Senior Pet Care in Grant Park, Atlanta, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Grant Park is a vet in Grant Park, Atlanta, that cares for older dogs and cats. Many vets call a pet a senior around age 7, a little earlier for big dogs. From then on, a checkup about every six months helps the vet catch changes early.

Call (470) 256-0274 or book a senior checkup online.

What changes when my pet becomes a senior?

Older pets change slowly, and they hide pain well. Signs that are easy to miss at home:

• Drinking and peeing more

• Losing weight even though they still eat

• Slower on stairs, or stiff after a nap

• Bad breath or chewing on one side

• Sleeping more, or pacing at night

• New lumps under the skin

• A cat who stops jumping up to the windowsill

None of these alone means something serious. Together, they help the vet decide what to check.

What does a senior checkup at Petfolk Grant Park include?

The vet does a full exam and compares weight, teeth, heart and joints with last time. Then they may suggest:

1. Blood work to look at the kidneys, liver, thyroid and blood sugar. Across Petfolk from October 2025 to September 2026, senior cats were about twice as likely to get blood work at a wellness visit as younger adult cats (34% vs 18%).

2. A urine test to check the kidneys and look for infection.

3. Blood pressure, mostly for older cats.

4. X-rays if your pet is stiff, coughing or has a new lump.

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. A senior wellness exam starts at $99, and tests are priced on their own.

How often should an older pet see the vet?

Every six months is a good rule for most senior dogs and cats. A lot can change in a year for a pet who is 10 or 12. If your pet has kidney disease, thyroid problems or arthritis, the vet may want to see them more often to adjust medicine. See blood work and lab testing for what those tests show.

Easier days for older joints

Gentle walks still matter. A short, slow loop on the paved paths in Grant Park keeps muscles working without the pounding of a long run. In the hot, humid Atlanta summer, walk older dogs early or late in the day and bring water, since seniors handle heat less well.

At home, rugs on slick floors, a ramp to the couch and a raised food bowl can help. Older cats like a litter box with a low side and a bed in a warm, quiet spot. Ask the vet about pain relief and joint support if your pet is slowing down. Never give human pain pills to a dog or cat, since some are toxic to them.

Teeth and weight in older pets

Dental disease is common in older pets and can hurt more than they show. More than a quarter of the dogs and cats who had a dental procedure at Petfolk from October 2025 to September 2026 were 10 or older. Learn more about dental care in Grant Park.

Fear Free handling matters even more for a stiff or anxious senior. The team uses soft mats, takes breaks and lets your pet set the pace.

When an older pet needs help fast

Older pets can get sick quickly. If your senior pet collapses, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, or vomits again and again, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as MedVet Atlanta on Century Circle NE. If your pet gets worse after a visit and the clinic is closed, go there too.

A short trip for neighbors

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Grant Park is at 1039 Grant St SE Ste A12, Atlanta, GA 30315, inside The Beacon. The lot on site means a short walk for a dog who tires fast. Call (470) 256-0274.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Grant Park, or see all veterinary services in Grant Park.