The dilemma of every senior dog owner
You've booked your vacation. Your dog is 13 years old. The question haunts you: should you take him or leave him? And if you leave him, where? And if you take him, will he survive the trip?
There is no universal answer. However, there are 6 clinical and behavioral signs to evaluate honestly to decide without guilt. Here’s the guide.
Sign 1: Overall health status
You can take him if:
- Recent veterinary visit (last month) was all good.
- Blood tests are normal.
- Heart, kidneys, liver are functioning well.
- Walks at least 30 minutes a day comfortably.
Leave him at home if:
- Diagnosed heart disease is progressing.
- Stage 2+ kidney failure.
- Insulin-dependent diabetes (necessity for precise daily injections).
- He is surviving a disease with unstable prognosis.
In cases of stable chronic conditions (arthritis, hypothyroidism, mild kidney failure), consult with the veterinarian: often travel is manageable with precautions.
Sign 2: Tolerance to travel
You can take him if:
- History of good tolerance to travel (car, train).
- Does not vomit, shake, or show anxiety in the car.
- Falls asleep calmly during long trips.
Leave him at home if:
- Every trip is a stressful event.
- Vomits repeatedly.
- Shakes, drools excessively.
- Refuses to get in the car, bites if forced.
At 13 years, developing a new tolerance for travel is difficult and cruel. It's not "a whim": it’s a physiological response to change, becoming increasingly rigid with age.
Sign 3: Flexibility to changes in routine
Senior dogs often develop behavioral rigidity: strict meal times, specific sleeping positions, unchangeable routines.
You can take him if:
- Adapts easily to new places.
- Eats even in different contexts.
- Sleeps in new locations without problems.
Leave him at home if:
- Does not eat if the bowl is changed.
- Stops defecating if the garden is changed.
- Shakes/barks in unfamiliar places.
- Lives a very routine life with minimal movement.
Stress from change, in a fragile dog, can trigger dormant conditions (stress-induced cystitis, stress diarrhea, heart under pressure).
Sign 4: Joint status
You can take him if:
- Walks confidently.
- Climbs stairs, overcomes obstacles.
- No assistive devices needed.
- Jumps into the car (even with a little push).
Leave him at home if:
- Evident difficulty in movements.
- Needs ramps at home to access couch/bed.
- Obvious pain during joint exam.
- Recent episodes of limb collapses or weakness.
A vacation involving a lot of walking can severely worsen advanced arthritis. Consider the option of a vacation in a "flat" area (beach, hillside agriturismo) suitable for seniors.
Sign 5: Mental (cognitive) stability
Senior dogs can develop canine cognitive syndrome (comparable to human dementia):
- Disorientation.
- Nighttime whining.
- Walking in circles.
- Fails to recognize family members or places.
You can take him if:
- Shows no cognitive symptoms.
- Always recognizes the environment.
- Solid memory.
Leave him at home if:
- Shows disorientation even at home.
- Gets lost in a familiar garden.
- Has restless nights.
- Does not recognize new places.
A dog with cognitive decline on vacation finds himself in a world he does not understand: extreme stress, worsening of symptoms, possible panic episodes.
Sign 6: Social temperament
You can take him if:
- Social with people and other dogs.
- Calm in noisy environments.
- Enjoys company.
Leave him at home if:
- Aggressive or fearful with strangers.
- Reacts poorly to dogs on the beach.
- Struggles in crowds.
- Prefers quiet environments.
Vacation = people, dogs, noise. For a social senior, it’s a party. For a reserved senior, it’s torment.
Alternatives: where to leave him
If the decision is "I'll leave him," here are the options:
1. Pet sitter at home (ideal).
- Cost: €30-50/day.
- Pros: dog stays in his own environment.
- Suitable for: all senior dogs, especially those that suffer from changes.
- Look for: Pawshake, DogBuddy, veterinarian recommendations.
2. Veterinary boarding (fragile dog).
- Cost: €25-40/day.
- Pros: continuous health monitoring, management of conditions.
- Suitable for: dogs with complex therapies, clinical instability.
3. Standard boarding.
- Cost: €15-30/day.
- Pros: safety, socialization, professional management.
- Check: environment, appropriate enclosures, staff size.
- Not recommended for very senior dogs: stress from a new environment.
4. Friends/relatives.
- Cost: free.
- Pros: familiar people.
- Check: they know how to handle any medical needs.
- Suitable if the dog is well adapted to that home.
How to prepare him to stay at home without you
Even if you leave him at home:
- Maintain routine: same times, food, walks.
- Leave your dirty clothes: familiar smell comforts him.
- Meet the pet sitter 2-3 times before your departure: familiarity.
- Recent documented veterinary visit.
- Useful numbers: vet, reference relative, yourself.
How to prepare him to come on vacation
If you take him:
- Pre-vacation veterinary check-up.
- Medications in sufficient quantity for the entire vacation (+10% for emergencies).
- Regular food in stock (abrupt change can trigger diarrhea).
- Secure travel carrier or harness for the trip.
- Veterinary contacts in the destination areas.
- Appropriate rhythms: short walks, shade, plenty of breaks.
The truth about guilt
Many owners take their senior dog "so as not to leave him" and end up causing stress for both the dog and themselves.
Leaving him at home with a good pet sitter, for a dog who loves routine, is not abandonment: it's taking care of his quality of life.
And upon your return, you'll find your best friend rested, calm, and happy to see you. This too is a wonderful vacation for him.
The final decision
Ask yourself these questions in order:
- Is the dog healthy and stable? If not → leave him.
- Does he tolerate traveling? If not → leave him.
- Is he flexible to changes? If not → leave him.
- Does he walk without pain? If not → suitable vacation (flat) or leave him.
- Is his mind clear? If not → leave him (with a trusted sitter).
- Is he social? If yes and all else is fine → take him.
Three negative answers out of six = leave him at home with a good service. Four or more positive = take him, with all necessary precautions.
There is no morally "right" choice: there is only the best choice for your specific dog. Listen to him, and he will tell you what he prefers.
