Caring for a senior dog: a practical checklist

"Senior" arrives earlier in large breeds — around six for a Great Dane, closer to nine for a small terrier. The transition is gradual, which is exactly why it gets missed. Owners often describe a dog who is "just slowing down" when what's happening is treatable pain.

Twice-yearly check-ups

Annual becomes six-monthly after seven. A great deal changes in a senior year, and the point of screening is to find things while they are still cheap and manageable.

A useful senior panel covers blood count and biochemistry, kidney and liver values, thyroid, urine analysis, blood pressure, and a dental assessment.

Arthritis is the thing most often missed

Dogs don't limp dramatically; they adapt. Watch for hesitation before stairs, difficulty rising after a nap, reluctance to jump into the car, sleeping more, or new irritability when touched over the hips.

Arthritis responds well to a combination of weight control, joint supplementation, controlled daily exercise, and — when a vet thinks it's warranted — pain relief. Never give human painkillers. Ibuprofen and paracetamol cause serious harm to dogs and cats.

Adjusting the house

• Non-slip mats or runners on smooth floors. Slipping is both an injury risk and a confidence drain.
• A ramp or step for the sofa, bed or car.
• An orthopaedic bed away from draughts.
• Raised food and water bowls for dogs with neck or shoulder pain.

Cognitive change

Night-time pacing, staring at walls, getting stuck in corners, forgetting house training, or a changed sleep-wake cycle can signal canine cognitive dysfunction. It is manageable — there are diets, supplements and medication that help — and it is worth raising rather than accepting as "old age".

Diet

Senior dogs usually need fewer calories and good-quality, digestible protein — not less protein, which is a persistent myth. Keeping a senior lean is the single most effective thing you can do for their joints and their lifespan.

The conversation worth having early

Talk to your vet about what quality of life looks like for your dog, before you're making the decision in a crisis. Having that conversation when nothing is urgent is a kindness to yourself as much as to them.