Strategic design of geriatric pet programs in veterinary practice: Part 1

Veterinary practices excel at celebrating the beginning of a pet’s life. Puppy and kitten programs are comprehensive, engaging, and designed to support families through developmental milestones with preventive medicine, nutrition advice, behavioral counseling, and client education. Yet, as our patients age, many practices lack an equally structured program for senior pets and geriatrics.

According to the 2023 American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, senior canines and felines represent 44% of the pet population, nearly 72 million senior pets, in the US.¹ However, according to a 2025 internal study by Lap of Love and Vetsource, 44% of dogs and nearly 60% of cats have not seen their veterinarian in the 12 months preceding their euthanasia appointment.²

As an end-of-life care veterinarian, this author has daily experience discussing the barriers to veterinary care in the senior and geriatric stages of our patients’ lives. Most families report that it’s too physically difficult and/or stressful to get pets into the car and veterinary office, they don’t want to feel pressure to pursue diagnostics or treatments that may be futile given their pet’s life stage, or they are afraid the only recommendation will be euthanasia.

A thoughtfully designed geriatric program can improve quality of life, strengthen the human-an- imal bond, and create a sustainable model for both families and veterinary teams. This article outlines the framework for building a program to prepare for the most commonly seen obstacles, while focusing on medical, emotional, and logistical support for aging pets and their caregivers.

Identifying the “cracks” in end-of-life care

As those statistics show, even the most compas- sionate practices often encounter patients who “fall through the cracks” in end-of-life care. These may be communication or policy gaps where families may lose confidence, pets may suffer unnecessarily, and the veterinary team may feel unprepared to provide the most meaningful guidance. These cracks can take several forms, as follows:

• Awareness gaps: Clients may not recognize subtle signs of decline, such as increased restlessness at night, changes in gait, or reduced enthusiasm for food and play. Without veterinary input, they may dismiss these as normal aging rather than recognizing them as clinical red flags that could benefit from intervention sooner rather than later.

• Veterinary client-patient relationship (VCPR) expirations: Lapsed VCPRs can delay timely care. Families often wait until a crisis arises before reestablishing contact, leaving pets without preventive or palliative support in the interim.
• Policy confusion: Some hospital protocols may inadvertently create barriers by requiring diagnostics, procedures, or treatments as conditions of continued care. Geriatric pet owners, however, may be unwilling or unable to pursue these diagnostics or interventions, leaving them feeling excluded from care altogether. This creates tension between practice policy and client values.
• Owner overcorrection: Without veterinary guidance, pet families may assume that euthanasia is the only reasonable treatment option when a new issue arises. For example, a sudden vestibular episode, progressive weakness, or incontinence is often interpreted as an immediate and irreversible sign that “it’s time,” when in fact these are common geriatric scenarios that may be managed successfully with supportive care.
• Last-minute scramble: Families who have not engaged in preplanning are left scrambling when a crisis occurs, rushing to make emotionally charged decisions in the face of respiratory distress, collapse, or acute pain. These last-minute scenarios often increase suffering for the pet and distress for the family, leaving veterinary teams struggling to respond in real time.

Underlying all of these cracks are predictable drivers: miscommunication, fear, anxiety, inex- perience, and confusion. A structured geriatric program directly addresses these vulnerabilities by offering proactive education, preplanning, and clear guidance, empowering families and ensuring that pets experience comfort and dignity throughout their later years.

Moving beyond wellness plans

A geriatric program must extend beyond the financial and medical framework of traditional wellness plans. Whereas puppy and kitten programs focus on vaccinations, parasite preven- tion, and growth milestones, senior and geriatric care requires a broader, more holistic approach. Medical care is only one piece of the puzzle; families also need emotional support, practical training, and guidance through the uncertainties of aging.

Financial incentives are an important starting point. Bundled services, such as packages for semiannual exams, diagnostics, or comprehensive geriatric assessments, help families budget and reduce the likelihood of deferring care due to cost. Prescheduled visits also reinforce continuity, ensuring that pets are evaluated before small changes become crises. The 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines provide resources that review recommended monitoring approaches and time- lines, allowing each practice to customize these bundles or discounted services as appropriate for their practice.¹

Equally vital is partnership and collaboration. Geriatric patients often benefit from a team approach that may include rehabilitation specialists, hospice and palliative care providers, nutritionists, and behaviorists. Strong referral networks enable the primary care veterinarian to serve as the central guide, drawing on the expertise of colleagues for complex cases.

Education empowers caregivers to understand what normal aging looks like and to recognize when something is amiss. Clear resources, hand- outs, videos, and checklists on topics such as mobility decline, chronic pain, cognitive dysfunction, and home modifications provide reassurance and direction. Targeted email newsletters, visit handouts, website, and lobby education materials all provide opportunities to introduce and reinforce this information to clients.

Hands-on training ensures that families feel capable in the day-to-day care of their aging companions. This may include instruction in
the use of harnesses, ramps, traction aids, or mobility carts; guidance on medication administration; or exercises that promote strength, balance, and cognitive enrichment. When families are confident in these skills, pets benefit from smoother daily routines and reduced stress. Teaching pets these skills before they experience pain, balance loss, and a loss of confidence in their mobility is key to accepting these aids in their later years.

At the heart of any geriatric program is supporting the human-animal bond. Structured activities—such as senior pet fitness classes, “aging gracefully” workshops, or caregiver support groups—help families feel less isolated, while encouraging ongoing connection with their pets. Celebrating milestones through birthdays, holidays, and photo sessions reinforces joy and reframes the aging process as a stage of life to be cherished rather than feared.

Finally, preplanning is essential. Conversations about end-of-life wishes, aftercare, and memorial options should occur early, when families can reflect without the pressure of a crisis. Preplanning not only reduces fear and uncertainty but also ensures that care aligns with the family’s values and the pet’s needs.

In short, a geriatric program that moves beyond wellness plans creates a road map for both medical and emotional support. It transforms the veterinary team from a service provider into a trusted partner that families can rely on for guidance, reassurance, and comfort through the final stages of their pet’s life.

1. Dhaliwal R, Boynton E, Carrera-Justiz S, et al. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. American Animal Hospital Association. December 9, 2024. Accessed November 14, 2025. https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/
2. Singler E. The “golden years”: encouraging veterinary visits for senior pets. American Animal Hospital Association. August 22, 2025. Accessed November 14, 2025. https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/the-golden-years-encouraging-veterinary-visits-for-senior-pets/