How to Track Senior Dog Health

Q: How do I track a senior dog's health at home?

Pick a fixed time each day and look at six signals: appetite, mobility, pain, mood, sleep, and energy. Log medications, record weight weekly or every two weeks, and add a short note when something changes. The pattern over a couple of weeks is what matters. Buddylio's daily check-in is built for this.

Q: How often should I weigh an older dog?

Once a week is plenty for most older dogs. Twice a week if the vet asked for closer tracking. Buddylio shows the weight trend without you doing the math.

A simple daily routine to follow at home. Check six care signals at about the same time each day. Log medications, record weight weekly or every two weeks, and add a short note when something changes.

Start with one daily check-in. Buddylio is completely free.

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Short answer: track appetite, mobility, pain, mood, sleep, and energy every day. Add medications, weekly weight, and short notes. Use whatever format you'll actually open every day. Buddylio is built around this routine.

The six daily signals

Appetite: was the meal eaten, half eaten, refused?
Mobility: getting up, stairs, walks.
Pain: signs of stiffness or soreness.
Mood: bright, quiet, anxious, withdrawn.
Sleep: restful or restless overnight.
Energy: playful, steady, low.

How to make it stick

The hardest part isn't deciding what to track. It's keeping the routine. Two things help: tie the check-in to something you already do, like the first meal or the last walk, and keep the entry under a minute. The longer it takes, the sooner it falls off.

What to add weekly

Weight: weekly, same scale, ideally same time of day.
Walks summary: duration and quality if you didn't already log them.
Pattern look: open the timeline. Anything new repeated more than 2 times?

When to take it to the vet

Pull the Veterinary Summary PDF before your next visit. Don't wait until you're trying to remember everything at once. Recent notes are easier to discuss than guesses from memory.

Privacy and safety

Notes stay on your phone. No Buddylio account, no Buddylio server.

Buddylio is a tracking and notes tool. It doesn't provide medical advice.

Common questions

How do I track a senior dog's health at home?

Six daily signals, plus medications, weight weekly or every two weeks, and a short note when something feels off.

How often should I weigh an older dog?

Weekly is plenty for most older dogs.

Get Buddylio

Buddylio is available on iPhone and Android. Download it on the App Store or get it on Google Play.

Last reviewed: May 18, 2026. See also: Senior Dog Health Tracker, Dog Veterinary Summary App, FAQ