What changes with age
A dog ages gradually: it sleeps longer, gets up more slowly, shows less interest in play, and its hearing and sight may fade. Some of this is natural, but some changes, such as more thirst, a change in weight or a stiff walk, can be signs of illness worth showing your vet.
The earlier you notice a change, the more can be done. Once a month, run your hands over your dog from head to tail, weigh it and note how much it drinks and how it walks: it makes comparing easier.
Exercise and mind
Exercise still matters to an older dog, but shorter, more frequent walks on level ground are better than one long hike. Swimming and calm walking are kinder to the joints than jumping and sharp turns.
Sniffing games, hidden treats, food puzzles and short training sessions keep the mind busy. A dog with something to do every day stays bright for longer.
A comfortable home
A soft, thick bed in a warm, draught-free spot eases sore joints. Put rugs down on slippery floors so the dog does not slide when getting up, and a ramp or steps by the car or the sofa, if it is allowed on it.
Place the bowls where the dog can reach them easily, and raise them a little if bending down is hard. For a dog whose sight is failing, avoid moving furniture and keep things in their usual places.
Vet visits and grooming
Health checks matter more for an older dog, and your vet may suggest them more than once a year, with blood and urine tests. Tell the vet about every change you have noticed, however small.
Keep brushing the teeth and trimming the nails, which wear down more slowly on a dog that walks less, and check the skin while brushing the coat: you will spot new lumps or sores sooner.
Food by age
Older dogs move less, so they may need less energy, while good-quality, easily digested food matters as much as ever. Food for older dogs is marked "senior" on the pack; when to switch depends on the dog's size and health.
Watch the weight: both gaining and losing too much is bad for an older dog. If the dog has an illness, such as kidney or heart disease, what to feed should come from your vet.
When a dog counts as senior
- Small (under 10 kg) from 10 years
- Medium (10–25 kg) from 9 years
- Large (25–45 kg) from 8 years
- Giant (45 kg and over) from 6 years
Approximate thresholds by size: large dogs age sooner than small ones. For the age in human years, see the dog age calculator.
Changes worth noticing
These changes can creep in so slowly that they are easy to put down to old age. If you notice any of them, it is worth talking to your vet, and each sign's page explains what it can mean.
- Drinks and urinates more than before, asks to go out at night. Dog drinking and urinating more
- Loses weight while eating as before. Dog losing weight
- Puts on weight although the amount of food has not changed. Dog gaining weight
- Walks stiffly in the morning or after a rest, takes longer to get going. Dog walking stiffly
- Struggles to get up, avoids stairs or jumping into the car. Dog struggling to get up
- Has bad breath, eats more carefully or chews on one side. Dog with bad breath
- The eyes turn cloudy, the dog bumps into things in dim light. Dog cloudy eyes
- No longer hears you call, startles when approached from behind. Dog hearing less
- Seems confused, gets stuck in corners, sleeps and wakes at odd times. Dog seeming confused or dazed
- A new lump appears under the skin, or an old one starts to grow. Dog with a lump under the skin
When to see a vet urgently
See a vet straight away if your dog suddenly cannot stand or walk, collapses, struggles to breathe, has a swollen belly, vomits repeatedly, has a seizure, has stopped urinating or suddenly cannot see.