Common Senior Dog Health Issues and the Early Signs to Watch For

Arthritis and joint pain

Arthritis is one of the most common conditions in older dogs, and it often creeps in so gradually that owners mistake it for “just slowing down”. It is very manageable once recognised, especially when caught early.

• Stiffness after rest, or being slow to get up
• Hesitating at stairs, jumps, or slick floors
• Less interest in walks or play than before
• Licking at a joint, or a change in how they sit or lie down

Dental disease

Dental disease is the most common — and most overlooked — senior health problem, and it affects far more than the mouth: untreated infection can strain the heart, liver, and kidneys. The good news is that it is largely preventable and treatable.

• Bad breath that is worse than usual
• Red or bleeding gums, or visible tartar
• Dropping food, chewing on one side, or going off hard food
• Pawing at the mouth or face

Vision and hearing loss

Many dogs lose some sight or hearing with age, and most adapt remarkably well in a familiar, consistent home. Cloudy-looking eyes are common and not always a problem, but any sudden change deserves a prompt vet visit.

• Bumping into furniture or hesitating in dim light
• Startling easily, or not responding to their name
• A cloudy, bluish, or newly different look to the eyes
• Sleeping through sounds that used to rouse them

Weight, appetite, and thirst changes

Shifts in weight, appetite, or how much your dog drinks are some of the earliest clues to conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid imbalance. They are easy to miss day to day, which is why a quick monthly check-in helps.

• Drinking or urinating noticeably more (or less)
• Gradual weight loss or gain without a change in food
• A sudden change in appetite, either up or down
• New accidents in the house from a previously trained dog

Lumps, bumps, and skin changes

Older dogs commonly develop lumps, and many are harmless fatty growths — but only a vet can tell the difference, and early checks matter. Make a habit of running your hands over your dog now and then and noting anything new.

• Any new lump, or one that changes size, shape, or feel
• Sores that do not heal, or areas your dog keeps licking
• Changes in coat quality, or new flaky or itchy patches

Cognitive change (“doggy dementia”)

Some senior dogs develop canine cognitive dysfunction, a little like dementia in people. It can be eased with routine, enrichment, and sometimes medication or diet, so it is worth raising with your vet rather than writing off as old age.

• Confusion, staring at walls, or getting “stuck” in corners
• Restlessness or pacing at night, with disrupted sleep
• Seeming to forget familiar people, routines, or house-training
• Less interest in greeting you or in play

When to call the vet

Routine senior check-ups twice a year catch most of these conditions early, when they are easiest and cheapest to treat. Between visits, trust your instincts: you know your dog best, and a quick call is always better than waiting. Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, collapse, a swollen or painful belly, repeated vomiting, inability to urinate, or any sudden severe change.

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice — always confirm anything you notice with your own veterinarian, who can examine your dog and give advice tailored to them.