Is Winter Making Your Senior Pet Uncomfortable?

As temperatures drop, winter can be especially challenging for senior pets. Ageing dogs and cats often feel the cold more intensely than younger animals, and existing health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, and reduced mobility can become more noticeable during the colder months.

While winter brings cosy evenings and extra cuddles, it is also the perfect time to pay closer attention to your pet's health and wellbeing. Small changes in their routine can make a significant difference to their comfort, safety, and quality of life.

Why Winter Can Be Harder on Senior Pets

As pets age, their bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature. Reduced muscle mass, slower circulation, and age-related health conditions can make it more difficult for them to stay warm.

Many senior pets may experience:

• Increased joint stiffness and arthritis discomfort

• Reduced mobility and activity levels

• Weakened immune function

• Changes in appetite or drinking habits

• Increased sensitivity to cold weather

Because these changes often happen gradually, they can be easy to overlook until they begin affecting your pet's daily life.

Signs Your Senior Pet May Be Struggling This Winter

Keep an eye out for signs that your older pet may need extra support:

In Dogs

• Reluctance to go for walks

• Difficulty standing up after resting

• Slower movement or limping

• Increased sleeping

• Weight gain due to reduced activity

In Cats

• Sleeping more than usual

• Avoiding stairs or jumping

• Changes in grooming habits

• Reduced activity or playfulness

• Spending more time hiding or seeking warm spots

If you notice any of these changes, a veterinary health check can help identify whether an underlying condition is contributing to their discomfort.

Winter Wellness Tips for Senior Dogs and Cats

1. Keep Them Warm and Comfortable

Provide warm, draft-free sleeping areas away from cold floors and doors. Orthopaedic bedding can be particularly beneficial for pets with arthritis or joint pain.

Some senior pets may also benefit from pet-safe jackets during colder mornings and evenings, especially short-haired breeds.

2. Maintain Gentle Exercise

Regular movement helps keep joints flexible and supports muscle strength.

For dogs, shorter and more frequent walks may be more comfortable than one long outing.

For cats, gentle indoor play sessions can encourage movement without overexertion.

3. Support Joint Health

Cold weather often makes arthritis symptoms more noticeable.

If your pet appears stiff, hesitant to move, or uncomfortable, speak with your veterinarian about pain management options, supplements, or treatment plans designed to support mobility.

4. Monitor Food and Water Intake

Senior pets still need adequate hydration during winter, even if they seem less thirsty.

Fresh water should always be available, and any changes in appetite, drinking habits, or weight should be discussed with your veterinarian.

5. Schedule Regular Health Checks

Many age-related conditions develop gradually and may not show obvious symptoms until they become more advanced.

Routine wellness testing allows your veterinarian to detect potential concerns early, often before your pet appears unwell.

Why Senior Wellness Screening Matters

As pets enter their senior years, preventive healthcare becomes increasingly important.

Comprehensive wellness testing can help identify:

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Diabetes

• Thyroid disorders

• Urinary tract issues

• Underlying infections

• Certain types of cancer and abnormal lumps

Early detection often means more treatment options, better management, and improved long-term outcomes for your pet.

Save 20% This June with Our Senior Winter Wellness Packages

To help senior pets stay healthy throughout winter, Goodna Vet is offering a 20% saving on Senior Wellness Packages from June 1 to June 30 only.

Senior Cat Wellness Package – $342

Package includes:

• Extended Consult

• Comprehensive Blood Test including Total T4

• Blood Glucose Test

• Urine Test

Senior Dog Wellness Package – $393

Package includes:

• Extended Consult

• Comprehensive Blood Test

• Lump Check (FNA of up to 2 Lumps)

• Urine Test

These comprehensive screenings are designed to identify health concerns early and provide valuable insights into your pet's overall wellbeing.

Give Your Senior Pet the Care They Deserve This Winter

Winter is the perfect time to prioritise your senior pet's health. A proactive wellness check can help uncover hidden issues, support healthy ageing, and keep your furry companion comfortable throughout the colder months.

Our Senior Winter Wellness Packages are available for a limited time only until June 30.

Book your pet's Senior Wellness Package today and help them enjoy a healthier, happier winter.

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Goodna Vet is your trusted partner for exceptional pet care, proudly serving Goodna and surrounding communities including Collingwood Park, Bellbird Park, Redbank Plains, Redbank, Riverview, Dinmore, Bundamba, Ebbw Vale, and North Ipswich. We also care for pets across Greater Springfield, including Springfield, Springfield Lakes, Brookwater, Augustine Heights, and Spring Mountain, along with nearby suburbs such as Camira, Gailes, Carole Park, Wacol, Darra, Oxley, Seventeen Mile Rocks, Sumner, Jindalee, Sinnamon Park, Mount Ommaney, Westlake, Riverhills, Middle Park, and Jamboree Heights.

Our services extend to Forest Lake, Richlands, Inala, Ellen Grove, Karalee, Karana Downs, and Barellan Point, making quality veterinary care accessible to pet owners across Ipswich and Brisbane’s western corridor.

Your pet’s well-being is always our priority, and we look forward to welcoming you both to our clinic.

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