Choosing the right care for an older dog in Finchley and North London

Updated September 2026

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

Perhaps your dog once happily stayed in kennels but now finds unfamiliar places more difficult.

Maybe their walks have become shorter, they need medication at particular times, they need more opportunities to go outside or they take longer to get comfortable after resting.

You may also have started wondering whether moving them somewhere else for your holiday is necessary at all.

There isn’t one holiday-care arrangement that is right for every senior dog.

The important thing is to choose care around the dog you have now, rather than automatically repeating what worked five years ago.

For some older dogs, that can mean staying at home with a live-in house sitter who follows their familiar routine.

This guide explains the main options, what to consider before booking and how my House Sitting in Finchley and North London service can help suitable senior dogs remain at home while you are away.

Senior dog holiday care at a glance

Consideration	What to think about
Familiarity	Does your dog still cope comfortably with unfamiliar places?
Mobility	Can they manage different floors, steps and sleeping arrangements?
Exercise	Have their walks become shorter or slower?
Medication	Does anything need to be given at particular times?
Toileting	Do they need more frequent access outside?
Time alone	How long are they genuinely comfortable being left now?
Overnight needs	Do they sleep through or need help during the night?
Veterinary care	What should happen if their health changes while you are away?
Length of holiday	Would a trial be sensible before a long booking?
Home environment	Would maintaining their familiar routine reduce unnecessary change?

Age itself does not determine the answer.

A healthy 12-year-old may cope with change extremely well, while another dog of the same age may have mobility, sensory or medical needs that make familiar surroundings particularly valuable.

Why holiday care can change as your dog gets older

A dog who happily went to kennels, travelled with you or stayed with relatives when they were six may need something different at 12, 14 or 16.

Ageing can bring changes in:

Mobility
Hearing
Eyesight
Confidence
Sleep
Toileting
Appetite
Medication
Temperature tolerance
Recovery after exercise
Ability to cope alone
Ability to navigate unfamiliar places

Some changes happen so gradually that it’s easy to overlook them.

Perhaps your dog now pauses before using the stairs.

Maybe they sleep much more deeply during the day.

They might need a shorter evening walk or want to go into the garden more frequently.

Small changes matter when somebody else is taking over their care.

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

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

Broadly, your options may include:

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 universal best option.

Consider your dog’s health, temperament, mobility, and established routine.

A confident older dog who has used the same kennels for years and settles happily there may have no reason to stop.

Another dog may find travel, unfamiliar dogs, different flooring, changed sleeping arrangements and a new environment increasingly difficult.

The Blue Cross provides useful guidance on choosing between kennels, sitters and other holiday-care arrangements.

House sitting for senior dogs

House sitting lets your dog stay in the environment they already understand while someone comes to stay with them.

They can keep their:

Own bed
Familiar smells
Normal feeding area
Usual water bowls
Garden
Local walking routes
Household sounds
Familiar resting places
Normal sleeping arrangements

For some senior dogs, removing the need to adapt to another environment is one of the biggest advantages of house sitting.

My house-sitting service is particularly suitable for pets who benefit from routine, including senior, rescue, nervous, and reactive dogs.

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

I do not bring unfamiliar dogs into your home and your dog is not placed into group walks.

Read about House Sitting in Finchley and North London

When staying at home may particularly suit an older dog

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

Has reduced mobility
Has arthritis or stiffness
Has reduced eyesight
Has hearing loss
Finds unfamiliar places confusing
Needs medication at particular times
Needs more frequent toilet opportunities
Sleeps in a particular location
Relies on non-slip routes through the home
Becomes unsettled in unfamiliar environments
Is nervous around other dogs
Has cognitive changes
Needs substantial rest after exercise

That does not mean house sitting is automatically appropriate.

Someone still needs to provide it and meet your dog’s actual needs.

Dogs Trust’s advice about caring for older dogs also discusses the importance of adapting routines and the environment as dogs age.

What about an older dog with arthritis?

Arthritis is a good example of why familiar surroundings can matter.

A dog may know exactly how to navigate their own home.

They know where the steps are, which floors provide good grip, where their water is and where they can comfortably rest.

Their normal walk may also have evolved around what they can comfortably manage.

Holiday care should not suddenly mean trying to make them behave like a younger dog.

During a suitable house sit, I can follow the walking and care routine you have agreed for your dog.

That might mean:

Shorter walks
A slower pace
More time sniffing
More garden opportunities
Additional rest
Allowing more time to stand up
Avoiding unnecessary stairs
Following established medication instructions
Using familiar enrichment rather than strenuous exercise

I do not diagnose arthritis or change veterinary treatment.

New or worsening mobility problems should be discussed with your vet.

The PDSA’s information about arthritis in dogs provides further veterinary guidance.

Senior dogs do not necessarily need long walks

One advantage of individual care is that your dog’s walk doesn’t have to match somebody else’s timetable or distance.

An older dog’s walk might involve slowly exploring familiar streets and spending plenty of time sniffing.

Another day, a shorter toilet walk may be more appropriate.

I don’t believe in dragging an older dog around a predetermined route simply because a particular distance was planned.

I take into account:

Your dog’s established routine
Mobility
Health
Weather
Energy
Behaviour
Your instructions
Veterinary restrictions you have been given

Read my guide to Senior Dog Exercise and Enrichment.

Standard house sitting versus continuous care

This is one of the most important things to understand when arranging holiday care for a senior dog.

House sitting does not automatically mean somebody remains beside your dog 24 hours a day.

Standard overnight house sitting

My standard house-sitting service is £60 per night.

I stay overnight in your home and follow the care routine we have agreed.

During the day I may leave to walk my established regular dog-walking clients, carry out agreed pet visits, shop, attend an appointment or deal with normal personal activities.

Under standard care, I may be away for up to four continuous hours unless we have agreed a shorter period.

Many senior dogs are perfectly comfortable with this.

Continuous house sitting

Some older dogs cannot comfortably manage those normal daytime absences.

They might need:

Very frequent toilet opportunities
Closely timed medication
More regular mobility assistance
Additional observation
More frequent human presence
A much shorter maximum period alone

Continuous house sitting is available separately at £100 per night.

We discuss any permitted short absences before the booking.

See current House Sitting and Pet Care prices.

How long can your senior dog actually be left?

Do not base this on what your dog managed several years ago.

Think about what happens now.

Ask yourself:

Do they sleep comfortably while you are out?
Do they need to go out more often?
Has their toileting changed?
Do they become confused?
Are they unsettled when they wake, and nobody is there?
Has their medication changed?
Do they struggle to stand without assistance?
Have they become more anxious when alone?

Tell your sitter what genuinely happens.

The aim isn’t to prove that your dog can manage standard house sitting.

It is to arrange the level of care they actually need.

Medication during holiday care

Many senior dogs have established medication routines.

Your sitter needs to know exactly what is involved before accepting the booking.

Provide:

Medication name
Dose
Administration time
How it is normally given
Original labelled packaging where possible
Written instructions
Known relevant side effects
What your vet has told you to do if a dose is refused or vomited
Enough medication for the holiday
Additional medication for a possible travel delay

I may be able to provide straightforward medication support where it falls within my experience and your dog accepts it safely.

I do not diagnose conditions, alter prescribed doses or replace veterinary or veterinary-nursing care.

Complex clinical treatment may require an appropriately qualified veterinary professional.

Arrange a meet-and-greet before your holiday

For an older dog, a meet-and-greet is particularly useful.

It allows me to see:

How your dog moves
How quickly they stand after resting
How they manage steps
How they access the garden
Where they sleep
Their walking equipment
Where medication is kept
How they respond to me
Any potential difficulties around the home

It also gives your dog an opportunity to meet me while you are still there.

A nervous or particularly sensitive dog may benefit from more than one introduction.

For a longer holiday, we may decide that additional familiarisation is sensible before the main booking.

Planning a two or three-week holiday with a senior dog

Longer bookings deserve additional planning.

If you are arranging three weeks away for a 14-year-old dog, for example, I would want a clear understanding of:

Their current health
Mobility
Medication
Eating and drinking
Normal toileting
Exercise
Sleeping arrangements
Night-time requirements
Behaviour
How long they can be left
Veterinary details
Emergency contacts
What is normal for them
What would concern you

I would also want to know about apparently small details.

For example, your dog may always need the garden immediately after waking.

Maybe they are stiff for the first few minutes after sleeping.

Perhaps they have stopped using the stairs.

Those details help me distinguish their normal routine from something that may need attention.

What if you are booking a year ahead?

This is particularly relevant with elderly dogs.

You might arrange holiday care when your dog is 13, but they will be 14 by the time you actually travel.

Their needs could change during that period.

That does not mean you shouldn’t book ahead. Longer summer house sits can require considerable advance planning.

It means the care arrangement should be reviewed closer to the holiday.

Tell me if there has been a meaningful change in:

Mobility
Medication
Continence
Sight
Hearing
Cognitive function
Night-time behaviour
Exercise
Appetite
Time they can comfortably spend alone
General health

A change does not automatically mean the booking cannot go ahead.

It may mean the care plan needs updating or that continuous rather than standard house sitting has become more appropriate.

In some circumstances, your dog’s care requirements may have moved beyond what I can safely provide.

Their welfare has to come before trying to make an old booking arrangement fit new circumstances.

Make your home easy for your senior dog

Before you travel, look around your home from your dog’s point of view.

Check:

Slippery floors
Loose rugs
Stairs
Bed access
Garden steps
Water access
Night-time lighting
Door thresholds
Clutter

Don’t suddenly remove things your dog relies upon because you are tidying for the sitter.

That old runner across the hall may provide essential grip.

The extra water bowl upstairs may be there because your dog no longer wants to use the stairs repeatedly.

The bed beside the radiator may be where they settle every afternoon.

Familiarity is part of the care plan.

Read Adapting Your Home for a Senior Dog.

Leave clear veterinary and emergency information

Before travelling, your sitter should know:

Your usual veterinary practice
Your preferred emergency veterinary provider
Relevant medical history
Current medication
Pet-insurance information
How veterinary bills will be handled
Your contact details while away
A local emergency contact
Who can make decisions if you cannot be reached

Your local emergency contact should ideally know your dog and be able to reach the property.

For an older dog, also explain what normal looks like.

Tell me what would make you want me to contact you and what would make you want me to contact your vet.

Those details can be extremely useful when something changes.

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

Tell your sitter.

Don’t hide a change because you are worried that it might affect the booking.

A new health problem could change:

Medication
Exercise
Toileting
Time alone
Overnight care
Emergency arrangements
Whether the existing booking remains appropriate

If your dog becomes significantly unwell shortly before you travel, speak to your vet about whether your planned holiday-care arrangement remains suitable.

What about kennels or home boarding?

House sitting isn’t the only possible choice.

A senior dog who has always enjoyed a particular boarding kennel may continue to be perfectly happy there.

Similarly, some dogs enjoy staying in another person’s home.

Look at the individual dog rather than assuming that one type of care is inherently better.

Consider:

Noise
Other animals
Flooring
Sleeping arrangements
Exercise
Medication
Toilet opportunities
Temperature
Travel
Familiarity
Access to veterinary care

If you use commercial home boarding in England, check that the provider holds the appropriate local-authority licence.

Also ask about insurance, emergency procedures, other dogs and how your dog’s individual routine will be managed.

Should you take your senior dog on holiday with you?

Sometimes that is a lovely option.

But consider the holiday from your dog’s perspective rather than assuming they will be happier simply because they are with you.

Think about:

Journey length
Heat
Stairs
Unfamiliar accommodation
Flooring
Sleeping arrangements
Exercise
Access to veterinary care
Medication storage
How much rest they will get

For some senior dogs, staying in their familiar home with somebody they know can be considerably less disruptive.

Questions to ask a senior-dog sitter

Before booking, ask:

Will you be the person actually staying?

This can matter a lot for a dog that relies on familiarity and predictable handling.

How long will my dog be left?

Get a clear answer rather than assuming that “house sitting” means continuous presence.

Are you comfortable with my dog’s medication?

Explain exactly what is involved.

Can you follow shorter or slower walks?

An older dog’s walk should be based on their needs, not the sitter’s usual distance.

What happens if my dog becomes ill?

There should be a clear emergency plan.

Will unfamiliar dogs be brought into my home?

Ask how other animals are managed.

What happens if my return is delayed?

Make arrangements before travelling.

What information do you need from me?

A professional sitter should want to understand your dog’s routine.

Someone accepting a complicated senior dog without asking meaningful questions would concern me.

Cameras and senior-dog monitoring

Pet cameras can be useful for some older dogs, but if somebody is living in your home, all cameras and recording devices must be disclosed.

Tell your sitter:

Where they are
Whether they record sound
Whether footage is stored
Whether you can view them live
Whether they can be activated remotely

Indoor recording must also respect the sitter’s privacy.

My House Sitting in Finchley and North London page explains my camera and home-security arrangements in more detail.

Updates while you are away

Regular updates can be particularly reassuring when you have left an elderly dog at home.

For a senior dog, a useful update is more than simply:

“Everything is fine.”

Depending on the dog, I may update you about:

Eating
Drinking
Medication
Toileting
Walks
Mobility
Settling
Behaviour
Anything meaningfully different from normal

Photographs and short videos can also be included where appropriate.

I won’t force an older or nervous dog to pose for a photograph simply to produce an update.

House sitting for senior dogs in Finchley and North London

I provide house sitting for suitable senior dogs in Finchley, Muswell Hill, Highgate, Whetstone and selected nearby parts of North London.

My approach is deliberately individual.

I have provided professional dog walking and pet care since 2011.

Your dog stays in their own home.

I don’t transport them elsewhere in a van.

I don’t bring unfamiliar dogs into the property.

I don’t add them to group walks.

Instead, I follow the routine we agree around your individual dog.

If you are considering house sitting for an older dog, please tell me:

Your postcode
Dates
Dog’s age and breed
Current mobility
Normal exercise
Medication
How long they can comfortably be left
Night-time requirements
Relevant health conditions
Any behavioural or handling concerns

For a future booking, tell me what your dog needs now. We can review the care plan again closer to the holiday if their needs change.

Contact me about house sitting for your senior dog

Read the full House Sitting service page

View current pet-care prices

For more help with caring for an older dog, you may also find these useful:

Frequently asked questions about senior dog holiday care

Is house sitting better than kennels for an old dog?

Not automatically.

Some older dogs continue to enjoy kennels they know well. Others benefit from avoiding travel, unfamiliar dogs and a different environment.

Choose according to your individual dog’s current needs.

Can you house sit a dog with arthritis?

Potentially, yes.

I need to understand your dog’s mobility, normal exercise, medication and any assistance they require.

I follow the care instructions and veterinary plan you provide. I do not diagnose or treat arthritis.

Can you stay with my senior dog for two or three weeks?

Potentially, subject to availability, location and your dog’s needs.

Longer bookings should be discussed well in advance.

Will you stay with my dog all day?

Standard house sitting does not provide continuous 24-hour presence.

Under my standard service, I may leave for periods of up to four continuous hours unless we have agreed a shorter maximum.

Continuous care is available separately for dogs who cannot comfortably manage normal daytime absences.

Can you give my senior dog medication?

Straightforward medication may be possible where it has been agreed beforehand, falls within my experience and your dog accepts it safely.

Complex clinical or nursing care may require an appropriately qualified professional.

My dog needs to go outside during the night. Is that a problem?

Not necessarily.

Tell me what actually happens.

An occasional night-time toilet break is very different from a dog requiring repeated or intensive overnight nursing care.

Should I leave extra medication?

Yes.

Leave enough prescribed medication for the planned stay plus an appropriate amount for a possible delay in your return.

Keep it in properly labelled packaging and provide clear written instructions.

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

Their exercise should reflect their normal current needs and any veterinary advice you have been given.

A holiday is not the time to suddenly increase an older dog’s exercise.

Should my senior dog meet the sitter beforehand?

Yes, wherever practical.

A meet-and-greet allows your dog and sitter to become familiar and gives you an opportunity to demonstrate movement, medication, routines and household arrangements.

Some dogs may benefit from additional familiarisation.

What if my dog’s health changes between booking and travelling?

Tell me.

For a booking made many months ahead, I would expect us to review significant changes.

The care plan can then be adjusted where appropriate.

What if my return home is delayed?

Agree this beforehand.

Leave additional food and medication and make sure there is an emergency contact and a clear plan for unexpected travel disruption.

Senior dog holiday-care checklist

Before travelling, make sure you have:

Confirmed the care arrangement
Completed the meet-and-greet
Explained how long your dog can comfortably be left
Provided a written daily routine
Supplied enough food
Supplied additional food for a possible delay
Clearly labelled medication
Supplied additional medication
Explained how medication is normally given
Provided your veterinary details
Provided emergency-vet information
Provided insurance information where relevant
Nominated a local emergency contact
Explained normal walking routes
Explained mobility difficulties
Discussed stairs and slippery floors
Explained normal appetite and drinking
Explained toileting
Explained sleeping arrangements
Disclosed behavioural or handling concerns
Explained sight or hearing changes
Left familiar walking equipment
Checked identification information
Agreed how often you want updates
Discussed veterinary emergencies
Made a plan for a delayed return

Good preparation means you can go away knowing your sitter understands not just that your dog is older, but what being older actually means for your individual dog.

Looking for holiday care for your senior dog?

If your older dog would be happier staying in their familiar North London home while you are away, tell me about them.

I am particularly interested in their normal routine, mobility, medication, how long they can comfortably be left and anything that has changed recently.

From there, I can tell you whether my standard house-sitting service, continuous care or another arrangement is likely to meet the care requirements you describe.

Contact Del about senior dog house sitting

House Sitting in Finchley and North London

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