Free Senior Dog Health Record Template
By Sarah Bennett · Last updated May 23, 2026 · 10 min read
A senior dog's health changes faster than memory does. By the time you sit down at the vet visit and try to recall when she stopped jumping onto the couch, or how many weeks the appetite has been off, or what dose she was on three months ago, the details have already softened. A simple health record solves this. It does not need to be fancy. It needs to exist.
This senior dog health record template is a free, AAHA-aligned tracking framework built around what veterinarians actually ask about at senior wellness visits, vaccinations, medications, weight, vet visit notes, weekly quality-of-life scoring, and emergency contacts. Below are the seven sections and the full template as printable tables. You can print this page, copy the structure into Google Sheets or Notion, or fill it in by hand in a notebook. The format matters less than the consistency.
We're not veterinarians; what follows is built from the 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines, Dr. Alice Villalobos's HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale, and standard veterinary record practice. If you are tracking quality of life for a serious illness or end-of-life consideration, our Quality of Life Scale guide and hospice care at home guide cover the deeper context.
Why a Senior Dog Health Record Template Matters
The 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines recommend wellness exams every six months for dogs aged 7 and older, with a full blood and urine workup at least annually and often twice yearly. The reason is mechanical: conditions that develop slowly in older dogs, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, Cushing's, early cognitive decline, joint changes, are most treatable when caught in their first inflection point, which is exactly when the changes are subtle enough to miss without a record.
A health record does three things a memory cannot:
- It catches gradual change. Weight loss of 1 lb a month is invisible in person; logged monthly, it is a trend.
- It improves vet visits. Instead of "she's been off for a while," you can say "appetite dropped on April 14, dose change on April 21 made no difference, weight down 0.8 lb since March 1." That is the conversation that gets to a diagnosis faster.
- It supports the hard decisions. For senior dogs in late-life care, the Villalobos HHHHHMM weekly score makes quality of life a number you can look at, not a feeling that varies day to day.
The template below is structured around what AAHA and most veterinary practices ask owners to track. Adapt it to your dog's specific situation, a dog with chronic kidney disease will want more frequent weight and water-intake tracking; a dog with cognitive decline will want behavioral notes.
How to Use This Template
Three formats:
- Print this page, your browser's Print function will render the tables below as clean printable pages. Hole-punch and put it in a binder.
- Copy to Google Sheets, Notion, or Excel, each section below maps to a sheet/page tab. The advantage is sharing it with your vet by link.
- Hand-write in a notebook, for households without printer or cloud setup, a small binder notebook with the section headings written on tabs works fine.
Frequency:
- Sections 1 to 2 (Identification, Vaccinations), update when something changes
- Section 3 (Medications), update at each new prescription or dose change
- Section 4 (Vet Visits), every visit
- Section 5 (Weekly QoL), once a week, ideally the same day
- Section 6 (Daily Notes), only when something is changing (you don't need a daily entry forever)
- Section 7 (Emergency Contacts), fill once, update when phone numbers change
The 7-Section Senior Dog Health Record Template
Section 1: Identification
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Dog's name | |
| Breed | |
| Date of birth | |
| Sex (M / F / spayed / neutered) | |
| Color and distinguishing marks | |
| Current weight | |
| Microchip number | |
| Pet insurance company + policy number | |
| Primary veterinary clinic |
Section 2: Vaccination Record
| Vaccine | Date Given | Next Due | Lot # | Veterinarian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies | ||||
| DHPP (Distemper / Hepatitis / Parvo / Parainfluenza) | ||||
| Bordetella | ||||
| Leptospirosis | ||||
| Lyme | ||||
| Other |
Section 3: Current Medications and Supplements
| Medication / Supplement | Dose | Frequency | Start Date | Reason | Prescribing Vet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Section 4: Vet Visit Log
| Date | Reason for Visit | Veterinarian | Findings / Diagnosis | Treatment / Rx | Cost | Follow-up Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Section 5: Weekly Quality of Life Check (HHHHHMM)
The HHHHHMM scale was developed by veterinary oncologist Dr. Alice Villalobos and is the most widely used quality-of-life tool in veterinary medicine. Score each factor 0 (worst) to 10 (best) once a week, ideally the same day. Total scores above 35 generally suggest acceptable quality of life; below 35 suggests comfort is slipping.
| Date | Hurt (pain controlled?) | Hunger (eating enough?) | Hydration (drinking enough?) | Hygiene (clean, dry?) | Happiness (interest, response?) | Mobility (can move?) | More good days than bad? | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
For the full HHHHHMM framework and how to interpret scores over time, see our Quality of Life Scale guide.
Section 6: Daily Observations Log (optional)
Use this section only when something is actively changing, appetite shifting, new behavior, post-surgery recovery, hospice care. You do not need a daily entry forever.
| Date | Appetite (full / partial / none) | Activity Level | Sleep Quality | Pain Signs (none / mild / breakthrough) | Mood / Behavior Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Section 7: Emergency Contacts
| Contact | Name / Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary veterinarian | ||
| After-hours emergency vet | Address: | |
| In-home hospice vet (if applicable) | ||
| Pet poison control: ASPCA Animal Poison Control | (888) 426-4435 | $95 consult fee |
| Pet Loss Hotline (ASPCA) | (877) 474-3310 | |
| Cornell Pet Loss Support Hotline | cornell.edu/pet-loss-support | |
| Pet insurance claims line | Policy #: |
A Sample Filled Entry (For Reference)
Below is what a partial filled record might look like for a hypothetical 11-year-old Labrador named "Lucy":
Identification:
- Name: Lucy
- Breed: Labrador Retriever
- DOB: 2015-03-12
- Sex: Female, spayed
- Current weight: 62.5 lb
- Microchip: 985112003459217
Vaccinations (recent):
- Rabies, 2025-04-10, Next due 2028-04-10
- DHPP, 2025-04-10, Next due 2028-04-10
Current Medications:
- Carprofen 75 mg, twice daily, start 2024-09-15, Reason: hip arthritis, Dr. Chen
- Omega-3 fish oil 1000 mg, once daily, start 2024-11-01, Reason: joint/coat, Owner-purchased (not Rx)
- Cosequin DS, 1 tablet daily, start 2024-09-15, Reason: joint, Owner-purchased (not Rx)
Vet Visit Log (most recent):
- 2026-04-22, Annual senior wellness, Dr. Chen, Weight 62.5 (down from 64.0 in Oct), bloodwork pending, N/A pending, $185, Follow up on bloodwork in 1 week
Weekly QoL (most recent 4 weeks):
| Date | Hurt | Hunger | Hydration | Hygiene | Happiness | Mobility | More good? | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-21 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 54 |
| 2026-04-28 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 53 |
| 2026-05-05 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 48 |
| 2026-05-12 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 46 |
What the numbers say about Lucy: scores still above 35 (acceptable quality of life), but the trend is downward, Hurt, Hunger, Happiness, and Mobility are all declining together. This is the conversation worth having with the vet now, while there is still time to adjust the pain plan, check the bloodwork, and intervene before scores reach the low-30s.
This is the exact pattern the HHHHHMM scale was designed to surface, trends over time, not single-day intensity.
Digital Alternatives to a Paper Template
Several digital tools work well alongside (or instead of) a printed template. None are required; the printed version above is sufficient if that fits your household.
- Google Sheets / Google Docs. Free, sharable with your vet by link, accessible from your phone at the appointment. The seven sections above map directly to seven tabs.
- Notion. Free for personal use, more flexible than Sheets, includes database functionality for the QoL tracking. Good if you already use Notion.
- Apple Notes / iCloud. Simple, syncs across devices, supports tables. Adequate if you don't need vet sharing.
- Pawprint app, BabelBark, 11pets, dedicated pet health record apps with vaccination reminders and document storage. Range from free to subscription. The free tiers are usually adequate for senior dog tracking.
- Pet insurance company apps, most major insurers (Trupanion, Healthy Paws, Embrace, Pets Best) include built-in health record sections in their apps if you carry insurance.
The choice between paper and digital is mostly about what you'll actually use. A perfect Notion database that you stop opening is worse than a coffee-stained binder you actually fill in weekly.
When to Update the Record
A reasonable rhythm for most senior dog households:
- Daily entries, only when something is actively changing (new symptom, recovery from surgery, hospice care). You don't need a daily entry forever.
- Weekly QoL score, same day each week, ideally morning before food and activity start the day's variation
- At every vet visit, log it into Section 4 the same day, while details are fresh
- At every medication change, update Section 3 with the new dose and start date
- Annually, review Section 7 (Emergency Contacts) and confirm phone numbers still work
The most common mistake is starting strong with daily entries and burning out at week three. Better to commit to the weekly QoL score as the minimum baseline, then add daily notes only during active issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I update my senior dog's health record?
Weekly is the minimum useful frequency for the Quality of Life score. Vet visits and medication changes should be logged as they happen. Daily notes are valuable during active changes (new symptoms, recovery, hospice care) but not necessary forever. The 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines recommend senior wellness exams every six months for dogs aged 7+, so plan to bring your record to each of those visits.
What is the HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale?
The HHHHHMM scale was developed by veterinary oncologist Dr. Alice Villalobos and is the most widely used quality-of-life tool in veterinary medicine. It scores seven factors, Hurt (pain), Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More good days than bad, on a 0 to 10 scale each. Total scores above 35 generally suggest acceptable quality of life. Watch the trend across two to three weeks more than any single number. Our Quality of Life Scale guide walks through scoring in depth.
Should I print this template or use a digital version?
Either works. The right answer is whichever one you'll actually fill in consistently. A printed page in a binder kept on the kitchen counter often beats a perfect Notion database in a folder you don't open. If you want easy vet sharing, digital (Google Sheets, Notion) is better. If you want zero technology friction, paper is better. Try one for two weeks before switching.
Do I really need to track all 7 sections?
For most senior dogs, the minimum useful subset is Sections 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7, Identification, current Medications, Vet Visits, weekly QoL, and Emergency Contacts. Vaccination tracking (Section 2) often duplicates what your vet's records already cover. Daily Notes (Section 6) are only valuable during active changes. Start with the minimum and add sections as you find use for them.
Can I share this template with my vet?
Yes, that's part of the point. A digital version (Google Sheets, Notion, or even a PDF of your filled paper template scanned with a phone app) lets your vet review your tracking before or during the visit, which often shortens the diagnostic conversation. Most vets appreciate informed owners with structured records.
Is this template suitable for end-of-life or hospice care?
Yes, with emphasis on Section 5 (weekly QoL) and Section 6 (daily notes). For dogs in hospice, daily tracking of appetite, activity, mood, and pain signs over the last weeks of life often informs the conversation with the hospice vet about whether comfort can still be reliably delivered. Our dog hospice care at home guide covers the broader framework this fits inside.
Where can I find a free printable PDF version?
This page is designed to print directly, use your browser's Print function (Ctrl+P on Windows, Cmd+P on Mac) and the tables above will render as clean printable pages. Most browsers offer "Save as PDF" as a print destination, which gives you a sharable PDF without leaving the page.
Sources
- 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. aaha.org/resources
- AAHA, Diagnostic Tests and Recommended Frequencies for Senior Dogs and Cats. aaha.org
- Villalobos, A. Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human-Animal Bond. Wiley-Blackwell, source of the HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale
- AAHA Senior Care Guidelines Toolkit. aaha.org/resources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
- ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline: (877) 474-3310
- Cornell Pet Loss Support Hotline. vet.cornell.edu
Keep Reading
- Quality of Life Scale for Dogs (HHHHHMM), the assessment tool referenced in Section 5
- 8 Senior Dog Aging Signs, what to track in Section 6 daily notes
- How to Know When It's Time to Put Your Dog Down, the framework that builds on weekly QoL tracking
- Dog Hospice Care at Home, late-life care framework that integrates with daily tracking
- 12 Symptoms of Dog Dementia (DISHA Framework), behavior observations for Section 6
- Best Food for Senior Dogs, appetite tracking context
- When Is a Dog a Senior?, the breed-by-breed senior threshold (AAHA recommends senior wellness exams from age 7)
About the authors
Sarah Bennett writes about senior dog care from a household centered on her Border Collie Lucy. The 6-section template structure came from cross-referencing vet-side intake forms with what owners typically forget to bring. She is not a veterinarian; her work is reported, sourced from veterinary literature and AAHA-aligned tools, and reviewed against published guidelines.
Leo Bennett is the co-author of Senior Dog Daily and Sarah's husband. The pair share research and writing duties on the site.