Lifetime health & preventative care
Veterinary care for senior dogs
Prepare for proactive checks and an individual monitoring plan.
Look beyond a vaccination visit
Older dogs may benefit from closer observation and more proactive monitoring. Your practice can tailor appointment frequency to health, existing conditions, medicines and changes at home. Do not wait for a planned check if a new symptom develops.
What a review can cover
Discuss weight trends, body and muscle condition, teeth, gait, skin, lumps, appetite, drinking, toileting, sleep and behaviour. A physical examination is central. Blood pressure, blood tests or urine tests may be helpful according to the history and findings; not every dog needs the same tests at every visit.
Bring the right information
Take a list of every medicine and supplement, including products bought elsewhere, plus any recent dose changes. Bring dated weight records and notes about daily comfort. Ask whether the team would like a urine sample and how to collect it; do not assume an old sample will be suitable.
Agree what happens next
Agree what is being monitored, what would change treatment, when to recheck and which signs mean calling sooner. With several conditions, ask the team to coordinate medicines, diet, exercise and appointments; advice for one condition may need adapting for another. Keep every practice informed of the full medicine list.
Do not change treatment or restrict water yourself. Explain cost, transport or caregiving difficulties so the team can discuss priorities and realistic options. Share one current care note with carers, including out-of-hours contacts and the individual plan.
Use the existing private health diary · Working with your vet
Continue your care plan
Senior & Ageing Dogs · Keeping my dog healthy · New symptoms: find the right next step
Evidence and review
General information, not diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Sources include veterinary professional guidance, veterinary charities and relevant regional parasite organisations. Clinical recommendations need individual veterinary interpretation.
About this guidanceReview details and sources
Evidence and review
Reviewed 2 October 2026 · Review sooner if advice, distribution or requirements change.
Evidence and review
Content enhancement reviewed 11 October 2026. General information; individual assessment and treatment remain with your veterinary team. AAHA: evaluating the unhealthy senior pet