Senior pet records, kept simple
A plain-language guide to keeping good records on an older dog or cat, so every vet visit starts with the facts.
Short versionAn older pet’s changes are slow, so they are easy to miss. A written record of appetite, weight, mobility, medications and mood makes vet visits more useful. The Gray Muzzle Ledger shows what is worth writing down and why.
Keep dated observations separate from clinical instructionsKeep your own dated notes and original records for manual sharing by the clinic's accepted route. Saving or sending is not professional receipt.Keep observations dated and unknown facts unknown. Check the store listing for current offers.PawLine can be used to discuss your dated notes and questions. It does not establish a diagnosis, dosing plan, triage decision or automatic clinic transfer. Guidance only; contact a licensed veterinarian for care. See the store listing for current offers, pricing and trial terms.
Why a ledger helps an older pet
Senior pets often have several concerns at once, and the vet has about one appointment to sort them out. The AAHA senior care guidelines describe a thorough history as the foundation of a senior visit: eating and drinking, exercise and movement, play, elimination, attitude, grooming, vision and hearing, and any changes at home.
A log you keep day to day answers those questions with dates instead of guesses.
Ask about what you are seeing, with your senior dog in mind
Pick your older dog or cat in the app, describe the change, and get an answer that names them and tells you what to watch for and when to call the vet. Then keep the notes where the vet can see them.
Start here
- When is a dog or cat “senior”? The guideline definitions.
- How often should a senior pet see the vet?
- A printable one-page daily log.
The ledger, section by section
Good days: a quality of life self-check for older petsA gentle seven-category scale (HHHHHMM, by Dr. Alice Villalobos) to notice changes and bring notes to your vet.Dog years calculator: dog age in human yearsConvert your dog’s age to human years with the UC Davis formula, 16 × ln(dog age) + 31, a research estimate from a study of 104 Labrador Retrievers, not a universal age or health assessment. Why the old ×7 rule is wrong.When is a dog or cat considered senior?What “senior” means in the AAHA guidelines: the last 25% of a dog’s expected lifespan, and over 10 years for cats.How often should a senior pet see the vet?AAHA recommends a senior workup once or twice a year, with lab work every 6 to 12 months. What to ask and bring.Signs of pain and arthritis in older dogs and catsSlowing down is not just age. Mobility changes to write down and show your vet, including how cats hide arthritis.Appetite, weight and thirst changes in senior petsWhy to track weight, food and water, and which changes to bring to your vet quickly.Confusion, night pacing and cognitive changesSigns of canine cognitive dysfunction according to Cornell, and how to log them for your vet.Keeping a medication and supplement logWhy every pill, powder, cream and “natural” product goes on the list, and what to bring to appointments.Tracking quality of life in an older petHow owners use a quality-of-life scale to track good days and bad days, and how to talk with your vet.The records to bring to your vetA checklist of what a vet wants from an owner of an older pet, and how to share it before the appointment.When to call the vet about an older petA short list of changes that should not wait for the next checkup, and how to find an emergency clinic.Printable daily log for a senior dog or catA one-page log you can print: appetite, water, weight, mobility, mood, medications and notes.About The Gray Muzzle Ledger and our sourcesWho publishes The Gray Muzzle Ledger, how guides are written and sourced, review status, and every source we cite.
Frequently asked questions
What should I track for a senior pet?
Appetite, water intake, weight, mobility, sleep, bathroom habits, mood, and every medication or supplement, with dates. Bring notes and short videos to the vet.
Sources
- 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (PDF) https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/globalassets/02-guidelines/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/resources/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats.pdf
- AAHA: Evaluating the healthy senior pet https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/evaluating-the-healthy-senior-pet/