Senior dogs have complex welfare needs that are increasingly well-understood but often inadequately addressed in veterinary practice and at home.
Senior dogs experience a progressive accumulation of welfare challenges including chronic pain, cognitive decline, sensory loss, and reduced mobility. Many of these changes are treatable or manageable but require proactive owner recognition and veterinary engagement. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome causes disorientation, sleep-wake cycle disruption, and anxiety that cause significant distress. Owners often attribute these changes to normal ageing, delaying beneficial interventions.