Senior companion animals have specific welfare needs that require proactive management to maintain quality of life through their later years.
Senior companion animals experience a progressive accumulation of age-related conditions that affect their quality of life. Arthritis causes daily pain that reduces activity and enjoyment. Cognitive dysfunction creates confusion and anxiety. Sensory loss changes their experience of the world. Proactive management — including appropriate pain medication, environmental modifications and cognitive enrichment — can maintain quality of life through the senior years. The goal is to ensure that later life is comfortable and engaged rather than simply extended.