Last Updated: 17/06/2026
How to Care for a Senior Dog: A Vet's Guide
Do you own a senior dog? Check out our guide on the best senior nutrition health and comfort tips from our vet team.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read
With advances in veterinary care, our dogs are living longer than ever before. That's wonderful news - but it also means more years where the right care really matters. The good news is that by understanding what changes as your dog ages, and taking a few targeted steps to address them, you can keep those tails wagging well into the autumn years and beyond.
How do I know if my dog is a senior?
Most dogs are considered senior from around 7 to 12 years of age, depending on their size - larger breeds age faster than smaller ones.
While exact age ranges vary by breed and size, most recent guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association suggest dogs be classed as 'mature' when they reach about 50% and 'senior' for the last 25% of their expected lifespan. The table below gives a rough guide.
Small breed (<10kg)
- Adult: 10-12 months
- Mature: 8 years +
- Senior: 12 years +
Medium breed (10-25kg)
- Adult: 12-14 months
- Mature: 7 years +
- Senior: 10 years +
Large breed (>25kg)
- Adult: 15-24 months
- Mature: 5 years +
- Senior: 8 years +
Knowing your dog's lifestage matters because their nutritional, health monitoring, and lifestyle needs all shift as they move through these stages. Most of the guidance in this article applies from the 'mature' phase onwards - don't wait until the senior stage to start making adjustments.
What should I feed my senior dog?
Senior dogs do best on a diet that's high in quality protein, lower in calories, and enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to support muscle maintenance, joint health, and brain function.
As dogs age, their metabolism slows and their muscle mass naturally decreases. Many older dogs also become more selective eaters. A diet formulated specifically for senior dogs addresses all of these changes.
Key things to look for in a senior diet:
- High-quality, easily digestible protein to help maintain lean muscle
- Controlled calories and fat to prevent weight gain as activity levels drop
- Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) for joint, brain, skin, and kidney support
- Antioxidants (vitamins E and C, selenium, carotenoids) to help protect cells from age-related damage
- Enhanced botanical oils (medium-chain triglycerides) - a newer addition to some senior foods that provides the brain with an alternative energy source, helping to support cognitive function
Adding wet food to your senior dog's diet can also help tempt fussy eaters and increase water intake, which is beneficial for kidney and urinary health.
For our full breakdown of the best senior dog foods on the Australian market, including vet picks for brain health, joint support, and breed-size specific options, see our guide: Best Senior Dog Food: Vet Picks.
How can I support my senior dog's joints?
You can support a senior dog's joints through a joint-supportive diet, targeted omega-3 and glucosamine supplements, regular low-impact exercise, and home modifications like orthopaedic bedding and ramps.
Joint problems are one of the most common issues affecting older dogs - research shows that 2 in 3 dogs over the age of 7 have some degree of degenerative joint disease. Many dogs are stoic about pain, so it's easy to miss the early signs.
Signs your dog's joints may be bothering them:
- Slower to get up from rest
- Reluctance to use stairs or jump into the car
- Stiffness after exercise
- A subtle change in gait or posture
The good news is there is a lot you can do. Diet, joint supplements, appropriate exercise, and environmental modifications can all make a real difference - and starting early (even before symptoms appear in large or giant breed dogs) is worthwhile.
For a detailed look at causes, diagnosis, medications, and the best foods and supplements for joint support, read our full article: Arthritis in Dogs: Signs and Joint Care.
For our vet team's recommendations on joint supplements specifically, including product-by-product reviews: Best Joint Supplements for Dogs.
Could my dog have dementia?
Yes, dogs can develop dementia - known as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) - and it affects an estimated 28% of dogs by 11-12 years of age, rising to 68% by 15-16 years.
Cognitive decline is more common in older dogs than most people realise. Studies suggest around 28% of dogs will show signs of cognitive dysfunction by 11-12 years of age, and 68% by 15-16 years. Just like in humans, age-related changes in the brain - including reduced blood flow, oxidative damage, and a build-up of toxic proteins - can affect memory, awareness, and behaviour.
Signs of cognitive decline in dogs:
- Seeming lost or disoriented in familiar places
- Changes in sleep patterns - sleeping more during the day, restless at night
- House soiling despite previously reliable toilet training
- Reduced interest in playing or interacting
- Increased vocalisation or anxiety
- Staring into corners or at walls
It's important to have your vet check these symptoms rather than assuming they're just "old age" - conditions like thyroid disease, high blood pressure, dental pain, and arthritis can all cause similar behavioural changes and are treatable.
For a full guide to diagnosis, environmental management, brain-boosting enrichment, and the diets and supplements that can help: Dog Dementia: Signs, Causes, and How to Help.
What if my dog is losing their hearing or vision?
Hearing and vision loss are common in older dogs - age-related hearing loss is irreversible but dogs adapt well, while some causes of vision loss (such as cataracts and glaucoma) can be treated if caught early.
Sensory changes are a normal part of ageing in dogs, though they can also occur at any age due to underlying health conditions. Age-related hearing loss is caused by gradual degeneration of the nerves in the inner ear and is unfortunately irreversible - but dogs adapt remarkably well, particularly when their environment is kept consistent and predictable.
Vision loss can have several causes - cataracts and glaucoma among them - and some causes are treatable if caught early, so a vet check is always worthwhile when you notice changes.
Key signs to watch for:
- Startling easily when approached from behind (hearing loss)
- Bumping into furniture, especially in low light (vision loss)
- Increased anxiety
- Reluctance to navigate stairs or new environments
For detailed advice on home modifications, enrichment strategies, and anxiety aids for dogs with sensory loss: Caring for a Dog with Vision or Hearing Loss.
How do I keep my senior dog comfortable at home?
The most impactful changes for a senior dog's comfort are an orthopaedic bed on a non-slip surface, extra warmth in cooler weather, easy access to water around the home, and ramps or steps to replace jumping.
A few thoughtful changes around the home can make a significant difference to how your senior dog feels day to day.
A supportive bed While not all dogs develop arthritis, joint stiffness is common in older dogs. A dense, orthopaedic or memory foam mattress bed helps to support the joints and minimise stiffness on waking. Position it on carpet or a non-slip surface to make getting up easier, and avoid placing it in areas with heavy foot traffic so your dog has a proper retreat.
Keep them warm Senior dogs feel the cold more acutely, and the cold can aggravate existing joint pain. A well-fitted coat or jacket for winter walks - and a warm bed indoors - keeps them comfortable.
Water access Dogs with reduced mobility may not make it to their water bowl as often as they should, which can impact hydration and affect the health of the kidneys and urinary tract. Placing multiple bowls around the home, or using a pet water fountain, encourages better hydration. This is especially important for dogs already prone to kidney or urinary issues.
Ramps and steps If your dog has always slept on the bed or sofa, they shouldn't have to give that up just because jumping has become uncomfortable. A small ramp or set of pet stairs lets them continue to access their favourite spots safely.
For help on which product would be best, learn How to Choose between Ramps vs Stairs for Your Dog.
How often should my senior dog see the vet?
Senior dogs should have a vet check-up every 6 months rather than annually, with blood and urine screening at least once a year to catch early signs of kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid conditions.
Once your dog reaches the mature or senior phase of life, 6-monthly vet check-ups are recommended rather than the standard annual visit. Because dogs age faster than we do, a lot can change between appointments - and catching problems early makes them far easier to manage.
At a minimum, these check-ups should include:
- A physical examination with particular attention to joints, weight, and dental health
- Blood and urine screening at least once a year - this gives your vet a baseline to monitor over time, and can detect early signs of kidney dysfunction, liver changes, diabetes, and thyroid disease before symptoms appear
- A check-in on any behavioural changes that may indicate pain or cognitive decline
Dental disease and obesity are two of the most common and most impactful conditions in older dogs - both are easy to miss at home and easy to manage when caught early. Your vet can also advise on whether a prescription or therapeutic diet would benefit your dog as their health needs evolve.
If you have any specific health concerns about your dog, always seek veterinary attention sooner rather than later. The earlier a problem is identified, the more options you have.
Recommended products for senior dogs
With a few targeted adjustments to diet, exercise, comfort, and health monitoring, your senior dog can continue to live a full, comfortable, and happy life. They've given you their best years - returning the favour is one of the most rewarding things you'll do as a pet owner.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 18 Jun 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
