Do senior dogs need special food?

Many do. Senior dog foods are typically lower in calories (to account for reduced activity), higher in protein to maintain muscle mass, and often include added joint supplements like glucosamine. Dogs with specific conditions — kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease — may need prescription diets. Ask your vet before switching, especially if your dog has any diagnosed conditions.

How much exercise does a senior dog need?

Most senior dogs still need daily exercise — but shorter, slower sessions. Multiple 15–20 minute walks often work better than one long walk. Swimming is excellent for dogs with arthritis because it builds muscle without joint impact. Watch for signs of overexertion: heavy panting, reluctance to continue, or stiffness the next day.

What are signs of cognitive decline in dogs?

Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD, the dog equivalent of dementia) shows up as disorientation in familiar spaces, changes in sleep-wake cycles, loss of house-training, staring at walls, failing to recognize family members, or getting "stuck" in corners. It is common in dogs over 11. Speak to your vet early — there are management strategies and medications that can help.

How do I know when my senior dog is suffering?

Quality-of-life assessments look at whether a dog still has more good days than bad, whether they can eat and drink without significant pain, whether they show interest in their surroundings, and whether pain is manageable. The HHHHHMM scale (Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, More good days) is a commonly used framework vets can walk you through.

Senior Dog Care Guide

Updated June 18, 2026

When a dog becomes senior — somewhere between age 5 and 12 depending on size — the goal of their care shifts from development to maintenance and early detection. Most of what changes is about catching problems earlier and adjusting daily life to what their body now needs. Here is what that looks like in practice.

Not sure if your dog is senior yet? When is my dog a senior? covers the size-based age thresholds.

Veterinary care

The single most impactful change: move from annual to twice-yearly vet visits. Add a blood panel (kidney function, liver, thyroid, glucose) and urinalysis at least once a year. Senior dogs are at significantly higher risk for kidney disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and certain cancers — and all of these are far more manageable when caught before symptoms appear. Dental cleanings also become more important, as dental disease accelerates in older dogs and has systemic effects.

Diet adjustments

Calories: most senior dogs gain weight as activity drops — monitor body condition and adjust portions accordingly
Protein: contrary to old advice, senior dogs without kidney disease need adequate protein to maintain muscle — do not under-feed it
Joint support: glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) have the best evidence base for joint health
Water intake: watch for changes — increased thirst can be the first sign of diabetes or kidney disease

Exercise

Senior dogs need movement — but less intensity. The goal is maintaining muscle mass and cardiovascular health without stressing aging joints. Short, frequent walks tend to work better than one long walk. Swimming is ideal for dogs with arthritis. Avoid prolonged running or jumping on hard surfaces.

A good heuristic: if your dog is stiff the morning after an activity, it was too much. If they are energized and move more freely, it was about right.

Mental enrichment

Mental stimulation becomes even more important as physical exercise decreases. Senior dogs benefit from:

Sniff walks: let them move slowly and process smells — this is cognitively tiring in a good way
Food puzzles: slow feeders and puzzle toys keep the brain active at mealtime
Low-impact training: short sessions of learning new commands or reinforcing old ones provide meaningful stimulation

Physical comfort

Arthritic joints need support. Consider an orthopedic dog bed (memory foam works well), ramps or steps for getting onto furniture or into cars, and non-slip mats on hardwood floors. Keeping them warm matters more than it used to — thin-coated senior dogs often benefit from a coat outdoors in cold weather.

Monitoring what changes

Many conditions appear gradually and are easy to miss. Take monthly photos or videos of how your dog moves and compare over time. Track weight monthly. Note changes in appetite, thirst, sleep, or behavior — these are often the first indicators that something needs a vet’s attention.

Use our dog age calculator to see your dog’s human-equivalent age and what life stage they are in — it can make the care timeline feel more concrete.

ToolDog age calculator GuideWhen is my dog a senior?GuideDog life stages explained

Frequently asked questions

Do senior dogs need special food?: Many do. Senior dog foods are typically lower in calories (to account for reduced activity), higher in protein to maintain muscle mass, and often include added joint supplements like glucosamine. Dogs with specific conditions — kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease — may need prescription diets. Ask your vet before switching, especially if your dog has any diagnosed conditions.
How much exercise does a senior dog need?: Most senior dogs still need daily exercise — but shorter, slower sessions. Multiple 15–20 minute walks often work better than one long walk. Swimming is excellent for dogs with arthritis because it builds muscle without joint impact. Watch for signs of overexertion: heavy panting, reluctance to continue, or stiffness the next day.
What are signs of cognitive decline in dogs?: Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD, the dog equivalent of dementia) shows up as disorientation in familiar spaces, changes in sleep-wake cycles, loss of house-training, staring at walls, failing to recognize family members, or getting "stuck" in corners. It is common in dogs over 11. Speak to your vet early — there are management strategies and medications that can help.
How do I know when my senior dog is suffering?: Quality-of-life assessments look at whether a dog still has more good days than bad, whether they can eat and drink without significant pain, whether they show interest in their surroundings, and whether pain is manageable. The HHHHHMM scale (Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, More good days) is a commonly used framework vets can walk you through.