A checklist beats good intentions. Senior dogs usually do well when a handful of small checks happen on schedule, and they struggle when the same checks are missed for months because life is busy. This guide turns senior dog care into a set of lists you can follow: what to do every day, every month and at every vet visit, with the numbers that make each check meaningful. For how to tell when your dog has reached the stage, see when a dog is senior.
The daily glance
You do not need a formal routine every day, just a habit of noticing. A thirty-second look while you feed and walk your dog can include:
- Did the dog eat with usual interest?
- Is the dog getting up and moving without obvious stiffness?
- Is the dog drinking, and is the bowl emptying at the usual rate?
- Are the stools and urine normal?
- Does the dog seem comfortable, alert and interested?
If something is off, write a quick note with the date. Two or three lines a week are enough to reveal patterns.
The monthly check
Once a month, set aside ten minutes.
| Check | How | Write down |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Use the same scale; subtract your own weight if you hold the dog | kg and date |
| Body condition | Feel the ribs, see the waist; score 1 to 9 with the Dog Body Condition Score tool | Score |
| Coat and skin | Run your hands over the body | Lumps, sore spots |
| Mouth | Lift the lips to look | Smell, red gums, loose teeth |
| Eyes and ears | Look and sniff | Discharge, redness, smell |
| Nails and paws | Look at length and pads | Cracks, long nails |
| Joints | Watch the dog stand and walk | Stiffness, limping |
| Drinking | Measure for three days if changed | mL per day |
Take photographs from above and the side every few months. A series of photos shows weight and posture changes that memory loses.
Weight and body condition
For most dogs, an ideal body condition score is 4 or 5 on the 9-point scale, where the ribs are easy to feel under a thin layer of padding and a waist is visible from above. Each point above the ideal is roughly 10% over ideal weight. A senior dog who creeps up by 0.5 kg a month would gain 6 kg in a year, so a monthly weigh-in is the earliest warning.
Weight loss in a senior dog deserves a vet visit rather than praise. Our guide on dog body condition score explains the scale, and how fast a dog should lose weight sets the pace where loss is advised.
Food
Calorie needs depend on weight, activity and health. As a starting point, a neutered adult uses 1.6 times resting energy and an inactive one 1.4. A 20 kg dog has a resting energy of 662 kcal, so the figures are 1,059 and 927 kcal. The Dog Calorie Calculator gives the numbers for your dog.
- Measure the food by weight, not by cup.
- Count treats within 10% of the daily total.
- Adjust by about 10% when weight moves the wrong way, and recheck in two to four weeks.
- Ask your vet before changing to a different food, especially a prescription one.
- Change foods gradually over about a week.
Some senior dogs need food that is easier to chew or digest, and some have health conditions that call for a specific diet. These are veterinary decisions.
Water
Normal water intake for a dog is around 50 mL per kg of body weight a day, with a range of 40 to 60. For a 20 kg dog that is about 1,000 mL. More than 100 mL per kg, about 2,000 mL for the same dog, is a reason to call the vet. Heat, exercise and dry food all raise intake, so compare like with like. Keep several clean bowls around the home, and consider a raised bowl only if your vet suggests it. Our guide on how much water a dog should drink shows how to measure.
Exercise
Gentle, regular exercise supports weight, joints and mood. For many senior dogs, two or three shorter walks suit better than one long one. Let the dog set the pace, choose softer surfaces where possible and avoid sudden bursts or jumping. Swimming and sniffing walks are low impact if your vet agrees. After exercise, watch for stiffness that lasts into the next day, and tell your vet if it does.
Mind and routine
Old dogs enjoy learning small things. Short sessions of 5 minutes with a few treats, scent games where you hide a few kibbles, and puzzle feeders keep the brain active. Keep a steady daily routine, which helps dogs that are losing sight or hearing. Some older dogs show changes in sleep, house-training or confusion; mention them to your vet, since some causes are manageable.
The home
| Change | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Non-slip rugs or mats | Stops sliding on smooth floors |
| Ramp for car or sofa | Avoids jumping strain |
| Orthopaedic or thick bedding | Comfort for joints |
| Bowls at a comfortable height | Ease of eating and drinking, if advised |
| Night light | Helps dogs with failing sight |
| Warm resting spot | Comfort for stiff joints |
Vet visits
Your vet may suggest about two check-ups a year for seniors and may propose screening tests to catch changes early. Bring your notes: weights, appetite and drinking, changes in behaviour or toileting, and questions. After each visit, write down what the vet said and when to return. Our dog life stages guide explains how the visit rhythm changes through life.
Budgeting
Senior care can cost more. Add a monthly line to your budget, use the Pet Emergency Fund Calculator to set a target and read the terms of any insurance for how long-term conditions are treated. See pet insurance vs a savings fund for a comparison.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for a limp before arranging a visit.
- Letting weight creep up because the dog is “old”.
- Cutting exercise to nothing.
- Giving human painkillers.
- Changing food suddenly.
- Not recording anything.
Questions to ask your vet
- How often should we meet?
- Which screening tests would you suggest?
- What weight and body condition should we aim for?
- What exercise suits my dog now?
- What home changes would you add?
A sample monthly log
Copy the table into a notebook or spreadsheet. One line per month is enough, and over a year it becomes a valuable record for your vet.
| Month | Weight (kg) | Body condition (1–9) | Appetite | Water (mL/day, if measured) | Mobility notes | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ||||||
| February | ||||||
| March | ||||||
| April |
If you measure water, record three-day averages. For a 20 kg dog, a normal figure is about 1,000 mL and anything near 2,000 mL deserves a call. A body condition score outside 4 to 5, or a weight moving more than about 5% in a month, is worth discussing with your vet. Do not worry about every small fluctuation; look at the line over several months.
Managing arthritis-type stiffness at home
Stiffness is common in older dogs, and there is much owners can do to make life easier while their vet advises on treatment. Provide a warm, soft place to rest, since cold makes stiffness worse. Keep floors grippy with mats or runners. Use ramps and steps. Keep the dog lean, because even a small amount of extra weight loads joints. Walk on softer surfaces and avoid long, intense sessions. Warm up with a slow stroll before any longer walk.
Never give your dog human painkillers or supplements without veterinary advice, since many are unsafe for dogs. Instead, describe what you see to your vet and ask what they recommend. They can assess the dog, suggest treatments and tell you what to avoid.
Dental care
Dental disease is very common in older dogs and can cause pain, bad breath and trouble eating. Look at your dog’s mouth monthly and ask your vet about dental checks at each visit. If your vet recommends home care, follow their guidance on products and technique. Chews and treats should be counted in the daily calories; our dog treat calories guide shows how.
When to call the vet between visits
Do not wait for the next appointment if you notice any of the following:
- Not eating for a day, or a sudden loss of interest in food.
- Much more drinking or urination than usual.
- Vomiting or diarrhoea that persists.
- Difficulty breathing, coughing that does not settle or blue or very pale gums.
- Sudden lameness, collapse or inability to stand.
- A new lump that grows, or a sore that does not heal.
- Changes in behaviour, such as confusion, pacing at night or aggression.
- Straining to urinate or pass stools.
These can have causes that are easy to treat or serious, and only a vet can tell. Keep your vet’s number and the out-of-hours number somewhere easy to find.
Keeping the routine going
A checklist only works if it is used. Put the monthly check in your calendar, ideally on the same date as the food order or another regular chore. Keep the diary, scale and tape measure together. Share the job in the household so that more than one person knows the routine. And review the checklist after each vet visit, adding or removing items as the vet advises.
Involving the whole household
A checklist works best when everyone knows their part. Put the monthly tasks on a shared calendar. Agree who weighs, who checks the mouth and paws and who writes notes. Children can help to find hiding places for scent games, if supervised. Remind visitors not to give treats and to avoid jumping games. A routine that the whole family follows gives the dog consistency, and spreads the load. Keep a folder with the dog’s records, the vet’s contact details, the insurance policy and the diary, so that anyone can find what they need in an emergency.
Special points for small and large seniors
Small seniors often need dental attention and weight watching, and may feel the cold. Large seniors often need joint support, non-slip floors and help with the car. Both benefit from regular vet visits. Adapt the checklist to your dog’s size and ask your vet what to emphasise.
Quick summary
- Glance daily, check monthly, visit the vet as often as advised.
- Weigh monthly and score body condition; act on trends.
- Feed to a calorie target, count treats and change foods gradually.
- Watch drinking; around 50 mL per kg a day is typical and above 100 mL per kg needs a call.
- Keep exercise gentle and regular, and make the home easier.
- Use the Dog Body Condition Score tool each month.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a senior dog see the vet?
Your vet may suggest about twice a year for senior dogs, but your vet will set the schedule for your dog.
How much exercise does a senior dog need?
Regular, gentle exercise suits most senior dogs, often shorter and more frequent walks. Ask your vet what is right for your dog.
Should I feed a senior dog less?
Not automatically. Some seniors gain weight and some lose it. Weigh monthly and ask your vet for a target.
How can I tell if my senior dog is in pain?
Clues include stiffness, reluctance to jump, licking a joint, changes in behaviour or sleeping. Tell your vet; do not give human medicines.
What home changes help a senior dog?
Non-slip floors, ramps for the car and steps, orthopaedic bedding, raised bowls if advised and a warm resting place.
Should I measure how much my senior dog drinks?
If drinking seems to have changed, yes. Around 50 mL per kg a day is typical, and above 100 mL per kg is a reason to call your vet.
How do I keep an older dog mentally active?
Short training games, scent games and puzzle feeders, counting any food within the daily calorie allowance.
Sources
- AAHA (2019) Canine Life Stage Guidelines. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 55:267-290
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines (incl. 9-point BCS charts)
- Merck Veterinary Manual — maintenance water about 50 mL/kg/day (range 40 to 60); more than 100 mL/kg/day is polydipsia
Related calculators
- Dog Body Condition Score & Ideal Weight CalculatorScore your dog's body condition on the 9-point scale and estimate its ideal weight.
- Dog Calorie CalculatorSee how many calories your dog needs a day: its resting energy requirement (RER) and daily maintenance energy (MER) for its life stage.
- Dog Water Intake CalculatorEstimate how much water your dog should drink in a day and check whether the amount it drinks is normal.
Keep reading
- When Is a Dog Senior? It Depends on SizeWhen a dog counts as senior: AAHA's last-25%-of-lifespan rule, a table of senior start ages by expected lifespan, early signs to notice and how to adapt care.
- Dog Life Stages: Puppy to Senior (AAHA)The AAHA dog life stages from puppy to senior, how size shifts each boundary, a worked table by expected lifespan and what to adjust in food, check-ups and exercise.
- Dog Body Condition Score Chart (1 to 9)Use the 9-point dog body condition score chart: what each score looks and feels like, how to check ribs, waist and tummy, and how to estimate ideal weight.
- Why Do Big Dogs Age Faster Than Small Dogs?Why large dogs tend to have shorter lives than small ones: what research shows, how dog-year charts add more years for big breeds and what it means for care.