Senior pets have specific welfare needs as age-related conditions including arthritis, cognitive dysfunction, dental disease, and organ failure become increasingly common.
Senior pet welfare requires a shift from reactive to proactive care as age-related conditions accumulate. Regular veterinary assessment of older pets — at least twice yearly — enables early detection of arthritis, organ disease, dental disease, and cognitive dysfunction. Pain management for arthritic pets dramatically improves quality of life; the stoic nature of many older pets means pain is chronically underrecognised. Quality of life assessment frameworks help owners and vets make informed decisions about treatment intensity and end-of-life timing. Geriatric care is not about prolonging life at all costs but maintaining welfare through the later years.