Holiday Care for Senior Dogs: How to Arrange Familiar, Comfortable Care While You’re Away

Updated August 2026

Going away when you have an older dog can feel very different from arranging holiday care for a younger dog.

Your senior dog may need medication at particular times. Their walks may be shorter. They might need more frequent toilet opportunities, help with steps or a familiar sleeping arrangement.

They may also simply be less comfortable with change than they once were.

That does not mean you cannot go away.

It means choosing care around the dog you have now rather than automatically using the arrangement that worked five years ago.

This guide explains the main options for senior dog holiday care, what information your carer needs, how to prepare your home and why remaining in familiar surroundings can be particularly helpful for some older dogs.

Senior dog holiday care at a glance

• Choose holiday care around your senior dog’s current health, mobility, routine and ability to cope with change.
• House sitting can suit older dogs who benefit from remaining in their own familiar home, although it is not automatically right for every dog.
• Give your carer clear written instructions about food, medication, walks, toilet routines, sleep and behavioural or medical changes.
• Agree exactly how long your dog can comfortably be left during the day.
• Leave veterinary, insurance and emergency-contact information before you travel.
• Arrange a proper meet-and-greet and tell your sitter about small changes rather than dismissing them as old age.

Why holiday care can become more complicated as dogs get older

A senior dog may have managed kennels, home boarding or travelling with you perfectly well when they were younger.

That does not mean the same arrangement will always remain appropriate.

Ageing can bring changes to:

• mobility
• hearing
• eyesight
• confidence
• sleep
• toileting
• appetite
• medication
• temperature tolerance
• ability to cope alone
• recovery after exercise

Some changes are very gradual.

You may barely notice them because you live with your dog every day.

Before booking holiday care, take an honest look at what your dog needs now.

My Senior Dog Care Guide brings together the wider signs and adaptations worth considering as your dog ages.

What are the main holiday-care options for a senior dog?

Broadly, you might consider:

• house sitting in your own home
• licensed home boarding
• boarding kennels
• staying with trusted family or friends
• taking your dog away with you

There is no single answer that suits every older dog.

The best option depends on your dog’s individual needs.

The Blue Cross guide to boarding kennels and alternatives recommends looking carefully at your dog’s temperament and needs when deciding which arrangement is suitable.

For a senior dog, I would add their mobility, medication, sleeping pattern, toilet routine and ability to handle environmental change to that decision.

Is house sitting a good option for an older dog?

It can be.

House sitting allows your dog to remain in the environment they already understand.

They keep their:

• normal bed
• familiar smells
• usual food
• water bowls
• garden
• local walking routes
• everyday household sounds
• normal sleeping arrangements

For an older dog, that familiarity can remove many unnecessary changes.

My house-sitting service in Finchley and North London is particularly suited to suitable senior pets, nervous dogs and animals who benefit from staying within an established routine.

But house sitting should not simply be booked because somebody says it is good for old dogs.

You still need to make sure that the individual sitter can meet your dog’s actual needs.

When staying at home may be particularly helpful

I would consider in-home care especially carefully if your dog:

• has reduced eyesight
• has hearing loss
• finds unfamiliar places confusing
• has established medication times
• needs frequent toilet access
• sleeps in a particular place
• has mobility problems
• relies on non-slip routes through the home
• becomes unsettled in new environments
• is nervous around unfamiliar dogs
• has cognitive changes
• needs quiet recovery after walks

Dogs Trust advises keeping an older dog’s environment familiar where sight or cognitive changes make navigation more difficult.

You can read its guide to looking after an older dog for further information.

House sitting is not automatically continuous care

This is important.

House sitting does not necessarily mean somebody remains in your home twenty-four hours a day.

Different sitters offer different arrangements.

Ask:

• How long will you leave my dog?
• How often will you leave?
• What happens during the day?
• What time do you arrive?
• What time do you leave after the final night?
• What happens if my dog suddenly cannot cope with being left?

Do not assume.

Ask before booking.

With my own house-sitting service, standard overnight care can include daytime absences.

I also offer a separate continuous-care option for suitable pets who cannot safely or comfortably manage normal daytime absences.

If your senior dog’s needs have changed, tell me.

How long can your senior dog actually be left?

Use their current routine rather than an old assumption.

Perhaps your dog used to be perfectly happy for four hours but now needs to toilet every two hours.

Perhaps they have become more anxious.

Maybe medication has changed their routine.

Or perhaps nothing has changed and they still sleep peacefully when left.

Tell the sitter the truth.

Do not say your dog can manage four hours simply because that was true several years ago.

Think about:

• toileting
• medication
• separation distress
• mobility
• confusion
• access to water
• temperature
• nighttime behaviour

Your carer cannot provide the right arrangement without accurate information.

Senior dogs and licensed home boarding

Some older dogs are perfectly happy staying in somebody else’s home.

If your dog enjoys visiting other places, copes well with changes in routine and knows the person providing care, home boarding may be suitable.

However, there are additional things to consider.

Ask about:

• stairs
• slippery flooring
• garden access
• other dogs
• children
• sleeping arrangements
• how many dogs are boarded
• medication
• how long dogs are left
• exercise arrangements
• emergency procedures

In England, anyone commercially boarding dogs in their own home must have the appropriate local-authority licence.

The Blue Cross boarding and holiday-care guide recommends checking licensing, insurance, emergency arrangements and the environment before using home boarding.

Visit before committing where possible.

Your dog may tell you a great deal simply by how comfortably they move and settle there.

Are kennels suitable for senior dogs?

They can suit some dogs.

A confident senior dog who knows a particular kennel and has always settled well there may be perfectly comfortable returning.

Other dogs may find the environment harder as they age.

Think about:

• noise
• unfamiliar dogs
• different sleeping arrangements
• changes to routine
• flooring
• temperatures
• exercise arrangements
• medication
• toilet opportunities

Do not rule kennels out purely because your dog is older.

Equally, do not use them automatically because that is what you have always done.

Reassess the arrangement around your dog’s current needs.

What about leaving your dog with family or friends?

A trusted friend or relative can sometimes provide excellent care.

Your dog may already know them well.

But familiarity is only part of the question.

Can they safely manage:

• your dog’s medication
• slower walks
• lifting or physical assistance if required
• toileting accidents
• nighttime restlessness
• veterinary emergencies
• reactivity
• pain-related behaviour
• unusual eating habits

Be realistic.

Someone can love your dog deeply without being comfortable managing a complicated senior-care routine.

Professional care is not always necessary.

Competent care is.

Should you take your senior dog on holiday with you?

Some senior dogs genuinely enjoy travelling.

Others would much rather stay home.

Before taking your dog away, consider:

• journey length
• ability to get in and out of the vehicle
• toilet breaks
• accommodation flooring
• stairs
• sleeping arrangements
• weather
• unfamiliar walking routes
• access to veterinary care
• medication storage
• whether the holiday is actually enjoyable for your dog

Do not assume that being with you automatically makes every trip better.

Sometimes staying in their own bed with a trusted person is the kinder option.

Arrange a meet-and-greet before you travel

I would be extremely cautious about leaving an older dog with somebody they have never met.

A meet-and-greet allows your sitter to see:

• how your dog moves
• how they respond to them
• where they sleep
• how they access the garden
• their walking equipment
• medication arrangements
• food storage
• household layout

It also allows your dog to meet the person without you disappearing immediately afterwards.

For a dog who is nervous or particularly sensitive, more than one introduction may be helpful.

Let the sitter see your dog move

This is particularly useful with older dogs.

Show them:

• how quickly your dog normally gets up
• how they manage steps
• whether they need help at a doorway
• their normal walking pace
• how they get onto their bed
• whether they hesitate on certain floors

That gives the sitter a baseline.

If something looks very different while you are away, they are more likely to notice.

My guide Is My Dog Just Getting Older? Signs Your Senior Dog May Be Slowing Down explains the sorts of subtle changes worth monitoring.

Write down the normal routine

Do not rely on remembering everything during the handover.

Write it down.

Include:

Morning

• normal wake-up time
• first toilet opportunity
• breakfast
• medication
• morning walk
• usual rest period

Daytime

• when your dog normally sleeps
• expected toilet breaks
• how long they normally stay alone
• lunch if relevant
• medication
• enrichment

Evening

• evening meal
• walk
• medication
• usual settling routine
• final toilet break

Night

• sleeping location
• night-time toilet needs
• usual waking
• what is normal if they become restless

Your routine does not have to be followed to the minute unless there is a medical reason.

It gives the sitter the pattern your dog understands.

Be precise about medication

Do not write:

“Tablet morning and evening.”

Instead provide:

• medicine name
• dose
• exact time or acceptable time window
• how it is normally given
• whether it needs food
• what to do if your dog refuses it
• what to do if they vomit
• where medication is stored
• prescribing veterinary practice

Leave medication in its labelled packaging where practical.

Provide enough to cover the booking plus a reasonable amount for an unexpected travel delay.

Do not expect a sitter to decide whether a dose should be increased, reduced or repeated.

Those decisions belong with the veterinary team.

Tell your sitter how medication is normally given

This can save a lot of unnecessary stress.

If your dog willingly takes a tablet hidden in a particular food, say so.

If they need an oral liquid, demonstrate how you give it.

If medication has ever caused guarding or defensive behaviour, disclose that before booking.

A senior dog’s medication routine should not become an experiment on the first evening of your holiday.

Make sure the sitter is comfortable giving medication

Ask before booking.

Not every sitter provides every kind of medical support.

With my own house-sitting service, I may be able to provide straightforward medication that has been discussed beforehand and can be administered safely within my competence.

I do not diagnose illness, alter prescribed doses or provide veterinary treatment.

More complex procedures may need a veterinary professional or another suitably qualified person.

Provide your veterinary details

Your sitter should have:

• veterinary practice name
• address
• telephone number
• emergency or out-of-hours provider
• relevant medical history
• current medication
• insurance details where appropriate

Do not leave the sitter searching through old emails during an emergency.

Put the information somewhere obvious and provide a digital copy too if useful.

Nominate a local emergency contact

Choose someone who:

• is not travelling with you
• is reasonably local
• knows your dog
• can access the house if necessary
• can help with practical decisions
• is willing to be contacted

Ask their permission before giving their details to the sitter.

Your emergency contact can be particularly useful if you are on a flight, in a different time zone or otherwise temporarily unreachable.

Decide how veterinary emergencies will be handled

Talk about this before travelling.

Your sitter should know:

• when you want to be contacted
• who your normal vet is
• which emergency practice to use
• how veterinary bills will be handled
• whether your insurer has specific requirements
• who can make decisions if you cannot be reached

Do not leave difficult conversations until the emergency happens.

The Blue Cross holiday-care guidance recommends giving temporary carers veterinary details, medical information, medication instructions and an emergency contact.

Tell the sitter what is normal for your dog

This can be just as important as explaining medical conditions.

For example:

“Bert takes about thirty seconds to stand after a long sleep but then walks normally.”

is useful.

So is:

“Maisie normally eats breakfast immediately. If she leaves it, that is unusual.”

Or:

“Charlie often wakes once at about 3am and asks to go into the garden.”

Without that information, your sitter cannot easily distinguish normal senior behaviour from a change.

Explain what is not normal

I would also leave a short list headed:

Please contact me if…

For example:

• they refuse two meals
• they vomit
• they develop diarrhoea
• they cannot stand normally
• their normal limp becomes considerably worse
• they fall
• they become unusually confused
• they drink dramatically more
• medication is refused
• they cannot toilet
• their breathing changes

For serious symptoms, the sitter may need veterinary help rather than waiting for you to respond.

Feeding instructions need to be exact

Senior dogs may be on:

• a measured diet
• prescription food
• weight-management food
• several smaller meals
• medication with food

Write down:

• food brand and variety
• amount
• meal times
• allowed treats
• foods to avoid
• what is used for medication
• what to do if they refuse food

Do not write “one scoop” unless the scoop is clearly identified.

Grams are much more useful.

My Senior Dog Nutrition Guide covers weight, appetite, treats and feeding older dogs in more detail.

Leave enough food

Leave more than the exact amount required for the planned booking.

Flights are delayed.

Trains are cancelled.

Travel plans change.

Your dog should not run out of a particular diet because your return is unexpectedly delayed.

This is especially important with prescription foods that cannot simply be replaced with whatever the sitter finds in the local shop.

Explain your dog’s walking routine

An older dog does not need a sudden fitness programme because their owner is away.

Tell your sitter:

• normal walk duration
• normal routes
• pace
• whether stairs are involved
• where your dog normally rests
• whether they are reactive
• whether they struggle in particular weather
• whether they are ever allowed off lead

If twenty quiet minutes is normal, say twenty minutes.

Do not write “give him a good long walk” because you feel guilty about going away.

Keep senior walks familiar where possible

For many older dogs, familiar routes can be useful.

They know:

• the surfaces
• kerbs
• quieter streets
• places to toilet
• usual sniffing spots
• route home

This may be particularly important when eyesight or confidence has changed.

My dog walks for older dogs are built around the individual dog’s pace and normal local environment.

Explain how your dog recovers after exercise

Your sitter needs to know whether your dog is normally:

• slightly stiff
• very tired
• ready for another walk
• in need of several hours’ sleep

Tell them what is usual.

If your dog becomes considerably stiffer after a particular route or duration, the walk should be adjusted.

My Senior Dog Exercise and Enrichment Guide explains why recovery after the walk can be just as informative as behaviour during it.

Consider the weather

A senior dog may cope differently with hot, humid, cold, wet or icy conditions.

Leave your sitter permission to shorten or adapt the walk when necessary.

Safety matters more than completing a predetermined route.

My Extreme Weather Policy explains how I adapt professional walks when weather conditions make the normal arrangement inappropriate.

Leave familiar walking equipment

Do not buy a completely new harness the day before travelling.

If your dog has equipment that:

• fits comfortably
• is safe
• they understand
• you normally use

leave that equipment for the sitter.

Explain anything unusual about putting it on.

An older dog with reduced mobility should not spend their holiday learning how to navigate unfamiliar equipment unless a change is genuinely necessary.

Make the home easy to navigate

Before leaving, look around from your senior dog’s point of view.

Check:

• slippery floors
• loose rugs
• stairs
• bed access
• garden steps
• water access
• nighttime lighting
• clutter
• door thresholds

My guide to adapting your home for a senior dog covers these adjustments in more detail.

Do not remove useful mats or change the furniture immediately before travelling.

Do not tidy away things your dog relies on

It can be tempting to make the house look perfect for a sitter.

Be careful not to remove things your dog actually uses.

That slightly unattractive runner across the hall may give them grip.

The old blanket beside the sofa may be where they always sleep.

The water bowl in the bedroom may exist because stairs are becoming difficult.

A house sitter needs a functional home, not a show home.

Explain nighttime routines properly

Senior dogs can develop different sleep patterns.

Tell your sitter if your dog:

• wakes to toilet
• moves between beds
• sleeps in your bedroom
• becomes confused in darkness
• occasionally paces
• needs a light left on
• settles better with a particular routine

If a dog normally sleeps beside your bed, suddenly shutting them alone in another part of the house could be a significant change.

Agree sleeping arrangements before the booking.

Toileting needs can change with age

An older dog may need more frequent access outside.

They may also take longer to get there.

Tell your sitter:

• usual toilet times
• how your dog signals
• whether they occasionally have accidents
• whether they need nighttime access
• whether steps are difficult

Do not be embarrassed about accidents.

Honest information helps the sitter protect the dog’s comfort and your home.

What if your senior dog has cognitive changes?

Dogs experiencing confusion or cognitive changes may rely even more on predictable routines.

They may:

• pace
• become lost in familiar rooms
• wake at night
• stare at walls
• struggle with doors
• become anxious
• forget normal routines

Tell the sitter exactly what you have observed.

Dogs Trust recommends keeping the environment familiar for older dogs experiencing cognitive changes.

Read Dogs Trust advice about older dogs for further information.

Significant or new behavioural changes should also be discussed with your vet.

Tell your sitter about hearing loss

A dog who does not hear well can be easily startled.

Explain:

• whether your dog responds to voice
• hand signals they understand
• how you normally wake them
• whether they hear the doorbell
• whether recall is affected

Do not allow somebody unfamiliar with the dog to repeatedly touch them from behind while they are asleep.

Approach where the dog can see you.

Tell your sitter about eyesight changes

Reduced eyesight can affect:

• stairs
• garden access
• walking after dark
• unfamiliar routes
• furniture navigation

Keep bowls, beds and important furniture in their usual locations.

Tell the sitter if your dog needs additional lighting or should remain on a lead outdoors.

Enrichment should remain appropriate

You do not need to provide a packed entertainment schedule because you feel guilty about leaving your dog.

Older dogs often need plenty of rest.

Suitable enrichment might include:

• a simple food search
• sniffing on a walk
• an easy food toy
• gentle interaction
• quiet companionship

It should never require uncomfortable twisting, scrambling or repeated jumping.

My brain games for senior dogs and dogs on restricted exercise includes low-pressure ideas.

Do not introduce lots of new treats

A holiday is not the best time to discover that your senior dog’s stomach dislikes a new chew.

Leave:

• familiar food
• familiar treats
• clear quantities

If your dog is on a prescription diet, specify whether other food is allowed at all.

Grooming instructions can matter

If your dog needs regular:

• brushing
• eye cleaning
• ear care
• paw checks

Explain the normal routine.

Be honest if particular areas are sensitive.

An older dog who finds handling uncomfortable should not suddenly be subjected to an ambitious grooming session while you are away.

What I want to know before caring for a senior dog

When I am considering a house sit involving an older dog, I want to know more than their name and feeding time.

I want to know:

• how they normally move
• what their walk looks like
• when they need the toilet
• where they sleep
• whether they take medication
• how long they can comfortably be left
• what changes you have noticed recently
• what would make you want me to call you
• what would make you want me to call the vet

That information is not overprotective.

It helps me understand what normal looks like for your dog.

With an older dog, the small changes can matter.

Do a trial before a longer holiday if needed

If you are worried about how your dog will cope, consider a shorter trial arrangement before a two-week holiday.

Depending on the care being considered, this could mean:

• several walks with the sitter
• an evening visit
• a short house sit
• a trial medication visit

The aim is not to test your dog.

It is to make the eventual arrangement more familiar and to discover practical problems while you are still nearby.

Do not wait until the day before travelling

Senior-dog care can require more planning.

A suitable sitter may need to:

• meet the dog
• understand medication
• review the home
• check walking arrangements
• clarify emergencies
• confirm availability

Peak holiday periods can also fill early.

Start planning in good time.

Questions to ask a potential senior-dog sitter

Ask:

Will you be the person actually staying?

This matters if your dog benefits from one familiar person.

How long will my dog be left?

Get a clear answer.

Are you comfortable administering their medication?

Explain exactly what is involved.

What happens if my dog becomes ill?

The sitter should have an emergency plan.

Can you follow shorter or slower walks?

Senior walks should not be based on the sitter’s normal distance.

Will you care for other dogs at the same time?

Ask whether unfamiliar dogs are brought into the home or mixed on walks.

What happens if my return is delayed?

Make sure there is a plan.

What information do you need from me?

A professional sitter should ask questions.

Someone who wants almost no information about a complicated senior dog would concern me.

What should you leave for your senior dog’s sitter?

You can also use my broader Dog Staycation Packing Guide, but for an older dog I would make sure the following are covered.

Food

• enough for the complete stay
• extra for delays
• exact quantities
• treats
• dietary restrictions

Medication

• labelled medication
• clear written instructions
• extra supply
• veterinary details

Walking equipment

• harness or collar
• fixed-length lead
• coat if normally used
• towels

Comfort

• normal beds
• blankets
• familiar sleeping arrangements

Health information

• conditions
• mobility changes
• allergies
• pain-related behaviour
• sight or hearing changes

Emergency information

• vet
• emergency vet
• insurance
• your contact details
• local emergency contact

Household information

• keys
• alarms
• garden access
• heating or cooling instructions
• disclosed cameras
• emergency shut-offs if relevant

Should you leave a pet camera running?

If somebody is living in your house, all cameras and recording devices should be disclosed.

Do not secretly record a house sitter.

If you normally use a pet camera and want it left active, discuss:

• where it is
• what it records
• whether audio is recorded
• whether you can view it live

Indoor recording devices must also respect the sitter’s privacy.

This is covered in more detail on my House Sitting in Finchley page.

Updates while you are away

Discuss how often you would like updates.

For most owners, a photograph and useful message can be reassuring.

With a senior dog, I think a useful update is more than:

“He’s fine.”

It might include:

• ate normally
• medication given
• enjoyed a short walk
• toileted normally
• settled comfortably afterwards

If something has changed, I would rather tell you.

Try not to manage every minute from your holiday

Clear preparation before you leave should reduce the need for constant remote management.

Give the sitter:

• good instructions
• appropriate decision-making boundaries
• emergency contacts
• veterinary information

Then allow them to care for the dog.

An endless stream of messages can make an already detailed senior-care routine harder rather than safer.

When might house sitting not be enough?

There are circumstances where a standard pet sitter may not be the right person.

For example, a dog may need:

• complex clinical treatment
• continuous medical observation
• nursing procedures
• frequent professional assessment
• care that cannot safely be provided by the chosen sitter

In those circumstances, ask your veterinary practice about appropriate care options.

Animal welfare comes before trying to make a particular holiday arrangement work.

What if your dog’s health changes just before you travel?

Do not hide it from the sitter because you are worried they may cancel.

Tell them.

A new problem may alter:

• medication
• walks
• time alone
• toileting
• emergency arrangements
• whether the booking remains suitable

Your sitter needs the most current information.

If your dog becomes significantly unwell shortly before you travel, your vet should also advise whether the planned care arrangement remains appropriate.

House sitting for senior dogs in Finchley

[INSERT RELEVANT SERVICE CTA HERE]

I provide house sitting in Finchley and selected areas of North London for suitable dogs, cats and other household pets.

For an older dog, staying at home can mean keeping:

• their normal bed
• their familiar walking routes
• their usual garden
• their feeding routine
• their medication routine
• their normal household environment

I care for one house-sitting household at a time.

I do not bring unfamiliar dogs into your home and I do not add your dog to group walks.

Standard overnight house sitting and continuous care are different services, so it is important that you tell me honestly how long your senior dog can comfortably be left.

If you are considering care for an older dog, contact me about house sitting with:

• your postcode
• dates
• dog’s age
• normal routine
• mobility
• medication
• how long they can normally be left
• anything else you think I should know

You can also check my current house-sitting availability before enquiring.

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Related senior dog guides

For the wider picture of ageing, mobility, health and everyday routines, start with my Senior Dog Care Guide.

If you are noticing changes, read Is My Dog Just Getting Older? Signs Your Senior Dog May Be Slowing Down.

For home safety and mobility, see Adapting Your Home for a Senior Dog.

For food, medication, treats and appetite, read Senior Dog Nutrition.

For suitable walks and activity, read Senior Dog Exercise and Enrichment.

For movement changes and discomfort, read Helping Your Pet When Movement Causes Pain.

For emergency preparation, visit my Dog Health and First Aid Guide.

For general holiday preparation, use my Dog Staycation Packing Guide.

Frequently asked questions about senior dog holiday care

Is house sitting better than kennels for an old dog?

Not automatically. Some older dogs settle perfectly well in familiar kennels. Others benefit from remaining at home because of mobility, sensory changes, medication or reliance on familiar routines. Choose according to your individual dog.

Is it stressful for an older dog when their owner goes on holiday?

It can be for some dogs, while others cope very well. Familiar surroundings, predictable routines and an appropriate carer may make the change easier.

Can a pet sitter give my dog medication?

Some sitters can administer straightforward medication where this has been agreed and can be done safely. Discuss exactly what your dog needs before booking. Complex veterinary or nursing care may require a veterinary professional.

Should I leave extra medication?

Yes. Leave enough medication to cover the booking plus a reasonable amount for an unexpected delay. Keep it properly labelled and provide clear instructions.

What information does a senior dog’s sitter need?

They should know about feeding, medication, walks, toileting, mobility, sleeping arrangements, behaviour, eyesight, hearing, normal time alone, veterinary care and what changes would concern you.

How long can my senior dog be left during a house sit?

That depends entirely on the dog. Some older dogs remain comfortable for normal daytime periods. Others need frequent toilet breaks, medication or companionship. Tell your sitter what your dog currently manages rather than what they used to manage.

Should my senior dog have shorter walks while I am away?

They should have walks appropriate to their normal ability, health and veterinary advice. Do not increase exercise simply because the sitter has more time.

What if my dog’s health changes just before my holiday?

Tell the sitter immediately and seek veterinary advice where appropriate. A significant change may alter the care plan or mean the original arrangement is no longer suitable.

Should my senior dog meet the sitter beforehand?

Yes, wherever practical. A meet-and-greet allows the dog and sitter to become familiar and provides an opportunity to demonstrate routines, medication, movement and household arrangements.

Should I leave written instructions even if the sitter knows my dog?

Yes. Written information reduces misunderstandings and is particularly valuable for medication, emergency contacts and health details.

What if my return home is delayed?

Agree this in advance. Leave extra food and medication, provide emergency contacts and make sure the sitter knows what arrangement applies if your journey home changes unexpectedly.

Senior dog holiday-care checklist

Before travelling, check that you have:

• confirmed the care arrangement
• completed a meet-and-greet
• explained time alone
• written the daily routine
• measured food
• provided extra food
• labelled medication
• provided extra medication
• explained how medication is given
• supplied veterinary details
• supplied emergency-vet details
• supplied insurance information where relevant
• nominated a local emergency contact
• explained walking routes
• explained mobility issues
• discussed stairs and slippery floors
• described normal appetite
• described normal drinking
• explained toileting
• explained sleeping arrangements
• disclosed behavioural concerns
• explained sight or hearing changes
• left familiar walking equipment
• checked identification information
• agreed update frequency
• discussed veterinary emergencies
• provided plans for a delayed return

Then go away knowing you have done the important preparation.

Final thoughts

Going away when you have an elderly dog does require a little more thought.

That is not a reason to stop travelling.

It is a reason to plan well.

Look at the dog you have today.

Think about what has changed.

Choose the care arrangement around their current needs.

Leave clear instructions.

Make emergencies easier to manage before they happen.

And choose somebody who sees a slow walk, an extra toilet break or a carefully timed tablet as part of caring for the dog rather than an inconvenience.

For the wider picture of supporting your dog as they age, return to my Senior Dog Care Hub.

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Veterinary disclaimer: This guide provides general information about arranging holiday care for older dogs. It does not replace veterinary advice. If your senior dog’s health, mobility, behaviour, appetite, drinking, toileting or medication requirements change before or during a booking, seek appropriate veterinary advice. Complex clinical treatment and nursing procedures may require a veterinary professional or another suitably qualified person.