Senior Pet Care in North Hills, Raleigh, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is a vet in North Hills, Raleigh, that cares for senior dogs and cats. Most pets count as seniors from about age 7, and giant breed dogs sooner. Older pets usually do best with a checkup every six months and blood work at least once a year.

Senior care is not about waiting for something to go wrong. It is about spotting slow changes in weight, joints, teeth, kidneys and thyroid while there is still time to act.

Call (984) 983-4900 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

When is my dog or cat considered a senior?

At Petfolk North Hills, most dogs and cats move to a senior care plan around age 7. Large and giant breed dogs often age faster and may start earlier. Cats can hide changes for years, so a cat that "seems the same" at 10 still benefits from a closer look.

What does a senior exam check?

A senior visit at Petfolk North Hills covers the full wellness exam plus a closer look at the things that change with age:

1. Weight compared over time, since slow loss can be an early sign of kidney or thyroid disease.

2. Joints, muscle and how your pet gets up, climbs and walks.

3. Teeth and gums, because dental pain is common and often hidden.

4. Heart and lungs, listening for new murmurs or coughs.

5. Eyes, for cloudiness or changes in vision.

6. Lumps and bumps, measured and noted so changes are easy to track.

The vet will also ask about thirst, peeing, appetite, sleep and any new confusion at night.

Why blood work matters more with age

Lab tests show what an exam can't. Across Petfolk, senior cats were about twice as likely to get blood work at a wellness visit as younger adult cats, 34% versus 18% (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). A senior panel usually checks kidney and liver values, blood sugar, red and white cells, and often thyroid in cats. Many of these tests run in the clinic's own lab. See blood work and lab testing in North Hills for details.

They were gentle with my senior cat, and understood my request for the least invasive treatments possible.

Audrey S., Google review

Gentle handling matters even more for stiff joints. Every Petfolk clinic uses Fear Free methods, and the North Hills team can do much of the exam on a padded floor mat instead of a high table.

How much does senior care cost?

A senior wellness exam at Petfolk North Hills starts at $99, the same as any wellness exam. Blood work and other tests are quoted before they are done. PetfolkCare membership starts at $199 a year and includes wellness exams. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Small changes at home that help

Older pets in Raleigh face the same daily world, just with less spring in their step. Simple changes help:

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

• A ramp or step for the couch or car.

• Shorter, more frequent walks, and early or late walks in hot, humid North Carolina summers.

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

• A litter box with a low side for cats with stiff backs.

Write down anything new you notice between visits, such as drinking more or pacing at night, and bring the list.

Planning ahead, kindly

At some point the conversation turns to comfort. The vet at Petfolk North Hills can talk through pain control, quality-of-life checks and, when the time comes, pet euthanasia in North Hills. No decision has to be made at that first talk.

If an older pet suddenly collapses, has trouble breathing or a swollen belly, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital on Paragon Park Road in Raleigh.

Visit with your senior pet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is at 631 E Six Forks Rd, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609, with free parking in the plaza. Call (984) 983-4900 or book online.

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