Senior and ageing care
Senior dog care at home
Good senior care is about supporting everyday comfort while noticing changes that deserve veterinary attention.
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Not sure
You do not need to decide whether a change is 'normal ageing' before using the guide. Start with what is different from your dog's usual baseline.
Four everyday priorities
Make movement easier without removing normal activity
Older dogs may take longer to rise, turn or recover after activity. Non-slip surfaces, shorter or better-paced walks, comfortable bedding and easier access to important areas can help preserve confidence and independence.
What to consider
Adjust the environment and activity around comfort, but have persistent stiffness, limping or reluctance to move assessed rather than assuming it is inevitable.
Track weight, muscle and appetite
Senior dogs can gain fat, lose muscle or lose overall weight. These changes can be gradual, so regular body-weight and body-condition tracking can reveal trends that are easy to miss day to day.
What to consider
Persistent weight loss, appetite change, difficulty eating or a major change in body condition deserves veterinary discussion.
Notice drinking and toileting changes
More thirst, more frequent urination, new accidents or difficulty getting outside can have several causes. Environmental support may help access, but a persistent physiological change still needs assessment.
What to consider
Track water use, urinary frequency, stool changes and whether the dog is straining or uncomfortable.
Treat behaviour and sleep changes as information
Night waking, pacing, vocalising, withdrawal or apparent confusion can reflect pain, sensory change, medical disease, anxiety or cognitive dysfunction.
What to consider
Record when changes occur and whether they overlap with movement, appetite, toileting or other health changes.