Dogs are living longer, and managing the welfare challenges of ageing — mobility loss, cognitive decline, and chronic pain — is increasingly central to companion animal veterinary care.
Senior dog welfare requires proactive attention to conditions that are common, treatable, and frequently missed. Canine arthritis is the most prevalent and most undertreated chronic welfare problem in ageing dogs — the same evolutionary stoicism that keeps dogs functional through pain also keeps owners and sometimes veterinarians from recognising its presence. Validated pain scales and movement assessments help identify arthritis early, when intervention is most effective. Modern pain management has transformed the quality of life available to arthritic dogs: NSAID therapy, gabapentin for neuropathic components, adequan or other joint support, and hydrotherapy together can produce dramatic improvements in mobility and behaviour. Environmental modifications — orthopedic bedding, ramps instead of stairs, non-slip flooring, raised food bowls — reduce the functional impact of existing joint damage. As cognitive dysfunction develops in very old dogs, consistent routines, night lighting, and in some cases medication help maintain orientation and reduce confusion-related distress.