Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common conditions in older dogs, and its management significantly affects quality of life — with early detection and dietary modification the most impactful welfare interventions.
Canine CKD welfare is primarily shaped by the quality of management rather than the diagnosis itself. Dogs in early CKD stages (IRIS 1-2) managed appropriately — phosphorus-restricted prescription diet, regular monitoring, blood pressure control where indicated — can maintain good quality of life for months to years. Dogs whose CKD goes undetected or unmanaged until advanced stages face the full burden of uraemic illness: nausea, reduced appetite, lethargy, mouth ulcers, and progressive decline. Early detection through annual biochemistry screening in older dogs — particularly using SDMA which detects disease earlier than traditional markers — allows dietary intervention when it has maximum benefit and minimum welfare cost. Home subcutaneous fluid therapy, while requiring owner training, dramatically improves hydration and uraemia in dogs that benefit, and is generally well-tolerated once the technique is established. Quality-of-life assessment should guide decisions about the intensity of management and the timing of end-of-life decisions.