Senior Dog Care Checklist by Stage (7–9, 10–12, 13+)

Nobody hands you a schedule for this. One day he takes the stairs a little slower and you think nothing of it, and eighteen months later you're lifting him into the car and you can't remember when that started. That's how it goes for most people — not a decline you can point at, just a series of small accommodations you make without noticing. Knowing which systems change when is what lets you act before something becomes a crisis.

Stage 1 · 7–9 years (early senior) This is where you can buy the most quality of life for the least money.

• Vet visits twice a year, not once. Bloodwork at least annually — kidney and liver values move silently for years before symptoms.
• Weight first, everything else second. Two extra kilos on a 20 kg dog is the equivalent of 15 kg on a person, and it is the single largest modifiable factor in joint disease.
• Dental. Periodontal disease is the most common untreated condition in older dogs and it is linked to heart and kidney changes. A dental under anaesthetic at 8 is far safer than at 12.
• Start measuring. Note weight, how far they walk without stopping, and how long it takes to lie down. You cannot detect a decline you never quantified.

Stage 2 · 10–12 years (senior)

• Mobility aids before injury. Non-slip rugs on hard floors, a ramp to the car, a raised bowl. Slipping on tile is how most older dogs develop a fear of floors, and that fear is harder to fix than the arthritis.
• Hearing and vision checks. Test from behind with a soft sound. Startle responses are how older dogs bite.
• Cognition. Pacing, staring at walls, getting stuck in corners, night restlessness, house soiling in a previously clean dog. This is canine cognitive dysfunction, not "just old age," and it is worth raising with a vet — there are management options.
• Nails monthly. Older dogs wear them down less and long nails change gait.

Stage 3 · 13+ years (geriatric)

• Comfort over intervention. At this point the question shifts from "how do we fix this" to "what is this dog's day actually like."
• Track good days vs bad days. A written log is the only honest way to answer "is it time." Vets use it too.
• Pain is under-treated. Assume arthritis is present. Discuss pain management proactively, not after a crisis.
• Quality-of-life scales exist. The HHHHHMM scale (hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility, more good days than bad) is the standard. It is not a decision-maker, but it makes the conversation concrete.

One line that matters at every stage: ask the vet "what would you do if this were your dog?" It changes the answer you get.

Related reading

• How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain
• Mobility Support for Aging Dogs at Home
• How to Preserve Pet Fur at Home (4 Methods Compared)

Stillglow makes small keepsakes for the fur, whiskers and paw prints people want to keep. See the collection — or just keep reading, the guides here are free either way.

If you'd like to keep a little of them

The practical side of caring for an older pet is mostly comfort and early warning. These are the two things owners tell us they use daily.

Self-Warming Pet Heating Pad — 110V Waterproof $29.99 — Warmth for stiff joints, no electricity Paw & Nose Print Kit $1.99 — Take the print while they're still with you Leather Pet Fur Memory Charm $9.99 — A little of the coat, kept close

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