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Older dogs may move more slowly, sleep or play differently, or show changes in appetite, thirst, weight, energy, or behavior. These changes are not automatically “just old age”: pain and illness can look similar. Contact your veterinarian about any new, persistent, worsening, or concerning change, and arrange regular senior checkups even when your dog seems well.
When does a dog become a senior?
There is no single birthday that marks old age for every dog. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) defines a dog’s senior life stage as the last 25% of its estimated lifespan, so age, size, breed, and expected lifespan all matter. AAHA’s owner guidance also recommends examinations every six months for senior pets and refers to dogs older than 7 years. That age is useful context, not a universal biological cutoff.
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As AAHA puts it in its 2023 Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, “old age is not a disease.” A change may be more common in an older dog, but age alone does not explain its cause.
Common changes to watch for
Movement and comfort
Notice whether your dog has trouble getting up or lying down, seems stiff, limps, changes posture, or hesitates before walking, playing, jumping, or using stairs. Arthritis and other sources of pain can reduce mobility. These signs are worth discussing with a veterinarian rather than diagnosing at home.
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Energy, sleep, and daily habits
A gradual or sudden drop in activity, more lethargy, changed sleep, less interest in play, or a shift in interaction with family can be significant—especially if it persists or progresses. A change in routine can be a clue, but it does not identify the cause.
Appetite, thirst, and weight
Keep track of reduced appetite, refusing food, a change in how much your dog drinks, or weight loss over time. AAHA lists these among signs that can accompany chronic disease. Report them to your veterinarian instead of assuming they are expected with age.
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Behavior, senses, and other visible changes
New behavior or personality changes may be related to pain or another health issue. Changes in vision, hearing, or elimination also merit a conversation with the veterinary team. A wound that does not heal should be checked, too.
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Call your veterinarian about a new, persistent, progressive, or otherwise concerning change in your dog’s movement, appetite, thirst, energy, weight, behavior, elimination, vision, or hearing. Chronic pain can be subtle, and a veterinary assessment can help distinguish pain or illness from other explanations. For sudden severe symptoms, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic promptly; the right response depends on the situation.
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One sign by itself cannot reliably tell you what is wrong. AAHA’s guidance on pain management emphasizes the value of owners’ observations because changes attributed to age can reflect chronic pain.
What to expect from senior checkups
AAHA’s 2024 owner guidance recommends veterinary examinations every six months for senior pets. A visit may include a physical exam, dental assessment, nutrition review, and discussion of behavior. The schedule and any tests should be chosen with your veterinarian for your individual dog.
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The professional 2023 AAHA guidelines describe a medical workup once or twice a year that may include a complete blood count, chemistry testing, and urinalysis. These are recommendations, not a required identical panel for every dog; the veterinarian should select tests based on the dog’s health and clinical picture.
How to prepare for an appointment
Brief notes can make changes easier to describe. Record when you first noticed them and whether they are getting better, staying the same, or worsening. Track relevant observations such as:
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- Appetite and drinking
- Exercise, walking, rising, stairs, and play
- Elimination, attitude, and grooming
- Vision and hearing changes
If mobility is the concern, a short video of your dog walking or attempting a familiar movement at home can help the veterinary team assess what you are seeing. AAHA’s healthy senior pet guidance also discusses the importance of history-taking and individualizing tests.
Can home changes help with mobility?
Supportive adjustments may make familiar tasks easier, but they do not treat the cause of new difficulty. Depending on your dog’s size, mobility, and the setting, a ramp can help with car access, nonslip rugs can improve traction on slippery floors, and a comfortable supportive bed can make resting easier. Choose options your dog can use safely, and contact your veterinarian about new mobility problems even if an adaptation seems to help.
AAHA discusses these types of home adaptations and senior-pet health changes.
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