When to Take Your Senior Dog to the Vet

Not every change in an older dog needs an emergency trip — but some do. Here's how to tell the difference.

This is general guidance, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If in doubt, it's always safer to contact your vet than to wait and see — this is especially true for older dogs, where conditions can progress faster than in younger ones.

Routine check-ups

Most UK vets recommend senior dogs (see our life stages guide for size-specific senior thresholds) move to twice-yearly wellness checks instead of the standard annual visit. These routine visits are where early signs of arthritis, dental disease, and organ changes are most likely to be caught, often before you'd notice anything at home.

Book a routine appointment if you notice

Gradual weight gain or loss over several weeks
Slight stiffness after resting that eases with movement
Slightly increased sleeping or reduced enthusiasm for walks
Mild greying, cloudiness in the eyes, or a duller coat
Small changes in appetite or thirst that persist for more than a few days

Contact your vet promptly if you notice

Sudden lameness or reluctance to bear weight on a leg
A new lump, especially if it's growing quickly or changing
Noticeable disorientation or confusion, particularly if it comes on suddenly
Marked changes in toileting habits, or straining to urinate or defecate
Rapid, unexplained weight loss
Persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, or loss of appetite lasting more than a day or two
Noticeably laboured or rapid breathing at rest

Seek emergency care immediately if you notice

Collapse, seizures, or inability to stand
Severe difficulty breathing
Suspected poisoning
A bloated, hard, or visibly distended abdomen (a potential sign of bloat, a life-threatening emergency, particularly in large, deep-chested breeds)
Uncontrolled bleeding

When telehealth can help

For non-urgent questions — "is this normal for my dog's age," or "should I be worried about this" — vet telehealth services can be a useful first step, particularly outside normal surgery hours or when you just want a professional opinion before deciding whether an in-person visit is needed. They're not a substitute for hands-on examination when something serious is suspected, but they can help you triage what needs immediate attention versus what can wait for a routine appointment.

Stay on top of parasite protectionAd

Routine flea, tick and worm treatment is one of the easiest things to let slip in a senior dog's care plan, but it matters just as much as in earlier life stages. VetBox delivers monthly treatment straight to your door, dosed for your dog's size, so it's one less thing to remember between vet visits.

Check VetBox plans

Check your dog's life stage

Knowing roughly where your dog sits in human years can help you judge what's typical for their age.

Go to the calculator