Senior Dog Care
The gray-muzzle years bring the best cuddles — and the biggest vet bills. Our condition-by-condition guides explain what's happening, what the vet will likely recommend, what it costs, and what you can do at home. Written in plain language, reviewed against veterinary sources, and always honest about uncertainty.
Condition guides
Arthritis in Dogs
The most common senior-dog diagnosis: stiff mornings, slow stairs, and lagging walks. Covers symptoms, how vets diagnose it, every major treatment option (from NSAIDs to Librela to rehab), a home-care checklist, and realistic cost ranges.
Read the guide →
More guides in progress
We're researching and writing the next guides in this series now. On the list:
- Kidney disease — early detection, diet changes, and subcutaneous fluids at home
- Dental disease — why cleanings matter more after 8, and what anesthesia really risks
- Canine cognitive dysfunction — doggy dementia: signs, enrichment, and medications
No placeholder pages here — each guide goes live only when it's genuinely useful.
Senior care basics that apply to every dog
Vet visits go twice-yearly
Senior checkups typically add bloodwork ($100–$200), urinalysis, and blood-pressure checks to catch kidney, liver, and thyroid issues early — when they're cheapest to manage.
Food needs change
Slower metabolisms need fewer calories but still plenty of high-quality protein, plus joint-supporting nutrients. See our senior dog food guide.
Budget for the vet, not just the food
Healthcare is already ~30% of annual costs and runs about 50% higher for seniors. Our cost calculator applies the senior adjustment automatically.
Price out the senior years
Enter your dog's breed and age to see senior-adjusted lifetime costs — and set an emergency-fund target before you need it.