Senior Dog Care Checklist: What Changes and What to Track

Most dogs are considered senior somewhere around age 7, though it varies by size — large breeds tend to enter their senior years earlier than small ones. The care itself doesn't change overnight, but a few things are worth adjusting, and tracking becomes more valuable than it was when they were younger.

How often to see the vet

Many vets recommend moving from annual to twice-yearly wellness exams once a dog reaches their senior years. The reasoning: age-related conditions like kidney disease, arthritis, and some cancers progress faster than a once-a-year check can catch early, and catching them early is usually what makes treatment more effective and less expensive.

What to track between visits

• Weight — both gain and loss can signal a problem; a scale trend over months tells your vet more than one number at one visit.
• Appetite and water intake — sudden changes in either direction are worth mentioning, not just dismissing.
• Mobility — stiffness getting up, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, slower walks.
• Mood and sleep — increased confusion, restlessness at night, or general withdrawal can point to cognitive changes worth discussing.
• Lumps or bumps — note when you first notice something new, and whether it changes size over a few weeks.

Common senior conditions worth watching for

• Arthritis and joint pain
• Dental disease (often underestimated as a source of chronic discomfort)
• Kidney and liver function changes
• Vision and hearing decline
• Cognitive decline ("doggy dementia")

Why trend data matters more than any single visit

A vet seeing your dog for 20 minutes twice a year is working with a snapshot. What actually helps them catch problems early is a trend — a slow three-pound weight loss over six months, or mobility that's gradually worsened since last spring — and that kind of pattern is nearly impossible to notice, or to prove, without something written down along the way.