Pocket VetSenior dog care guide (7+ years)
Dogs are often 'senior' from around age 7 (sooner for large breeds). Most age-related problems are very manageable when caught early — here's how.
Health monitoring
- ✓Twice-yearly vet exams — dogs age faster than us
- ✓Annual senior bloodwork + urinalysis (kidney, liver, thyroid)
- ✓Track weight, appetite, drinking, and toileting changes
- ✓Keep up dental care — a common hidden source of pain
Comfort & mobility
- ✓Joint supplements and vet-guided pain relief for arthritis
- ✓Soft bedding, ramps, and rugs on slippery floors
- ✓Gentle, regular exercise — keep them moving without overdoing it
- ✓Keep them lean; extra weight worsens everything
Daily life
- ✓Senior diets can support weight, joints, and kidneys — ask your vet
- ✓Watch for vision/hearing changes and adapt the home
- ✓Keep routines predictable; cognitive decline is real in old dogs
- ✓More frequent toilet breaks as they age
Noticed something off with your dog?
Describe the symptoms and get an instant, calm triage — home care, vet soon, or emergency.
Check my dog nowSigns that need a vet
- ●Increased thirst/urination (kidney, diabetes, Cushing's)
- ●New lumps, or sudden weakness/collapse
- ●Trouble rising, limping, or reluctance to move
- ●Disorientation, night pacing, or sudden behaviour change
Frequently asked
When is a dog considered senior?
Roughly age 7 for many dogs, but large and giant breeds age sooner (sometimes 5–6) and small breeds later. Ask your vet to start senior screening at the right time for your dog.
Why does my senior dog drink so much water?
Increased thirst in an older dog can signal kidney disease, diabetes, or Cushing's — all common and manageable when caught early. It's worth a vet visit with a urine sample.
Other life stages
Pocket Vet editorial team
Written and maintained by the Pocket Vet editorial team using authoritative veterinary sources. Reviewed June 10, 2026. This guide is informational only and not a substitute for professional veterinary care — see our editorial & safety policy. When in doubt, contact your vet; in a true emergency, go to an emergency clinic immediately.
Sources