Guiding better care for senior dogs: how the Ageing Canine Toolkit helps owners navigate senior dog health with their veterinary professionals
Through advances in pet care and veterinary treatment, dogs and other pets are living longer and many of the animals seen in veterinary practice are senior. However, as we care for our canine golden oldies, it can be difficult for owners to distinguish between normal age-related changes and signs of diseases that need veterinary care.
To help address this, BSAVA PetSavers, the veterinary research funding arm of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), funded the Old Age Pets research project at the University of Liverpool. Led by Professor Carri Westgarth, Chair in Human-Animal Interaction, the work was primarily carried out by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Lisa Wallis and MPhil student Jodie Jackson.
Using research methods to explore owner and veterinary experiences
The research included three main parts: in-depth interviews and online questionnaires with owners and veterinary professionals, and an analysis of electronic veterinary health records via the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) based at the University of Liverpool.
A key theme that came out of the interviews was the misconception among owners that behavioural or physical signs like increased sleep were ‘just old age’, rather than potential indicators of treatable conditions. As noted by veterinary professionals, earlier interventions can improve patient outcomes, so owner awareness of disease could enable treatment to be started sooner.
Common health issues in ageing dogs and differing perceptions between owners and veterinary professionals
The most common reasons for owners to bring their ageing dog to see a veterinary professional were found to be weight changes (gain or loss), musculoskeletal problems, and dental conditions. Cognitive decline (“doggy dementia”)-type signs were also commonly seen in older dogs.
There was a notable gap in expectations around veterinary visits, with over 70% of veterinary professionals recommending check-ups every 6 months for healthy senior dogs, compared to only 40% of owners. Additionally, 15% of owners believed vet visits were only necessary when the dog was ill, a view shared by just 2% of vets.
Opinions on vaccination rates also differed: 20% of owners had not vaccinated their senior dog in the past year, often believing it was unnecessary, while 90% of vets recommended annual vaccinations for older dogs. It was clear that many senior dogs were not getting the 6 monthly health checks that veterinary professionals felt they needed.
Importantly, the survey found agreement between vets and owners about the signs most likely to be dismissed by owners as ‘just old age’, including excessive sleeping, slowing down on walks, and stiffness when rising; many of these indicate conditions that could be treated or at least managed.
The need for a guidance tool: the Ageing Canine Checklist
Interviews with both owners and veterinary professionals showed a strong need for a guidance tool to help owners understand the difference between normal ageing and signs of disease. The Ageing Canine Checklist, central to the Ageing Canine Toolkit, was developed in direct response to this. It is designed to reflect how owners naturally describe their dogs’ behaviours, helping them to notice and communicate concerns without needing to identify or understand specific medical conditions.
It includes a series of sign-based questions across 10 key areas of dog health, beginning with mobility because musculoskeletal issues are commonly encountered in senior dogs. Questions about the challenges of care and end-of-life planning are also included. For every question, owners are encouraged to mark a ‘Yes’, ‘Maybe’, or ‘No’ answer. Any ‘Yes’ or ‘Maybe’ responses prompt a recommendation to consult a veterinary professional. While not diagnostic, the checklist serves as a communication tool to help owners and vets identify potential health concerns early.
How to use the Ageing Canine Toolkit
The checklist has been incorporated into a wider toolkit, including a booklet providing information about the various conditions that a senior dog may encounter as it ages to give owners a better understanding of the signs referred to in the checklist. Multiple copies of the checklist are included at the back of the booklet so owners can repeat their assessments on a regular basis and compare the results with the previous check. An accompanying poster has been designed for veterinary practice waiting rooms that encourages owners to make use of the checklist while waiting for a consultation.
The toolkit aims to be highly flexible, allowing both veterinary professionals and dog owners to use it in various ways, both as a printed copy and digital version with an editable checklist that can be saved as a pdf file. It can be:
- Sent out with reminders for booster vaccinations or repeat medications
- Used during senior pet consultations or nursing clinics
- Provided in waiting rooms or discussed during appointments
- Shared via posters in consulting rooms or on social media
- Given after procedures or included in follow-up communications
To watch a recording of Professor Carri Westgarth's SCAS webinar about the development and use of the toolkit, click here.
How to access the toolkit
Both the leaflet and poster components of the toolkit are free to download from the BSAVA website using this link. They can also be ordered free of charge by veterinary professionals as printed copies by clicking here; you don’t need to be a BSAVA member to use them! Further information about the research project and toolkit is available here, and feedback on the toolkit is encouraged through this survey link.
Publications from the project
To help BSAVA PetSavers fund more clinically relevant veterinary research to help pets live longer, healthier lives, please donate here.