For most of us, our pets are a special part of our family. This means as they get older, we want them to feel as comfortable as possible. A great way to make sure your old friend is faring okay into their later years is to book them in for an annual health check with their vet. There are two main types of changes that can occur as your furry friend gets older. The first is age-related changes such as hearing loss, changes in vision and just generally getting a little slower.