Special needs of senior pets

Senior pets need more attention and care. Their senses deteriorate, they can develop arthritis, heart or kidney problems, and need more frequent vet check-ups. Technology can help detect subtle changes before they become serious problems.

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When is a pet considered "senior"?

Large dogs (over 25 kg) are senior from 7 years. Small and medium dogs from 10 years. Cats from 11–12 years. From those ages, technology monitoring is especially useful.

Useful technology for senior pets

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Activity and health monitor

Records steps, sleep hours, rest frequency and detects changes in activity patterns that may indicate pain or illness.

See options →
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Indoor surveillance camera

To detect seizures, falls or abnormal behaviours when you're not home. With motion detection and mobile alerts.

See cameras →
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Portion-controlled feeder

Senior pets often need controlled diets. A smart feeder prevents overfeeding and makes adjusting portions easy.

See feeders →
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Smart water fountain

Hydration is especially important in senior pets with kidney issues. A fountain with sensor detects if your pet isn't drinking enough.

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Orthopaedic bed with sensor

Memory foam beds with weight sensor that records how long your pet sleeps and detects changes in rest patterns.

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Lightweight GPS

Senior pets can become disoriented. A lightweight GPS on the collar helps locate them quickly, especially dogs with cognitive decline.

See GPS →

Health monitors: top picks

Basic

Activity monitor

€30–80

  • Step and activity tracking
  • Sleep hours
  • Weekly trends
  • No monthly fee
⭐ RecommendedFull health

GPS + health monitor

€60–120 + fee

  • GPS location
  • Activity and sleep monitor
  • Unusual behaviour alerts
  • Shareable history with vet
Veterinary

Heart rate monitor

€150–300

  • Real-time heart rate
  • Arrhythmia detection
  • Emergency alerts
  • Vet-compatible records

Tips for adapting the home

  • Ramps and steps: for getting on the sofa or into the car without jumping. Very useful for arthritic breeds.
  • Raised feeder: reduces neck and back strain. Especially useful for dogs with cervical arthritis.
  • Night light: pets with cataracts need more light to navigate at night. A low-intensity LED strip in the hallway helps greatly.
  • Non-slip mats: hardwood floors are dangerous for pets with joint problems or muscle weakness.

Frequently asked questions

From 7 years in large dogs, 9 years in medium dogs and 11 years in cats, it's recommended to increase monitoring. An activity monitor can detect subtle changes months before they're visible to the naked eye, allowing earlier vet intervention.
Activity history (reduction in steps), changes in sleep patterns (more time sleeping or frequent waking) and variations in daily activity levels are the most useful data for the vet. Many monitors allow exporting the history as a PDF.
For pets with diagnosed heart conditions or predisposed breeds (Cavalier King Charles, Boxer, Maine Coon), yes, it can be very useful. For general monitoring, an activity monitor is more than enough and much more affordable.