. Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake
5.0★ · 142 reviews

91

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FAQ

At what age does a pet count as a senior?: It varies by size and species. Large dog breeds are often considered senior around 6-7 years, small dogs and cats closer to 10-11 years. Your vet can tell you what's typical for your pet's breed.
How often should senior pets be checked?: Many Denver vets recommend twice-yearly exams for senior pets instead of once a year, since age-related conditions can progress faster than a 12-month gap would catch.
What bloodwork is usually included?: A typical senior panel checks kidney values, liver enzymes, blood sugar, thyroid, and a complete blood count. Urinalysis is often added to assess kidney concentration ability.