The Senior Dog & Cat Care Bible

The Senior Dog & Cat Care Bible is a complete 133-page senior pet care manual for the years most owners feel least prepared for. Senior does not begin at the same age for every pet — a giant-breed dog is geriatric at six while a cat is not considered senior until ten. This guide shows you exactly what changes, what to screen for, and how to keep an aging animal comfortable, mobile and engaged across 25 detailed chapters.

What you will learn

• When "senior" actually starts: life-stage tables by species, size and breed, plus the senior wellness exam and the screening schedule that catches disease early.
• The conditions that define old age: arthritis and pain, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and the IRIS stages, cancer, diabetes, and thyroid disorders in both dogs and cats.
• Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome: recognising pet dementia, and the environmental and routine changes that genuinely help.
• Nutrition and mobility: separate senior feeding chapters for dogs and cats, appropriate exercise, weight management, and joint support.
• Daily comfort: dental, skin and nail care, vision and hearing loss, incontinence, managing a pet on multiple medications, and home modifications that restore independence.
• The hardest chapter: hospice care, quality-of-life assessment and end-of-life planning, written honestly and without euphemism.

Why this guide is different

Most senior pet advice stops at "feed a senior diet and visit the vet more often." This book gives you the reasoning behind each recommendation, so you can have a better conversation with your veterinary team rather than simply following instructions. It includes a monthly and annual senior wellness checklist, a senior nutrition quick reference, and 50 frequently asked questions. For general life-stage guidance you can also review the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Who this book is for

Owners of dogs aged seven and up, cats aged ten and up, anyone who has just been told their pet has an age-related diagnosis, and adopters of senior rescues who want to give a good final chapter.

Medical disclaimer: this book is educational and is not veterinary medical advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian before changing your pet's diet, medication or care plan, and never use it to delay professional care for a sick or injured animal.

Continue in the Dog Care & Training library, the full Pet Care collection, or pair it with the Pet First Aid & Emergency Care Bible.

Further reading: the American Veterinary Medical Association publishes owner guidance on senior pet health, and ASPCA Pet Care covers day-to-day welfare. Reading widely? The All-Access Pass unlocks every title in the Arb Digital Library.

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