At what age is a dog considered senior?

VCA ties it to lifespan: roughly the last quarter of a breed's expected years. Giant breeds may be senior around six or seven; small breeds often not until ten or later.

How often should a senior dog see the vet?

Every six months per VCA, with weight checks about every two months. Bloodwork and urine testing are commonly added as a yearly baseline.

Is my old dog just slowing down, or in pain?

Stiffness after rest, avoiding stairs and shorter walks are often signs of treatable joint pain rather than plain age. Book an exam and describe what changed and when.

What should I track for my senior dog?

Weight, medications, lab results, mobility and appetite notes, and any lumps. A pet health app like PetVitale keeps these per dog with reminders for refills and visits.

Senior dog care

Senior dog care: what changes, and when

Dogs become senior at different ages depending on size, and the care routine changes with it: exams move to twice a year, weight is tracked more closely, and small changes in mobility, thirst or behaviour get investigated instead of attributed to age. This guide covers what VCA and the AVMA recommend and how to track it.

By the PetVitale editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-10-19 · Sources listed below

The short answer

VCA describes a dog as senior in roughly the last quarter of its expected lifespan, so large breeds reach it earlier than small ones.
Senior dogs benefit from a wellness exam every six months and a weight check about every two months (VCA).
Stiffness, drinking more, confusion at night and new lumps are common senior findings worth a visit, not just signs of age.

When is a dog senior?

VCA frames senior status as the last 25 percent or so of a breed's expected lifespan rather than a fixed birthday. In practice that means a giant breed may be senior at six or seven while a small dog may not be until ten or later. The pet age calculator on this site uses size bands for the same reason.

How the care routine changes

Care item	Adult dog	Senior dog
Wellness exam	Yearly	Every 6 months (VCA)
Weight check	At visits	About every 2 months (VCA), plus at home
Bloodwork and urine	As recommended	Often yearly or at each exam, as a baseline
Dental	Check at exam	Check at each exam; disease is more common
Mobility	Note changes	Track stairs, rising, walks; discuss pain management

Guidance summarized from VCA and the AVMA. Your veterinarian sets the plan for your dog.

Changes that are not just age

Drinking or urinating more, or accidents in the house.
Weight loss without a diet change, or gain despite less food.
Stiffness after rest, reluctance on stairs, or slowing on walks, which often respond to treatment.
Night-time pacing, confusion or new anxiety.
Bad breath or dropping food, which usually points to dental disease.
New or growing lumps; the AVMA advises having lumps checked rather than watched.

None of these are diagnoses. They are reasons to book an exam and bring your log.

Home adjustments that help

Non-slip rugs on hard floors and a ramp or steps for the car and sofa.
Shorter, more frequent walks instead of one long one.
A raised bowl if the neck or shoulders are stiff, and an orthopaedic bed.
Keep a monthly weight and a short mobility note; two months of entries say more than one visit can.

What to track for a senior dog

Weight every one to two months, at home and at the clinic.
Medications and supplements with doses and refill dates.
Lab results, so this year's can be compared with last year's.
Mobility, appetite, thirst and sleep notes, even brief ones.
Every lump: location, size and the date you first noticed it.

Questions pet parents ask

Sources

Senior dog care — VCA Animal Hospitals
Senior pets — American Veterinary Medical Association
Pet dental care — American Veterinary Medical Association

Pet age calculatorSenior threshold by size.Medication schedule tool Dog dental care Vet visit cost

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Prices are published estimates that vary by clinic, region and your pet's needs — ask your veterinarian for a written estimate. PetVitale organizes your pet's records and reminders; it does not replace your vet.