Senior Pet Care in Kennesaw, GA, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw is a vet in Kennesaw, GA, that cares for senior dogs and cats. Many pets are considered senior from about age 7, and large dogs often earlier. At that stage, a checkup every six months helps catch changes in the kidneys, thyroid, joints and teeth before they cause real trouble.

Getting older is not a disease. But small changes add up faster now, and many of them can be treated or slowed.

Call (770) 404-8937 or book a senior visit online.

What changes should I watch for in my older pet?

Some signs are easy to brush off as "just getting old." Tell the vet if you notice:

• Drinking or peeing more, or accidents in the house

• Weight loss even though your pet eats well

• Stiffness getting up, trouble with stairs or jumping

• Bad breath, dropping food or chewing on one side

• Pacing at night, getting stuck in corners or seeming confused

• A new lump, or a lump that is growing

• Less interest in walks, play or family

Cats are experts at hiding these changes. A cat who sleeps more and stops jumping onto the counter may be sore, not lazy.

What does a senior visit include?

At Petfolk Kennesaw a senior visit starts with a full exam and a talk about how your pet is doing at home. Then the vet may suggest:

1. Blood work and a urine test to check kidneys, liver, blood sugar and thyroid.

2. A blood pressure check, especially for older cats.

3. A dental check, since mouth pain is common and often hidden.

4. A pain and mobility check, watching how your pet walks and sits.

Across Petfolk, senior cats are about twice as likely to get blood work at a wellness visit as younger adult cats: 34% compared with 18% (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). See blood work and lab testing in Kennesaw.

How can I keep my senior pet comfortable at home?

• Put rugs or runners on slick floors so older legs don't slide.

• Use a ramp or step for the couch, bed or car.

• Raise food and water bowls for dogs with neck or back pain.

• Keep litter boxes low-sided and on every floor for older cats.

• Walk shorter and more often. On Kennesaw Mountain, the National Park Service reminds hikers to know which trails may be too hard, and older dogs tire faster in Georgia heat.

Patient handling for anxious older pets

Older pets often have sore joints and less patience. Fear Free handling at Petfolk Kennesaw means the team lets your pet stay in a comfortable position, uses soft mats and takes breaks.

Our dog is a little more older and can be very anxious/skittish around new people, but everyone here was very helpful and patient with her, and made the appointment go very smoothly.

Ashley A., Google review

You also get a private exam room right away, so there is no long wait in a noisy lobby.

Senior visit cost

A wellness exam at Petfolk Kennesaw starts at $99, or is free with a PetfolkCare Plan, which starts at $199 a year. With twice-yearly visits, the plan can make sense for many older pets. Lab tests and medicines are priced on their own. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Quality of life talks

When a pet has a long-term illness, it helps to talk openly about comfort, appetite and good days versus bad days. The vet can help you track this and plan ahead. When the time comes, see pet euthanasia in Kennesaw.

Sudden changes in an older pet

Collapse, trouble breathing, a sudden head tilt with falling over, or a swollen belly in an older dog needs a 24-hour emergency hospital right away, such as VEG at 1290 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

Book a senior checkup

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw is at 1155 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW, Suite 204, Kennesaw, GA 30144. The free lot is close to the door, which helps with older pets. Call (770) 404-8937.

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