Dogs are living longer than ever, but extended lifespan requires proactive geriatric welfare management. Understanding the specific needs of senior dogs helps owners maintain quality of life into old age.
Senior dog welfare requires a shift in veterinary approach from disease prevention to quality of life maintenance. As dogs age, multiple concurrent conditions commonly develop and interact, requiring coordinated management. Pain from osteoarthritis is nearly universal in older dogs and chronically undertreated. Cognitive dysfunction affects up to 28% of dogs over 11 and causes behavioral changes that are frequently misattributed to aging rather than treated as a medical condition. Proactive geriatric health screening catches conditions at treatable stages and dramatically extends high-quality life.