Older dogs.
Bigger hearts.
Better days.
Sourced, practical advice for senior dog owners. Written as Sarah and Leo Bennett by a small team researching how to give a Border Collie named Lucy the best possible senior years.
Lucy, age 7. The reason this site exists.
Start here
The guides senior dog owners reach for most, from the first signs of aging to the hardest decisions.
Quality of Life Scale for Dogs (HHHHHMM, Vet-Used Tool)
Wondering if it's time? The vet-used HHHHHMM quality of life scale for dogs weighs her good days against the bad, gently and in writing. Free printable.
Best Joint Supplements for Senior Dogs (9 Compared, Vet-Sourced)
Updated for 2026. The 9 best joint supplements for senior dogs, compared by glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, omega-3, and independent certification.
Best Orthopedic Dog Beds for Senior & Large Dogs (7 Compared)
Updated for 2026. The 7 best orthopedic dog beds for senior and large dogs, compared by foam thickness, density, warranty, and price. Vet-sourced criteria.
Making Your Home Easier for a Senior Dog
A warm, practical guide to senior dog home modifications: low-cost changes to floors, beds, food, lighting, and stairs that make an aging dog's day gentler.
Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs: Age Limits, Pre-Existing Conditions, and What Is Covered
Pet insurance for senior dogs: what the law makes insurers disclose, what four providers say in their own words, and how to decide whether it is worth it.
Best Harness for Senior Dogs: 5 Picks for Lifting, Daily Walks, and Hindlimb Support
The best harness for senior dogs: 5 picks compared for daily lifting, walks, and hind-leg support, plus the lift-vs-walking decision, sizing, and what to avoid.
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Latest articles
Our most recent writing on senior dog care.
Pimobendan (Vetmedin) for Dogs: What It Does and Which Dogs It Is For
Pimobendan for dogs: what the FDA label approves it for, why it starts before symptoms, which stages must not take it, and the label's own side-effect data.
11 min
Is Pet Insurance Worth It for a Senior Dog?
Is pet insurance worth it for a senior dog? Insurance pays for the next condition, not the current one. The half you can answer today, and the half you cannot.
9 min
Heart Murmur in Senior Dogs: What the Grade Means and What Happens Next
A heart murmur in senior dogs is a sound, not a diagnosis. What the I to VI grades measure, when loudness does track severity, and what the vet does next.
10 min
Furosemide (Lasix) for Dogs With Heart Failure: The First Dose, Side Effects, and When to Call
Furosemide for dogs with heart failure: what the first dose does, which side effects are normal, which mean stop and call, and why the vet rechecks blood.
11 min
Congestive Heart Failure in Senior Dogs: Stages and Life Expectancy
Congestive heart failure in dogs life expectancy depends on the stage: the ACVIM stages, the median survival studies found, and the one number to count at home.
12 min
Splenic Mass in a Senior Dog: Surgery, No Surgery, and How to Decide
A splenic mass in a senior dog forces a decision before anyone knows what it is. The two-thirds rule, where each road leads, and how owners actually decide.
13 min
Guilt After Putting Your Dog Down: The Three Things Owners Blame Themselves For
Guilt after putting your dog down takes three shapes: it was too soon, I wasn't paying attention, I feel relieved. What each is made of, and what helps.
10 min
Senior Dog Food Prices: Cost per 1,000 kcal for 15 Dry Foods, Tracked Monthly (2026)
Senior dog food prices compared the honest way: cost per 1,000 kcal and per month for 15 dry foods, from one retailer, rechecked monthly. The spread is 2.7x.
9 min
Librela Adverse Events: Every Sign in the FDA's 3,342 Dog Reports (2023-2024 Data)
Librela adverse events from the FDA's own listing: 3,342 dog reports, 927 signs, ranked and grouped. What is common, what clusters, what the numbers cannot say.
11 min
Old Dog Back Legs Weak or Giving Out: What It Means, and What to Check First
Old dog back legs weak or giving out: the four causes, the home check that separates pain from nerve damage, which cases go tonight, and what the vet does next.
14 min
Cloudy Eyes in Senior Dogs: Which Ones Can Wait, and Which Cannot
Cloudy eyes in senior dogs are usually a harmless aging change. Two questions separate that from the version that needs a vet tonight.
12 min
Senior Dog Collapse: What to Watch, and What to Tell the Vet
Senior dog collapse: why you go even after she gets up, the four things that separate a faint from a seizure, and what the vet needs you to have noticed.
13 minIs your dog a senior yet?
A quick check against the AAHA Senior Care Guidelines and the standard size-adjusted veterinary chart. Three inputs, takes ten seconds.
What this site is
- Real experience. Products and approaches we have used or researched in depth.
- Sourced advice. Every health claim links to a peer-reviewed study, a veterinary association guideline, or a credentialed expert.
- Transparent reviews. If a link in an article earns us a commission, it is disclosed at the top of that article. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
- Clear, useful writing. We get to the point and back it up.
What this site is not
This is not veterinary advice. For your dog's specific symptoms, please consult a licensed veterinarian.