When is a dog considered a senior?

It depends on size and breed: larger dogs are often seniors around 6–7, smaller dogs closer to 10–11. But age is a range, not a switch — it's more about how your dog is doing than a birthday.

Do senior dogs need different daily care?

Often small adjustments: gentler exercise, comfortable rest, easy access to their favorite spots, and more regular vet check-ins so small changes are caught early.

My senior dog sleeps much more than they used to — is that normal?

More sleep is common in older dogs. It's worth mentioning to your vet if it comes with other changes, but on its own, longer naps are usually just part of an older dog's days.

How can I keep my senior dog comfortable?

Warm, supportive bedding, shorter and gentler walks, steady routines, and keeping food, water, and resting spots easy to reach all help a great deal.

Can you still engage or teach an older dog?

Yes. Gentle games, scent work, and short, low-pressure sessions keep an older dog engaged and are a lovely way to spend time together.

Senior years · The season you're in

The senior years

Somewhere along the way, the pace changes. The walks get a little slower, the naps a little longer, and a quiet, settled trust takes the place of the puppy chaos. The senior years have a character all their own — and they're worth paying attention to.

An older dog dozing in a warm patch of afternoon sun beside their person

A season, not a decline

A different season, not a lesser one

Older dogs aren't just younger dogs slowing down. This is its own chapter, with its own small joys: the deep contentment of a familiar routine, the way they know you now, the ease that comes from years together.

Noticing what's good about this season is the whole point.

What's shifting

What tends to shift

You might notice more sleep, stiffer mornings, a softer appetite, or senses that aren't as sharp — hearing, sight, smell.

None of it happens all at once, and much of it is simply the ordinary shape of an older dog's days. Knowing what's normal helps you tell it apart from what's worth a vet's ear.

What to notice now

What's worth noticing now

The senior years are quiet, and quiet things go undocumented. The particular sunny spot they choose. The new evening routine. The way they still find you across a room.

These are the small, true details of who your dog is right now — the ones easiest to let slip by unremarked.

Small comforts

Small comforts that help

Gentle, shorter walks over long ones. A warm, supportive place to sleep. Easy access to water and their favorite spots. Regular check-ins with your vet so small changes get caught early.

Little adjustments, made kindly, keep these years comfortable.

A real example

This is what one morning looks like.

Not advice in general — one thing to notice about your dog today, and one thing to try.

An example for an older dog.

Watch for new favorite resting spots

Older dogs often choose resting places based on comfort. Today, notice if your dog starts picking a new spot in the apartment, or if a previously liked spot is now ignored. Perhaps it is a place that feels warmer, or has softer ground, or is less trafficked. Making that new spot extra comfortable can make a big difference for your dog.

Try this today

If you notice an emerging favorite resting spot, add a soft blanket or a small rug there before bedtime.

Questions about the senior years

When is a dog considered a senior?: It depends on size and breed: larger dogs are often seniors around 6–7, smaller dogs closer to 10–11. But age is a range, not a switch — it's more about how your dog is doing than a birthday.
Do senior dogs need different daily care?: Often small adjustments: gentler exercise, comfortable rest, easy access to their favorite spots, and more regular vet check-ins so small changes are caught early.
My senior dog sleeps much more than they used to — is that normal?: More sleep is common in older dogs. It's worth mentioning to your vet if it comes with other changes, but on its own, longer naps are usually just part of an older dog's days.
How can I keep my senior dog comfortable?: Warm, supportive bedding, shorter and gentler walks, steady routines, and keeping food, water, and resting spots easy to reach all help a great deal.
Can you still engage or teach an older dog?: Yes. Gentle games, scent work, and short, low-pressure sessions keep an older dog engaged and are a lovely way to spend time together.

The bond only deepens

The bond only deepens.

There's an ease to an old dog and their person that younger years can't touch. You know each other. The communication is quiet and complete. For many people, this turns out to be the most tender stretch of the whole relationship.

These years, noticed.

Takes about a minute. Free to start.

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