Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Welfare and Senior Preventive Healthcare

Senior dogs benefit from proactive preventive healthcare tailored to age-related risks. Regular health screening enables early detection and management of common senior conditions.

Key Facts

Dogs are considered senior from seven years old, earlier for large and giant breeds
Annual health screens including blood and urine tests detect kidney, liver and thyroid problems early
Dental disease becomes more prevalent and severe in senior dogs requiring increased veterinary attention
Mobility assessment at every veterinary visit identifies early orthopaedic or neurological deterioration
Weight management becomes increasingly important as metabolic rate decreases in older dogs

Welfare Considerations

Senior dog preventive healthcare prevents months or years of undetected suffering from age-related conditions. Regular health screening is an investment in quality of life across the final third of a dog's life.

What You Can Do

Schedule twice-yearly veterinary health checks for dogs over seven years old
Request a full senior health screen including bloodwork annually from eight years of age
Discuss pain management, dental care and mobility support proactively with your veterinarian