Senior dogs are at elevated risk of multiple concurrent conditions that affect quality of life. Proactive wellness programmes detect problems early and maintain welfare in the final life stage.
The welfare of senior dogs depends on proactive detection and management of the multiple conditions that accumulate with age. Pain from arthritis, dental disease and cancer is often stoically concealed by dogs, making active screening essential. Cognitive dysfunction, often dismissed as normal ageing, is treatable and significantly improves quality of life when addressed. A proactive rather than reactive approach to senior dog health is one of the highest-impact welfare interventions available to pet owners.