The Best Pet Products for Senior Pets According to Reviews

Having the right care items for your pet is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. But while much emphasis is placed on stocking up for puppies and kittens, there often is a lack of discussion surrounding gear for older and senior pets. The truth is that aging animals come with their own sets of unique needs, and their golden years can bring various new challenges. Changing out the pet care products we have on hand can make life easier and more rewarding.

Whether you currently have a senior pet in the home or are simply curious about how to keep life going smoothly as your pal levels up in years, we’ve done the research and put together this list of items with older pets in mind.

How pet needs change with age

Our furry friends need a lot of care and attention. From ensuring their basic comfort to promoting health and daily exercise, pets require time, energy, and thoughtfully selected gear. This is true for animals of every age, but their needs can change dramatically as they grow into senior dogs and cats.

For example, our focus as pet owners shifts over time from things like early puppy training and kitten-proofing the household to maintaining our pets’ everyday routine. Eventually, we may place more priority on keeping older dogs and cats comfortable while still practicing everyday healthy habits.

When are dogs and cats considered senior pets?

Life expectancies vary between species and breeds, meaning the designation of an “elderly” pet isn’t one size fits all. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats are typically considered seniors once they reach 10 years of age.

Dogs meanwhile have greater variation in seniority status due to the wider variety between different breeds and sizes. Generally speaking, small dog breeds become seniors between 8 and 11 years, medium-sized breeds between 8 and 10 years, and large breeds fall between 8 and 9 years. For the more rarely-seen giant dog breeds (those that weight over 100 lbs. or 45.35 kg), the onset of seniordom can start as early as ages 6 to 8.

8 great products for aging pets

Looking to make life easier for you and your aging pet? Check out these products for older cats and dogs that pet parents have given rave reviews. These are listed in no particular order.

Wondering if you can trust this list? Trupanion does not receive compensation for any external products mentioned in this article. These products were selected based on reviews and descriptions alone. External links are for informative purposes only and do not reflect any current partnerships or campaigns.

1. Orthopedic pet bed

Think orthopedic design is just for human furniture? Think again. The right bed for a senior pet provides supportive and comfortable bedding to alleviate joint pain and arthritis. Look for memory foam or orthopedic beds specifically rated for older pets, and talk to your veterinarian for recommendations (especially if your pet has been diagnosed with a painful condition or one that affects their mobility).

According to its stellar ratings on Amazon and iHeartDogs, one of the best choices here is the BedSure Orthopedic Dog Bed. It has one open side for easy entry, a waterproof lining, washable cover, and even a no-skid bottom. Despite the name, it is also appropriate for cats and comes in a range of sizes to suit large and small pet breeds.

2. Heated bed (or pad)

While you’re looking at orthopedic options, you may also want to consider a heated pet bed. The warmth of a heated bed can be particularly beneficial for pets with arthritis or circulation issues. A great option for older pets is the K&HSelf-Warming Pet Pad, rated above 4 stars on Amazon and Chewy with over 5,000 reviews (as of publication of this article). It's flat, so dogs and cats have easy entry, and it'll never reach unsafe temperatures. Plus, it comes in a range of sizes.

You may also want to consider heating pads as an easy alternative. Depending on their size and design, these can be used by themselves as a casual lay-down spot or added to your pet’s bed for extra comfort.

Precautions

Just be sure to take caution to prevent your pet from overheating. This is why it’s a good idea to only go with well-reviewed, highly-rated options — the best heated pet beds don’t reach unsafe temperatures for dogs and cats.

With this in mind, it’s a good idea to consult with your pet’s veterinarian before buying any heated bed or pad, especially if your pet has any current or chronic health conditions. Likewise, if your dog or cat has a history of chewing through cords or other electronics, it’s a good idea to forgo a heating device altogether and just stick to regular blankets for extra warmth.

3. Portable dog ramp

Older dogs still deserve to go on adventures too! Pet stairs and ramps in general are already a good idea around the home to help your aging pet navigate their turf without putting stress on their joints, but a foldable, portable ramp can help keep their world even more open. Keep one of these in your car to help your dog go in and out with ease. And if you’re used to bringing your pup along on visits to friends and family, a good portable dog ramp can also help your pet up any otherwise prohibitive stairs.

Naturally, you’ll want a sturdy ramp that’ll support your dog through repeated use. A common issue here is that even the sturdiest, highly-rated ramps often have numerous consumer complaints that they are too heavy and difficult to put into place. However, one very highly-rated option — the WeatherTech Easy Ramp — is designed to be both lightweight, sturdy, and easy for both you and your pet to use. Its unique setup allows it to be used for both tall and short vehicles, as well as stairs and indoor furniture. The ramp is rated for up to 300 lbs. (136 kg) and conveniently weighs less than 21 lbs. (9.5 kg).

4. Elevated feeding station

Leaning down to eat or drink can put unnecessary strain on your pet’s back and joints. Fortunately, you can remedy this with a raised up feeding station. Elevated bowls can make mealtime more comfortable for older pets by reducing strain on their neck and back. They can also help reduce choking risk by creating a clearer pathway from mouth to stomach.

You’ve got a lot of options here, and you don’t need to go all high-tech to get the best results. For older pets, look for something sturdy, easily cleanable, and without high sides. For example, the OurPets Comfort Elevated Dog & Cat Bowl hits all the marks and is one of the top-rated elevated feeding stations on Chewy. It’s also got an impressive 4.6 stars on Amazon (after over 11,000 ratings!) and comes in three different sizes.

5. Gentle grooming tools

All pets need basic grooming and hygiene care. But as our dogs and cats get older, their own self-grooming habits may wane. Their skin and coats may likewise be negatively affected by certain health conditions. However, you can help them by keeping up with regular grooming at home. Because more abrasive tools may cause discomfort to sensitive aging pets, opt for soft-bristled brushes and other gentle grooming tools.

One of the best options here is a pet hair remover glove, which many pet owners praise as being massage-like for their pet while effectively removing old fur. There are a lot of great choices here with the same general design, and there’s no need to go extravagant or expensive to get great results. Look for ones like the Delomo pet grooming glove, which has awesome ratings even after 70,000+ reviews on Amazon.

6. Pet insurance

The best time to sign up for pet health insurance is while your pal is still young, since pre-existing conditions are not covered. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s not worth looking into for older pets. Medical insurance can still cover future health conditions as well as accidents and injuries. Senior pets often still have years left to enjoy, after all — pet insurance prevents surprise veterinary bills from interfering with that.

Unlike some providers that don’t allow pets to enroll past age 10, Trupanion (yes, that’s us) enrolls new pets up to 14 years of age and covers all new (not previously diagnosed or symptomatic) and unexpected (not preventable) health conditions. Trupanion also has above four stars on Trustpilot and over 8,000 reviews (as of publication).

One reviewer with multiple senior pets gave Trupanion five stars and said, “Joey was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma a year before he died, Trupanion made it possible for him to have his surgery that would have ruined our budget otherwise. Brinio is still with us at 14.5 years old, healthy and happy because he gets all the vet care he needs. I will NEVER own another pet without getting health insurance through Trupanion!”

7. Joint supplements

Joint issues are common in older dogs and cats, so it’s only natural to want to do whatever you can to make them more comfortable. The supplements most likely to help your pet will depend on their specific health conditions and lifestyle. And in addition to veterinary recommendations, your choice will also come down to preferences regarding chewable or powder and scent / flavor. That said, common ingredients in top-rated joint supplements for dogs and cats include glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Chondroitin Sulfate, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Precautions

There is some debate over the efficacy of dietary supplements for dogs and cats, but the good news is that studies have shown them to be safe. According to DVM360, supplements may be unhelpful for end-stage osteoarthritis in pets but may be beneficial to conditions in earlier stages. Nevertheless, you should never give your pet any supplement without first getting approval from their veterinarian. Likewise, never give pets any human-grade supplements — these can contain ingredients and potencies harmful to dogs and cats.

8. Pet lift harness

Older dogs and cats suffering from painful conditions like hip dysplasia or arthritis may have difficulty getting up when needed or jumping up onto furniture they once enjoyed. While you’ll definitely want to discuss their mobility challenges with your veterinarian first (there may be treatments available that can help), a lift harness or sling carrier enables you to provide a little extra help when needed. It also helps prevent injury that may otherwise occur if you just use your hands to help lift them or have them keep trying on their own.

For example, check out the LOOBANI Portable Dog Sling (also available in small sizes for cats). The sling provides support for back legs and comes lined in thick, fuzzy cushion or mesh for comfort. It also has an impressive 4.5 stars on Amazon after over 12,000 ratings. And, as a bonus, it’s one of the more affordable options out there.

As one five-star review states, “This truly made my dogs life better. My senior shepherd mix started to have trouble with her hind legs and within days, couldn't stand up on her own… I'm glad I came across this one.”

Make your pet’s golden years their best years

Watching our beloved dogs and cats — our furry family members — getting older isn’t easy. But by being dedicated to their everyday care, keeping up with regular veterinary appointments, and still spending as much time with them as possible, we can still make plenty of happy memories with them.

Learn how often your pet should see a vet to stay on top of your pal’s care.