Senior Dog Care: 9 Ways to Support Your Aging Pup

It feels like you were bringing home a young, energetic puppy just yesterday. Now your vet is talking about caring for your senior dog. 

As your furry friend gets older, there are some simple things you can do to make their life safer, easier, and more comfortable. Here are nine tips for keeping your senior dog healthy as they age. 

How can you care for an older dog?

As dogs get older, they develop a greater risk for certain age-related problems. Because of this, your senior dog’s healthcare requires more thought and effort than it did when they were young. By providing for your senior pup’s physical, psychological, and nutritional needs, you can help them live their best life well into their golden years.  

1. Buy food formulated for senior dogs

As dogs age, their nutritional needs change. Older dogs often need foods that: 

• Are easy to digest

• Are formulated for an older dog's energy levels

• Have nutrients to fight aging

You want to ensure that your dog gets the proper nutrients for their age, size, and activity level. Because older dogs tend to slow down, their risk of putting on weight increases. Weight gain in older dogs increases their risk of other health problems, such as:

• Joint problems

• Obesity

• Diabetes

Talk to your veterinarian about the best diet for your dog. Many dog foods are marketed for senior pets. But they might not be the best choice for your dog, since the ingredients can vary widely between brands. Depending on your dog’s health conditions, you may need to look for specific nutrients in their food.

2. Consider dog supplements

Senior dogs are less able to digest and absorb nutrients from food, owing to dental disease and other issues. So some older dogs can benefit from dietary supplements. However, you should always speak with your vet before starting your dog on any supplement.

When considering supplements for your senior dog, the following may be beneficial:

• Vitamin B complex

• Vitamin E

• Coenzyme Q-10

• Alpha lipoic acid

• L-carnitine 

• Dimethylglycine (DMG)

• Probiotics

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If your dog has pain or mobility issues caused by joint damage, joint supplements may help. Common options include:

• Glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) 

• Chondroitin

• CBD

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Green-lipped mussel

Keep in mind that the FDA does not regulate supplements. Before giving your dog any supplement, discuss the potential benefits and risks with your vet. 

3. Stay on top of routine vet checkups

Senior dogs need more frequent routine vet visits. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends senior dogs have at least two checkups annually. 

By taking your dog for more frequent checkups, you can help make sure illnesses are caught and treated early, before they become a bigger problem. It also gives you a chance to check in with your vet about nutrition needs and other modifications that may benefit your aging pup.

Additionally, your senior dog may have different vaccination needs as they age. So ask your vet what vaccinations are necessary, given your pup’s age and lifestyle. 

4. Reduce slip-and-fall risks

Take note of areas around the house that you can modify to make your dog’s environment easier. Notice where your dog needs assistance. Is your pet avoiding hardwood floors because they can’t get traction? 

The goal is to give your senior dog easy access to the necessities. It makes life easier if your pet doesn’t have to go too far to access:

• Water

• Food

• Toys

• Dog beds

By modifying the home environment, you can help your canine companion maintain their routine as much as possible. For example, you can:

• Put nonslip carpet runners or area rugs over slippery hardwood, tile, and laminate floors.

• Make sure stairs have an anti-skid surface that is easy for your dog to grip.

• Block stairways off with dog gates to avoid mishaps if your dog struggles with stairs.

5. Invest in dog ramps and stairs

With aging, everyday tasks like getting into and out of the car or climbing into bed with you become more challenging for your pup. They may need a little assistance with a small set of doggie stairs or a ramp.

When purchasing stairs or a ramp, look for the following:

• A gentle slope

• A non-slip surface so your pup can easily get traction

• A design that can support your dog’s weight

• A device that you can easily move

6. Switch out dog beds

A pain-free night’s sleep is crucial for your furry friend. So it may also be helpful to update your senior dog’s bed. Consider investing in a quality orthopedic or heated dog bed to help your dog with the stiffness and pain of arthritis and other age-related joint mobility problems. 

Remember, making your pup comfortable is key to improving their mobility and quality of life. 

7. Keep up with grooming

Grooming your dog allows you to spend quality time together. It also allows you to check for new lumps and bumps regularly. Remember that your dog may have difficulty grooming themselves if they’re dealing with painful joints and stiffness. 

Even if your pup is used to going to a groomer, aging can make that experience more stressful. Loud noises, other dogs, and long periods of standing can create anxiety for an older dog. 

Since you know your dog, you can gently groom them without increasing their stress while watching for tender spots and changes to their coat and skin. 

8. Make sure they get regular exercise

There’s an old saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” If dogs don’t get regular exercise, they lose muscle mass and strength. The loss of muscle mass speeds up aging and makes your dog more prone to injuries and health issues.

Your senior dog may not be up for long hikes or strenuous dog sports. However, ensuring your pup gets gentle, regular exercise is still essential. As with humans, keeping active helps dogs maintain mobility and slows the onset of mobility problems such as arthritis and muscle loss.

9. Find new toys and enrichment activities

Senior dogs can experience cognitive decline, similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. One way to combat this is through physical and mental stimulation. 

Great ways to provide enrichment for your senior dog include:

• Take your dog for short walks outside.

• Try out a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat for meals and treats.

• Design games for your dog where they search for hidden treats or toys around the house.

• Keep up on training with positive reinforcement.

• Set up social time with other senior pups or calm dogs.

What age is a dog considered a senior?

Contrary to popular belief, 1 year is not necessarily equal to 7 years in a dog’s life. Dogs can be considered senior during the last 25% of their estimated lifespan. This is determined by breed and size. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans. 

So when does your dog get their AAbarkP card in the mail? Exact numbers vary, but here’s generally how it breaks down:

You can use this canine life stage calculator to better understand your dog’s age.

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Written by:

Lauren Lee, BA, MA

Lauren Lee, BA, MA, is a writer specializing in animal care and pet health content. Since she was a young child, her passions have been writing and anything to do with animals.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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