Senior dog & cat care, made simple
Honest answers for your pet’s golden years
Plain-English guides for living well with older dogs and cats, written by a real pet household and grounded in trusted veterinary sources.
From a real pet homeFour rescues under one roof, including two seniors we care for every day.
Grounded in vet sourcesFacts checked against trusted veterinary references, in words anyone can follow.
Know when to call the vetEvery health guide spells out the warning signs that need a professional.
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Our most-loved guides, straight from life with our own senior pets.
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Find answers for the pet you have and the question on your mind.
Latest articles
New guides every week, focused on helping older pets live comfortably.
- How to Help a Senior Dog With Stairs: Safe, Simple Fixes for Older Dogs
Senior dog stairs trouble is common. Most older dogs do better with traction on the steps, a support harness, good lighting and a gate, plus a vet check to find the cause. - How to Keep a Senior Dog Warm in Winter: A Practical Guide for Cold Months
Want to keep a senior dog warm in winter? Older dogs lose heat faster, so a raised padded bed, a well-fitted sweater, shorter walks and a draft-free home make the biggest difference. - Christmas Tree Safety for Cats: How to Keep Your Cat (and Your Tree) Safe This Season
Christmas tree safety for cats comes down to a stable, anchored tree, covered water, protected light cords and no tinsel. Here is how to set up a cat-safe tree, including tips for senior cats. - Caring for Senior Cats: Life With Our 12-Year-Old Brother-and-Sister Tabbies
Max and Molly are 12-year-old littermates aging in completely different ways: Max still chases lasers, while Molly has slowed down with stiff hips. Here’s what we’ve learned about caring for senior cats. - When the Cat Is the Pest: How Our Cats and Dogs Share One Home
In our house it’s not the dogs chasing the cat. It’s Max, our 12-year-old orange tabby, who steals the dogs’ beds and puts his tail in their faces. Here’s how two cats and two dogs share one home. - Life With a Senior Yorkie: What 14-Year-Old Gracie Has Taught Us
Our rescue Yorkie, Gracie, turns 15 this December. She’s deaf, carried on the stairs and done with fetch, but still loves her yard sniffs. Here’s what senior Yorkie care really looks like in our house.
Seasonal guide
Winter is hard on older pets
Cold floors, icy sidewalks and busy holidays all hit senior dogs and cats harder. Start with these:
Hi, I’m Derek.
My wife and I share our Chicago home with four rescues: Gracie, our almost-15-year-old Yorkie, Sabrina, a Poodle/Bichon mix, and 12-year-old tabby siblings Max and Molly. Petstachio is where we share what we’ve learned.