Companion Animal Welfare

Senior Dog Welfare and Quality of Life

Dogs are living longer due to advances in veterinary care, making quality of life assessment in senior dogs increasingly important.

Key Facts

Dogs are generally considered senior from age 7, though this varies by size
Common conditions include osteoarthritis, cognitive dysfunction, dental disease, and cancer
The Dog Aging Project is tracking thousands of dogs to understand healthy ageing
Quality of life scales such as HHHHHMM (Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, More good days than bad) are widely used
Pain from arthritis is often underrecognised and undertreated in older dogs

Welfare Considerations

Senior dogs benefit from proactive pain management, environmental modifications, and regular quality of life assessment. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (canine dementia) affects up to 68% of dogs aged 15-16 and requires specific management. End-of-life decisions are among the most important welfare considerations for dog owners and should be guided by quality of life assessment rather than emotional attachment alone.

What You Can Do

Schedule twice-yearly vet checks for senior dogs
Use validated quality of life scales to guide end-of-life decisions
Modify your home to support mobility in arthritic senior dogs
Discuss pain management options proactively with your veterinarian