Caring for an older dog: check-ups, comfort and signs to watch
Checked against 3 sources
Most dogs are considered senior from around age seven, though big breeds reach that stage earlier — a Great Dane by about 5–6 — and small breeds later, around 10–12 12. From then on, vets recommend a check-up roughly twice a year rather than once, because health changes can be subtle and are easier to treat early2. At home, what helps most is gentle, regular exercise, a comfortable place to rest, and watching for changes that are worth a call to the vet — not just put down to 'old age'13.
A change in how much he eats or drinks, or in his weight, either way .
- Senior age
- Around 7 for most dogs; big and giant breeds earlier (about 5–6), small breeds later (10–12)12
- Vet check-ups
- About twice a year once senior, rather than the usual single yearly visit2
- Exercise
- Regular and gentle; little and often suits stiff joints better than one long walk3
- Comfort basics
- Soft bedding away from drafts, grippy flooring, and food, water and bed within easy reach1
- Watch for
- Any change in eating, drinking, weight, movement or behaviour — it may be treatable, not just age1
The printable version of this guide is a free PDF. Get it at thapki.app/guides/health/senior-dog-care/
On this page
When is a dog "senior"?
There's no single cut-off; it depends on size. Giant breeds such as Great Danes are considered senior from about 5–6 years old, while small breeds often aren't senior until 10–12 2. RSPCA's general marker for an average dog is around seven1.
Most medium-sized dogs — which includes most Indies and mixed breeds — land somewhere between those two ends, so age seven is a reasonable point to start paying closer attention, even without a breed-specific figure12.
Vet check-ups
- About twice a year, rather than the usual single yearly visit, once your dog reaches the senior stage2.
- Ask about simple wellness checks — weight, blood and urine tests, a general once-over — so problems are caught before they become obvious at home2.
- Your vet decides exactly what tests or monitoring makes sense for your own dog, based on breed, history and what they find at the check-up.
Comfort at home
- Keep exercise regular and gentle — little and often suits stiff joints better than one long walk, with rest stops along the way3.
- A soft, cosy bed away from drafts, in a quiet spot1.
- Rugs or mats on slippery floors such as tile or marble for grip, and a ramp or step if he struggles with the sofa, the bed or the car1.
- Keep food, water and his bed within easy, familiar reach — fewer stairs matters if home is a walk-up1.
- On hot days, walk in the cooler hours and keep routes shorter and flatter; adjust for cold snaps too3.
- Keep his routine predictable — familiar faces, places and times help an older dog settle1.
Signs to watch, and call your vet
Checked against vet sources. Not yet reviewed by a vet.
- A change in how much he eats or drinks, or in his weight, either way13.
- New stiffness, limping, or reluctance to do things he used to manage without trouble13.
- Confusion, disorientation, or a changed sleep pattern1.
- Signs of hearing or vision loss1.
- Changes in behaviour may be a sign of an underlying problem, not just old age — so anything new is worth a call rather than waiting it out1. See when it's a go-now emergency.
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Not fully clear yet
Official sources disagree or leave gaps on these. Confirm before you rely on them.
- VCA's size-based age ranges are given for named breeds (giant breeds from about 5–6, small breeds from 10–12); we found no official source giving a specific senior age for Indies or mixed-breed dogs, so this page uses RSPCA's general 'around seven' as the practical marker for a mixed-breed dog12.
- RSPCA says regular health checks matter for ageing dogs but doesn't state how often; this page uses VCA's twice-a-year figure as a practical default — ask your own vet what's right for your dog12.
Sources and how we check
Facts checked against the official and veterinary sources below by Thapki. Not yet reviewed by a vet. Written with AI help from the sources below, then checked line by line; the Thapki team reads and approves every page before it goes live. How we check