For many of us, 2025 brought seasons of grief. These are important moments to acknowledge and give ourselves grace for. The old adage that grief comes in waves rings true so please know that if you are grieving the loss of a loved one, it is okay to carry some of that energy into 2026. Euthanasias are extremely difficult decisions, whether you have had the time to prepare for them or whether they happen unexpectedly. I always remind myself that the deep grief I feel is because I loved so much, so I hope that you remind yourself of the same.
For many families, a new puppy or kitten was adopted this past year or during the holiday season. Looking into 2026, let us all make sure that the new additions are up to date on their exams, parasite treatment and prevention, and vaccinations. It is very common for young puppies and kittens to have GI parasites, and we want to ensure they receive proper testing and treatment. Puppies and kittens also need socialization and positive experiences. As they are growing up, there are key periods during their emotional and behavioral development where we can really make a difference for them.
For many others, our pets will be reaching middle age or becoming seniors in 2026. This can look different for small-breed dogs compared to large-breed dogs, as well as for cats, so what are some areas where we can improve the quality of life for your pet in 2026?
Our small-breed dogs can be more prone to dental disease as they age. Inflammation and disease below the gumline can be more detrimental to overall health than many realize. It can result in bone loss, tooth root abscesses, and over time it can impact their heart and kidney health. Small-breed dogs are also more prone to heart disease. When heart murmurs are caught early, we can sooner implement diagnostic staging and determine if and when we need to add in medications for management. Oftentimes, the earlier we can catch those changes, the longer we can postpone the development of congestive heart failure and ultimately, greatly improve quality of life.
Our large breed dogs can be more prone to joint inflammation, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancers. Annual examinations help us determine if they need adjustments in weight and body condition score, if adding pain medication or supplements would be helpful to improve their mobility, and we can address if there are new lumps and bumps or changes to old ones. Again, the earlier we can catch those changes, the earlier we can implement intervention and improve overall quality of life.
Our cats can be a little more tricky because they will hide discomfort and internal changes for a very long time. This is why annual exams, even if vaccines aren’t due, are so crucial. We are looking for subtle changes with these little ones. Do they posture differently in the litter box than they used to? Are they still using it the same or do their urine clumps look a little different? Is their water intake changing? What does their lab work look like? Are there elevations to certain markers that can make them sick? Those subtle changes can be the result of kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes. Catching these changes early helps us know if we need to make a diet change or if we need to institute other types of medical management.
Another subtle change for our cats involves their mobility. Do they still play the way they used to? Can they jump like they used to? Are they hiding more or resting in new places? Are they less or more affectionate?
In 2025, my husband and I noticed that Annie, our beloved indoor-only orange cat, was not playing as much as she used to. We rescued her as a kitten when we lived in Walla Walla. She had sustained a broken leg, and by the time she came to us, the elbow had already fused on its own. While Annie cannot jump well like most cats, it has never slowed down her running and playing until this last year. As Annie has gotten older (she is now 7 years old), we noticed that her zoomies were becoming less fast and intense. She also wasn’t asking to play every night. I re-evaluated her bloodwork, which was all normal, and repeated radiographs, which showed no marked changes from last year’s. What I did notice is that Annie had gained 2 pounds in a year. That is 20% of her body weight! It is easy for even us, as veterinarians, to miss a gradual change like this. We transitioned Annie over to a prescription weight loss food and started using a gram kitchen scale to measure the amount of food she receives. We kept her on all of her supplements and continued her Solensia injections. We also got her new toys that she loves! It took a few months to help her lose the weight, but Annie is now back to a more ideal body condition and plays for 1 to 2 hours every night. She is also back to zooming around the house. Our goal for 2026 is that Annie continues to maintain her current weight so that she can age the best that she can.
We hope that 2026 brings you and your family great tidings. We look forward to helping you and your pets have a healthy and happy new year.
Written by Danielle Carey, DVM
Dr. Carey is a veterinarian at Union Pet Hospital with a special interest in preventive care, senior pet wellness, and helping families navigate every life stage with compassion and clarity.