Senior Pet Care in Missouri City, TX, From Your Local Vet

Senior pet care at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Missouri City is a checkup plan for dogs and cats from about age 7. The vet looks for the changes that come with age, such as kidney disease, arthritis, dental pain and thyroid problems, and treats them early, when they are easier to manage.

Pets age faster than we do, so a year between visits is a long time for a 10-year-old dog. Most seniors do better with a checkup every 6 months. If you want a vet in Missouri City who takes the time to go slow with an older pet, start here.

Call (832) 225-3315 or book online. The clinic is open weekends.

When is my pet a senior?

Most vets start senior care around age 7. Giant-breed dogs age sooner, and many cats stay spry into their teens. At our Houston-area clinics, about 4 in 10 dogs we saw were 7 or older, compared with about 1 in 4 cats, between Oct 1, 2025 and Sep 30, 2026.

Age is only part of it. Watch for the small things: slower on the stairs, sleeping more, drinking more water, accidents in the house, or a cat who no longer jumps on the counter.

Senior visits cover behavior too. Pacing at night, staring at walls or getting stuck in corners can be signs of cognitive dysfunction, a dog and cat form of dementia. Medicine and routine changes can help, so mention it even if it seems odd.

What does a senior checkup include?

• A full exam, with extra time on the heart, joints, eyes and mouth

• Weight trend. Slow weight loss in an old cat is often the first sign of kidney or thyroid disease.

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

• A pain check. Many older dogs limp less than they hurt.

• A medicine review, including supplements, and a look at how they're working

The lab results from this year become the baseline for next year, so small changes stand out. Bring a list of every medicine and supplement, with the dose, so the vet can check for overlap.

The appointment process was nice and stress free.

Taila W., Google review

That reviewer booked a vaccine visit for an 8-year-old Shar Pei with vet nerves. Fear Free handling matters even more for seniors, whose joints are stiff and whose patience is short. The team can examine an older pet on a mat on the floor and skip the slippery table.

How can I help my older pet at home?

• Put rugs or yoga mats on slick floors so hips don't slide.

• Raise food and water bowls for dogs with sore necks.

• Keep walks shorter and earlier in the day. Missouri City summers are hard on old hearts and lungs.

• Brush teeth if your pet will allow it. Dental care matters at every age.

• Plan for storms. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and Fort Bend County's kit list includes an emergency medicine supply. Keep extra daily medicine on hand before a storm is named.

Is my old pet too old for surgery or a dental cleaning?

Age by itself isn't a disease. The vet looks at your pet's heart, lab results and overall health, not just the birthday. Many 12- and 14-year-old pets come through a dental cleaning or a lump removal well. The team will explain the risks so you can decide.

Senior visit costs

A wellness exam at Petfolk Missouri City starts at $99. Lab work and other tests are added only after you agree. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. PetfolkCare membership starts at $199 a year.

Signs that can't wait

Collapse, trouble breathing, a swollen belly or sudden weakness in the back legs needs a 24-hour emergency hospital such as VEG on University Blvd in Sugar Land. For a senior who stops eating or seems suddenly off, book a sick pet visit the same day.

Visit the clinic

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Missouri City is at 8225 Hwy 6, Suite 300, Missouri City, TX 77459, with parking close to the door, which helps with a dog who can't walk far.

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