Senior Dog Tips for Pet Sitters

Senior dogs can be some of the best and sweetest clients for pet sitters. And developing the skillset required to care for them can be a huge selling point, making your profile stand out and appeal to a wider variety of owners seeking care.

But senior dogs can also be a lot of work, with significant care needs and physical and emotional labor.

In this article, we’ll cover what to expect when pet sitting a senior dog, tips for their care and comfort, plus the best questions to ask to help you know when a client might not be a good fit.

Questions To Ask Owners

Different senior dogs require different levels of care. To determine whether a senior dog is the right fit for you and vice versa, start off by asking some key questions:

What is this dog’s daily routine?
Are there any mobility issues or physical issues and limitations to be aware of (e.g., arthritis, deafness, blindness)?
What medications is this dog on, and what is the schedule for them? How are they administered?
What are the dog’s dietary needs, and are there any challenges around eating and drinking?
What type of exercise is most comfortable for this dog?
What behaviors should I watch out for that might indicate a health problem?
What tools or systems are being used to provide physical and/or emotional comfort?
Does this dog have accidents? What needs do they have around going potty?
How long can they safely be left on their own?
How is their current health? What is the emergency plan if their health takes a turn for the worse?

Planning for Senior Care

Caring for a senior dog will likely require adjusting your pet-sitting plans to accommodate their specific needs. Here are some things to consider when looking after a senior dog:

Constant care. Senior dogs often can’t be left alone for as long as younger dogs. Be sure to ask your prospective client what their dog’s alone time limits are and consider adding a “constant care” rate if applicable.
Potty breaks. Older dogs may need more frequent potty breaks, including going out in the middle of the night.
Routine matching. Senior dogs often have more structured schedules, which may require you to be more flexible with your daily routine—and your ability to take on other dog clients.
Walks. You may need to provide shorter but more frequent walks, depending on the dog’s physical health and capacity.
Temperature needs. Some older dogs have issues regulating their body temperature, so you’ll need to be extra careful in particularly hot or cold conditions.
Food and water. It’s not unusual for senior dogs to have specific dietary needs. They may also be picky eaters or need extra encouragement to drink to avoid dehydration.
Arthritis and joint problems. Just like older humans, dogs can develop arthritis and joint issues as they age. As such, they may be sensitive to touch or require specific types of care.
Health management and medications. Senior dogs may also require health monitoring or medication. Meds can range from simple oral pills to more complex injections.

Senior dog looks happily at camera from grassy field

Leila Coker via iStock

Prep Your Home for a Senior Dog

Adapting your home to a senior dog’s needs can help ensure a safe and comfortable stay. If you plan to pet sit senior dogs regularly, consider:

Furniture ramps. Senior dogs may have a harder time jumping on couches, beds, and other furniture. A pet ramp can help them access comfy spots more easily.
Carpets or mats. If you have slippery floors, rugs and mats can provide senior dogs more traction and reduce the likelihood of falls.
Accident proofing. Senior dogs often have less bladder control. Consider blocking off certain areas of your home with pet gates and stock up on pet-safe cleaning supplies, pee pads, and even pee bands for clients who use them.
Orthopedic bedding. A supportive dog bed with memory foam can help ease achy joints. But before you go out and buy an expensive new bed, ask your client to bring their dog’s preferred bedding.

When getting your home ready for a senior dog, you’ll also want to consider the following:

Stairway help. Ask about the dog’s weight if you need to physically help them navigate stairs or other areas of your house—you want to make sure you’re up to the task!
Other clients. Consider whether it’s okay to have other clients. Seniors may not tolerate other, more exuberant dogs. They may also require more of your attention, making it difficult to divide your time between multiple pups.

Tips for Handling Common Senior Dog Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter with a senior dog, along with pet-sitter tips for handling them.

Note: Always discuss what’s normal for the senior dog beforehand. That way, you can establish a baseline and seek vet help if anything strays out of the norm.

Refusal to eat

Senior dogs can be finicky eaters or have physical limitations that make mealtimes more difficult. To help them out:

Use elevated bowls so they’re easier to access and the dog doesn’t have to bend down or strain to reach them.
Place extra mats around the food and water bowls to reduce the stress of slipping or falling.
Make food more enticing by warming it up or adding a topper (approved for their diet).
Consider feeding smaller, more frequent meals or feeding by hand.

Refusal to walk

Older dogs still need daily movement, but it might look quite different from the exercise of the younger dogs you watch. If a senior dog in your care isn’t thrilled about getting outside, try the following:

Go at a slower pace and keep walks short.
Head outside when the temperature is most comfortable for your senior dog.
Walk on soft and secure surfaces, such as grass, where the dog’s paws will be more comfortable and won’t slip.
Ask your client if they have special mobility gear, such as a harness with handles or a walker with wheels.
Trade in walks for other exercise options, like gentle games and play inside or puzzle toys.

Wavetop via iStock

Frequent accidents

It’s important to never scold a senior dog for a potty accident—they can’t help it. To manage accidents:

Stick to the senior dog’s potty break schedule as best you can.
When you can’t get out quickly, put out pee pads, or ask your client if the dog can wear a diaper or pee band.
A grass pee patch on your balcony or by the door can also offer an easy-to-access potty place.

Medical emergencies

It’s tough to think about, but you may encounter a medical emergency when caring for a senior dog. Make a plan with the dog’s owner beforehand so that you can take quick action. Things you may want to have prepped ahead of time include:

The contact information of the dog’s vet or a nearby emergency clinic.
Additional contact information for the dog’s family, such as the hotel they’re staying at.
Beds and blankets to ensure the dog is comfortable and warm.
A carrier or crate to gently move the dog or take them to seek medical help.
A pet emergency kit for minor injuries.

End of life questions

This can be a hard topic to bring up, but it’s important to be candid with your client. Be sure to:

Ask the owner if they anticipate their dog having a medical emergency.
Ask them about their end-of-life plans.
Ask yourself if you’re prepared to accept the risks that come with caring for a senior dog.

While caring for a senior dog can be a truly enriching experience, it’s not for everyone. Looking after a dog who’s not in good health can take an emotional toll—it’s one of the significant challenges of looking after a super senior pup.

Some reasons why you may say no to taking on a senior dog include:

The senior dog has a severe illness or disability that you don’t feel comfortable managing.
The stay requires medication administration that you’re not trained to handle.
You know that a dog is nearing the end of their life.
The senior dog falls frequently or has another issue that requires near-constant supervision.

Honesty with yourself and the dog’s owners will be your best guide here. Ultimately, if you don’t feel comfortable with the situation, declining a senior dog is not only okay, but it’s in the best interest of everyone involved.