Ageing dogs in New Zealand: the senior care ecosystem you didn't know existed

New Zealand has approximately 830,000 registered dogs, with ownership in roughly 31% of households, according to Companion Animals NZ 2024 data. A significant and growing proportion of those dogs are old — the population of dogs over seven years of age has increased as veterinary care has improved and owners have invested more deeply in their animals' health and longevity. The ecosystem of care available for those animals — the specialist hospitals, the rehabilitation services, the emerging palliative care sector — is more developed than many New Zealand dog owners realise.

The specialist veterinary sector in Auckland

Auckland has two anchor specialist veterinary hospitals that serve as tertiary referral centres for the wider North Island. VSA (Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa) operates from three locations — Manukau, Albany, and a surgical centre in Parnell — covering internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics, and ophthalmology. VSG (Veterinary Specialists Group) in Mt Roskill is the other major specialist centre, with particular strength in orthopaedics and rehabilitation medicine.

• VSA (Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa) — 3 Auckland locations; full range specialist services including oncology, neurology, cardiology; 24/7 emergency capability; vsahospital.co.nz
• VSG (Veterinary Specialists Group) — Mt Roskill, Auckland; orthopaedics, rehabilitation, internal medicine; vsg.co.nz
• Vetphysio — Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch; veterinary physiotherapy and rehabilitation; canine hydrotherapy and recovery; vetphysio.co.nz
• K9 Aqua Therapy — Auckland; dedicated canine hydrotherapy facility; post-surgical rehabilitation and mobility support for arthritic dogs; k9aqua.co.nz

Pain management: Librela arrives in New Zealand

One of the most significant developments in canine pain management in recent years has been the availability of Librela (bedinvetmab) in New Zealand. Librela is an anti-nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) monoclonal antibody — a monthly injection that targets the biological pathway responsible for osteoarthritis pain signalling. It is given monthly by a veterinarian, and in clinical trials has shown significant reduction in pain scores and improvement in mobility for dogs with osteoarthritis.

Librela is available through veterinary clinics in New Zealand and has been adopted by many specialists in New Zealand, including at tertiary referral centres, for senior dogs with documented osteoarthritis. It represents a meaningful alternative or adjunct to traditional NSAID pain management, particularly for dogs with gastrointestinal sensitivity or renal function concerns that limit NSAID use. As with all anti-NGF therapies, veterinary monitoring is important because of a recognised (though uncommon) risk of accelerated joint deterioration in some dogs — a signal that has emerged in 2024–26 post-marketing surveillance; your vet will weigh this against the benefits and monitor accordingly.

Palliative care: New Zealand's emerging end-of-life sector

New Zealand has a small but genuinely dedicated sector of veterinary professionals specialising in palliative care and at-home euthanasia services. These services allow owners to manage a senior dog's final weeks and months with a quality-of-life focus rather than a purely curative one — pain management, comfort care, and, when the time comes, a peaceful in-home death without the stress of a clinic environment.

• Peaceful Paws (peacefulpaws.co.nz) — Auckland-based home euthanasia and palliative care; mobile veterinary service; available 7 days
• Rest Your Paws (restyourpaws.co.nz) — Auckland and Northland; home euthanasia; pre-booking recommended
• Sunset Vet Care — Wellington region; palliative support and in-home euthanasia; by referral through primary vet
• Most Auckland and Wellington specialist practices: have palliative care pathways through their internal medicine departments; ask your referring vet for a referral

Rehabilitation and hydrotherapy: the post-surgical and chronic pain option

Canine hydrotherapy — exercise in a heated, temperature-controlled pool or underwater treadmill — is an established and evidence-supported rehabilitation modality for dogs recovering from orthopaedic surgery (TPLO, FHO, spinal surgery) and for dogs with chronic arthritis who cannot tolerate high-impact exercise. K9 Aqua Therapy in Auckland offers both pool and underwater treadmill sessions. Vetphysio, with three locations (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch), provides a full veterinary physiotherapy service including manual therapy, electrotherapy, and exercise rehabilitation.