Vet Shares Top 3 Tips for Senior Pets, Including the ‘Hardest Rule’
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A veterinarian on TikTok is sparking conversation among pet owners after sharing what he calls his top three rules for caring for senior pets—particularly his final and “hardest” recommendation.
In a recent video, Dr. Hersh (@drhersh.dvm) told viewers that older pets require different care than their younger counterparts.
He then outlined three steps he believes “make the biggest difference” in keeping aging animals comfortable and healthy.
His first rule is to increase veterinary visits to twice yearly. What many owners dismiss as normal aging, he said, can mask treatable medical conditions.
Twice-yearly exams paired with bloodwork can help detect issues such as arthritis, kidney disease and diabetes earlier, when they are most manageable.
“Regular veterinarian visits are crucial for maintaining the health and well-being of your aging pet,” according to Groton Ledyard Veterinary Hospital.
The practice notes that these appointments allow vets to monitor age-related problems and adjust care accordingly.
Home Environment
Dr. Hersh’s second tip focuses on adjusting a pet’s home environment to reduce strain and prevent injury.
He suggests adding ramps, orthopedic bedding, accessible food and water stations, non-slip flooring, and even night lights to make navigation easier for aging animals.
Groton Ledyard Veterinary Hospital similarly advises that “addressing decreased mobility in senior pets often involves implementing lifestyle changes, providing comfortable bedding with easy access, assisting them with ramps or steps for higher surfaces.”
For owners considering practical upgrades, commonly recommended products include:
The Hardest Rule
His third rule, however, drew the strongest reaction. “Prioritize quality of life over quantity,” he said, calling it the hardest guideline for owners to follow.
He encouraged viewers to monitor daily indicators such as appetite, mobility, engagement and whether their pet is experiencing more good days than bad.
When pain medication is no longer effective or a pet has lost interest in life, he said, choosing a peaceful goodbye can be an act of love.
The emotional complexity of aging pets is echoed elsewhere.
Discussing behavioral changes in older dogs, veterinarian Dr. Colleen Guilfoyle told Newsweek in a previous report that “dogs often rely on low-level appeasement and displacement behaviors, like looking away, lip-licking, and making slow movements, to avoid conflict while still coping with stress.”
She described these as signs that pet owners should look out for when seeking to make their elderly pets more comfortable.
Users React
TikTok users flooded the comments section in response to Dr. Hersh’s advice, with one writing, “Love to see this kind of care in the pet community.”
Another shared, “My pug will be 16 on the 10th! We live by the ‘whatever she wants’ rule.”
As pets live longer due to advances in veterinary medicine and nutrition, guidance on navigating their senior years is becoming more prominent.
For many owners, Dr. Hersh’s message was a reminder that extending life is only part of the equation—ensuring comfort and dignity along the way may matter just as much.
Newsweek has reached out to drhersh.dvm for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.
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