Older dogs are brilliant at hiding things. A little extra thirst, a pound or two of lost muscle, a kidney value creeping upwards: none of it shows on the outside until it is well under way. That is why a senior health check looks rather different from the quick jab-and-weigh visit of their younger years.
If your dog has reached their senior years (if you are not sure, our guide on when a dog is considered senior covers it in one read), this guide walks you through what a proper senior check should include, what it typically costs in the UK, how to prepare, and the questions worth asking while you are in the consulting room.
Joint Support Alongside Senior Checks: How the Options Compare
Joint stiffness is one of the most common things a vet picks up at a senior check, so many owners leave the appointment wondering which joint supplement is worth buying. Here is how the main UK options stack up.
MedPaw is our own brand, so every row below comes from each manufacturer's published ingredient list, and you are welcome to check them yourself.
MedPaw is the only one of the six with all six key joint actives
| Ingredient | MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max | NutraPaw Joint Support | YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max | Seraquin Joint | Synoquin EFA | Nutraquin+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key joint actives | 6 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 (+1 via mussel) | 2 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Glucosamine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chondroitin | ✓ | ✗ | Via mussel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSM | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Green-lipped mussel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hyaluronic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Boswellia | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Omega-3 | Mussel, flax | Mussel | Mussel, fish oil | ✗ | Krill oil | ✗ |
| Turmeric | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Collagen | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Antioxidants | Vit C, Vit E, zinc | Manganese | Vit C, Vit E, manganese | ✗ | Vit C, zinc | Vit C, zinc |
| Format | Soft chew | Tablet | Tablet | Chewable tablet | Tablet or capsule | Capsule |
| Guarantee | 60 days | 90 days | 6 weeks | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
✓ = included, ✗ = not listed. Key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia. Taken from each manufacturer's published information, September 2026.
A senior check often shows that more than one part of the joint needs attention: cartilage, joint fluid and the muscles that hold everything steady. MedPaw is the only product of the six that brings all six key joint actives together, so your dog gets that wider support in one daily chew rather than a cupboard full of tubs.
It also helps that it is a soft chew. Older dogs with worn teeth often refuse hard tablets, and a supplement only helps if it gets eaten.
See MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max, backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
How Often Should a Senior Dog Have a Health Check?
Most UK vets recommend a check every six months once a dog is senior, rather than once a year. A University of Liverpool study funded by BSAVA PetSavers found a clear gap here: most owners thought a healthy senior dog only needed an annual visit, while vets typically recommended six-monthly checks. The same study found that 78% of owners regarded slowing down on walks as simply normal ageing, even though it can point to pain or illness.
Six months is a long time in an older dog's life. Twice-yearly checks catch changes while they are small, and a series of results shows a trend, which is far more useful than a single snapshot.
What a Senior Health Check Should Include
Practices run senior clinics differently, and some are nurse-led with a vet reviewing results. A thorough check usually covers the following.
What a senior dog health check usually covers
| Check | What it involves | What it can pick up |
|---|---|---|
| History and questionnaire | Questions on thirst, appetite, toileting, sleep, behaviour and exercise | Subtle changes owners notice before anything shows on tests |
| Nose-to-tail examination | Heart and lungs, abdomen, skin, lumps, lymph nodes, ears | Heart murmurs, new lumps, skin and ear problems |
| Weight, body and muscle condition | Weighing plus body condition and muscle condition scoring | Weight gain, weight loss, muscle wastage over the back and hips |
| Blood tests | Haematology and biochemistry, sometimes thyroid | Kidney and liver changes, anaemia, raised glucose, hormonal disease |
| Urine test | Concentration, protein, glucose | Early kidney changes, diabetes, urinary infection |
| Blood pressure | Non-invasive cuff on a leg or tail | High blood pressure, often linked to kidney or hormonal disease |
| Joint and mobility check | Watching your dog walk, feeling and flexing each joint | Arthritis, reduced range of movement, pain on handling |
| Mouth and eyes | Teeth, gums, eye clarity and response | Dental disease, cataracts, other eye changes |
For guidance only. Your vet will decide which tests suit your dog.
Blood Tests
A routine senior blood panel usually includes haematology (red and white blood cells and platelets) and biochemistry, which looks at the kidneys, liver, glucose, proteins and electrolytes. Many labs now add SDMA, a marker that can flag reduced kidney function earlier than creatinine alone. Vet Times, summarising the 2023 AAHA senior care guidelines, notes that research has found around 20% of apparently healthy senior dogs had changes linked to liver, kidney or electrolyte problems. Your vet may also test thyroid function if your dog has gained weight, lost energy or developed coat changes.
Urine Test
Urine is cheap to test and very informative. Dilute urine can be an early hint of kidney changes, protein can signal kidney damage, and glucose can point towards diabetes. If your dog has been drinking much more water than usual, a urine sample is especially important.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is measured with a small inflatable cuff, much like yours at the GP. High blood pressure in dogs is usually secondary to kidney or hormonal disease, and it can damage the eyes, heart and kidneys. Nerves push readings up, so several readings in a calm room give the most reliable result.
Weight, Body and Muscle Condition
Weight alone does not tell the whole story. Your vet should also give a body condition score, usually on a 9-point scale where 4 to 5 is ideal, and a muscle condition score, based on the muscle over the spine, shoulders and hips. An older dog can hold the same weight while swapping muscle for fat, and losing muscle matters because it is what stabilises the joints. If your dog is carrying extra weight, our guide on obesity and joint health explains why it matters so much.
Joint and Mobility Assessment
A good mobility check starts with watching your dog walk and turn, then gently feeling and flexing each joint for heat, swelling, grating or a reduced range of movement. Short phone videos of your dog getting up or climbing steps help a lot, because many dogs walk perfectly in the consulting room on a burst of adrenaline.
Teeth and Eyes
Dental disease is very common in older dogs, and the same Liverpool study found dental tartar among the most frequently reported signs in senior dogs. Your vet will look for tartar, sore gums, loose teeth and mouth lumps, then check the eyes: a bluish haze can be normal lens ageing, but cataracts or dry eye need attention.
How Much Does a Senior Dog Health Check Cost in the UK?
Prices vary widely by practice and region, and by how much is included. As examples from UK practices' own published prices, Chipping Norton Vets lists a wellness screen covering examination, history, urine test, blood pressure and blood tests at £85, while Thrums Vet Group lists a senior wellness package with nurse consultation, urine, bloods and blood pressure at £150 if bought on its own, reduced for health plan members. Many practices discount senior screens through monthly health plans, so it is worth asking. Follow-up tests or x-rays cost extra.
How to Prepare for the Appointment
- Ask about fasting. Some practices prefer a short fast before blood tests. Never withhold water, and check first if your dog is diabetic or on medication.
- Bring a urine sample. A first-morning sample in a clean pot (ask the practice for one) is ideal.
- Write down changes. Note thirst, appetite, toileting, sleep, stiffness and any lumps, with rough dates.
- Film the problem. A short clip of your dog rising from bed or tackling the stairs beats any description.
- List everything they take. Medicines, supplements, parasite treatments and diet, with brand names and amounts.
Questions to Ask Your Vet
- What are my dog's body and muscle condition scores, and what should we aim for?
- Are any blood or urine results borderline, and when should we recheck them?
- Does my dog show any signs of joint pain, and which joints are affected?
- Would pain relief help, and is a joint supplement suitable alongside it?
- How often would you like to see them, and what should prompt an earlier visit?
Our guide to signs your senior dog is healthy is a handy companion for keeping an eye on things between appointments.
Where Joint Support Fits In
If the check shows early stiffness, your vet may suggest weight management, controlled exercise and, where needed, pain relief. A daily joint supplement can sit alongside that plan as nutritional support. It does not replace pain relief or treat arthritis.
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a soft chew complementary feed containing glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata, with omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, plus vitamins C and E and zinc. Dogs up to 4kg have 1 chew a day, 5 to 17kg have 2, and 18kg and over have 2 to 3, doubled for the first three weeks. Allow 2 to 3 months for optimal results, so your next check is a good moment to compare mobility. If your dog has a medical condition or takes medication, check with your vet first. Our round-up of the best joint supplements for senior dogs goes into more detail on choosing one.
When to See Your Vet Sooner
Do not wait for the next routine check if you notice any of the following:
- Drinking or urinating noticeably more, or accidents in the house
- Weight loss you cannot explain, or a sudden loss of appetite
- Limping, yelping when touched, or reluctance to walk or get up
- Vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than a day, or any blood
- A new lump, or an existing lump that changes quickly
- Breathing changes, collapse, sudden blindness or confusion, which need urgent care
How often should my senior dog have a health check?
Most UK vets recommend every six months for senior dogs, rather than once a year. Twice-yearly checks let your vet spot changes early and compare results over time. Dogs with an existing condition may need more frequent monitoring.
Does my dog need blood tests if they seem perfectly well?
Yes, that is the point of screening. Early kidney, liver and hormonal changes often cause no outward signs, and a baseline makes future results easier to interpret.
Should my dog fast before a senior blood test?
Some practices prefer a short fast before blood tests, while others do not mind. Ask when you book. Never withhold water, and always check with your vet first if your dog is diabetic or on regular medication.
How much does a senior dog health check cost in the UK?
It varies by practice and by what is included. Published UK examples range from around £85 to £150 for a screen with examination, blood tests, urine test and blood pressure, and many practices discount it through monthly health plans.
Should I start a joint supplement before or after the check?
Ideally mention it at the check, especially if your dog has a medical condition or takes medication. Your vet can confirm it suits your dog, and the mobility assessment gives you a baseline to compare against next time.
