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Caregiver Resource Guide

Arthritis / Mobility Decline Resource Guide

What to notice, what to track, and what to ask your vet when your senior dog is slowing down, stiff, limping, slipping, or struggling to move comfortably.

Maybe it started small: a pause at the bottom of the stairs, a slower rise from the dog bed, shorter walks, or the sense that your dog just is not moving the way they used to.

It is easy to file these changes under getting older and leave them there. But many causes of slowing down, stiffness, or reluctance to move are worth evaluating because some can be managed or treated.

Start with urgent signsWhat to write down before calling
What this guide helps you do
1

Notice subtle pain signs

Recognize changes that may show up before there is an obvious limp.

2

Sort gradual from urgent

Understand which changes can wait for a regular visit and which should be evaluated quickly.

3

Prepare for the vet visit

Track the details that help your vet understand patterns, pain, mobility, and daily function.

This guide is here to help you make sense of what you are seeing, sort out what needs attention quickly versus what can wait for a regular appointment, and walk into your vet visit more prepared.

Watching a senior dog slowly lose ease of movement can be emotionally confusing: it may not feel like an emergency, but it can still feel like something important is slipping. You are not overreacting by paying attention.

This guide can help you:

✓Recognize signs of arthritis, chronic pain, or mobility decline, including the subtle ones.
✓Tell the difference between gradual changes and signs that need quick attention.
✓Decide what to document before you call or visit your vet.
✓Track day-to-day changes during care.
✓Prepare questions for your appointment.

This guide cannot:

!Diagnose your dog.
!Tell you the cause or severity of what is going on.
!Recommend treatment or medication.
!Replace hands-on veterinary care.
Many things can cause stiffness and limping in an older dog, and they are not all arthritis. Only your veterinarian can sort out what is actually happening and what to do about it.
If this is happening now

Go to a vet or emergency clinic now if your dog:

!

Suddenly cannot stand or walk.

!

Is dragging the back legs or walking on the tops of the feet, also called knuckling.

!

Has collapsed, fainted, or cannot get up at all.

!

May have a fracture after a fall, jump, or sudden injury.

!

Is in sudden, severe pain: crying out, trembling, hunched, or frozen.

!

Has a joint that is suddenly hot, badly swollen, and too painful to touch.

!

Has a fever along with limping.

!

Seems unable to urinate, is straining without producing urine, or has suddenly lost control of the bladder or bowels.

!

Is going downhill fast — clearly worse within hours.

These signs do not tell you what is wrong.
They mean your dog should be evaluated quickly.

How quickly should you call?

1

Call your vet for a same-day or next-day visit if your dog has a new limp that has not resolved within a day or two.

2

Call quickly if your dog was managing well and has stepped down from normal for a day or two.

3

Call if your dog has stopped eating and is also showing signs of pain.

4

Call if there is a swollen joint that came on gradually, or is not hot or intensely painful.

5

Call if vomiting, dark or bloody stool, unusual tiredness, or appetite loss appears after starting a new medication.

Regular appointment signs

Gradual stiffness, mild limping, or slowing down over weeks still deserves a vet visit, even if it does not feel like an emergency.

When in doubt, a phone call to your vet’s office is always reasonable.
Describing what you are seeing is often enough for them to tell you whether to come in now or book an appointment.
Signs caregivers may notice

Arthritis and chronic pain often show up as small changes first.

Many dogs do not yelp or cry, even when they are genuinely uncomfortable. They may go quiet, slow down, avoid movement, or change their routines. You know your dog’s normal better than anyone.

Movement changes

✓Stiffness after rest, especially in the morning or after a nap.
✓Difficulty rising, or needing a few tries to stand.
✓Reluctance to jump onto furniture, into the car, or use stairs.
✓Slipping on smooth floors, splaying the legs, or losing traction.
✓Limping or favoring a leg, which may come and go.
✓Shorter walks, falling behind, or losing interest in play.

Behavior and comfort changes

✓Licking, chewing, or nibbling at a joint.
✓A hunched posture, odd stance, or shifting weight off one leg.
✓Irritability, withdrawal, or snapping when touched in a certain spot.
✓Restlessness or trouble getting comfortable at night.
✓Loss of muscle over the hips and thighs.
✓A drop in appetite if discomfort is significant.
These signs are not a diagnosis.
They are a reason to start paying closer attention and to mention what you are seeing to your vet.
Before calling or visiting the vet

What to document before calling or visiting the vet

The more specific you can be, the more useful your visit will be. Write this down rather than trying to remember it in the moment.

Onset and pattern

✓Did this come on suddenly or gradually?
✓When did you first notice it?
✓Is it worse after rest, after activity, or both?

What seems affected

✓Which leg or area seems involved?
✓Is it hard to tell, or does it shift between legs?
✓Is your dog limping, slipping, struggling to rise, or avoiding stairs or jumps?

Progression

✓Is it getting worse, staying the same, or improving?
✓Over what timeframe?
✓Does it come and go?

Medications and supplements

List everything your dog is currently getting.

✓Prescription medications.
✓Joint supplements, CBD, or herbal products.
✓Any recent medication changes or side effects.

Eating, drinking, bathroom

✓Any changes in appetite or water intake.
✓Any bathroom changes or accidents.
✓Any vomiting, dark stool, bloody stool, or unusual tiredness after medication.

Video, if safe

A short phone video can help because dogs often move differently at the clinic.

✓Film walking on a non-slip surface at a normal pace.
✓Film rising from lying down if your dog is already doing it comfortably.
!Do not push your dog to move more just to get a video.
Never give human pain relievers. Ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and acetaminophen are dangerous, even toxic, to dogs. Give only medications prescribed by your veterinarian. If your dog has already gotten into human medication, call your vet, an emergency clinic, Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435.
Daily tracking

What to track during daily care

Once your dog is under veterinary care, simple daily tracking helps you and your vet see whether things are improving, holding steady, or slipping.

Good-day and bad-day patterns are often more telling than any single moment.

Use it to log:

Appetite
Water intake
Medications
Pain signs
Bathroom changes
Energy level
Sleep/restlessness
Mobility / movement
Notes

Use the Mobility / Movement field to capture the overall picture each day: normal for them, a little weaker or slower, struggling more than usual, or unable to stand or walk normally.

Use the Notes field for arthritis-specific details: slipping, stiffness after rest, trouble rising, reluctance on stairs, a limp that came and went, joint licking, side effects, or patterns around weather and activity.

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Signs caregivers may notice

Arthritis and chronic pain often show up as small changes first.

Many dogs do not yelp or cry, even when they are genuinely uncomfortable. They may go quiet, slow down, avoid movement, or change their routines. You know your dog’s normal better than anyone.

Movement changes

✓Stiffness after rest, especially in the morning or after a nap.
✓Difficulty rising, or needing a few tries to stand.
✓Reluctance to jump onto furniture, into the car, or use stairs.
Signs caregivers may notice

Arthritis and chronic pain often show up as small changes first.

Many dogs do not yelp or cry, even when they are genuinely uncomfortable. They may go quiet, slow down, avoid movement, or change their routines. You know your dog’s normal better than anyone.

Movement changes

✓Stiffness after rest, especially in the morning or after a nap.
✓Difficulty rising, or needing a few tries to stand.
✓Reluctance to jump onto furniture, into the car, or use stairs.
✓Slipping on smooth floors, splaying the legs, or losing traction.
✓Limping or favoring a leg, which may come and go.
✓Shorter walks, falling behind, or losing interest in play.

Behavior and comfort changes

✓Licking, chewing, or nibbling at a joint.
✓A hunched posture, odd stance, or shifting weight off one leg.
✓Irritability, withdrawal, or snapping when touched in a certain spot.
✓Restlessness or trouble getting comfortable at night.
✓Loss of muscle over the hips and thighs.
✓A drop in appetite if discomfort is significant.
These signs are not a diagnosis.
They are a reason to start paying closer attention and to mention what you are seeing to your vet.
Before calling or visiting the vet

What to document before calling or visiting the vet

The more specific you can be, the more useful your visit will be. Write this down rather than trying to remember it in the moment.

Onset and pattern

✓Did this come on suddenly or gradually?
✓When did you first notice it?
✓Is it worse after rest, after activity, or both?

What seems affected

✓Which leg or area seems involved?
✓Is it hard to tell, or does it shift between legs?
✓Is your dog limping, slipping, struggling to rise, or avoiding stairs or jumps?

Progression

✓Is it getting worse, staying the same, or improving?
✓Over what timeframe?
✓Does it come and go?

Medications and supplements

List everything your dog is currently getting.

✓Prescription medications.
✓Joint supplements, CBD, or herbal products.
✓Any recent medication changes or side effects.

Eating, drinking, bathroom

✓Any changes in appetite or water intake.
✓Any bathroom changes or accidents.
✓Any vomiting, dark stool, bloody stool, or unusual tiredness after medication.

Video, if safe

A short phone video can help because dogs often move differently at the clinic.

✓Film walking on a non-slip surface at a normal pace.
✓Film rising from lying down if your dog is already doing it comfortably.
!Do not push your dog to move more just to get a video.
Never give human pain relievers. Ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and acetaminophen are dangerous, even toxic, to dogs. Give only medications prescribed by your veterinarian. If your dog has already gotten into human medication, call your vet, an emergency clinic, Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435.
Daily tracking

What to track during daily care

Once your dog is under veterinary care, simple daily tracking helps you and your vet see whether things are improving, holding steady, or slipping.

Good-day and bad-day patterns are often more telling than any single moment.

Use it to log:

Appetite
Water intake
Medications
Pain signs
Bathroom changes
Energy level
Sleep/restlessness
Mobility / movement
Notes

Use the Mobility / Movement field to capture the overall picture each day: normal for them, a little weaker or slower, struggling more than usual, or unable to stand or walk normally.

Use the Notes field for arthritis-specific details like slipping, stiffness after rest, trouble rising, reluctance on stairs, joint licking, side effects, or patterns around weather and activity.

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Vet conversation

Questions to ask your vet

You do not need to ask all of these in one visit. Pick what fits your situation, and keep the list for follow-ups.

If you are overwhelmed, start with just three:

1

Is this likely joint pain, or could it be a spinal or neurologic problem?

2

What signs should make me call you urgently?

3

What can I safely do at home right now?

Which joint or area seems affected, and how severe does it look?
Does my dog need an exam-only visit first, or imaging or bloodwork?
What are the pain-management options suited to my dog’s age and overall health?
If we use medication long-term, what monitoring is needed and what side effects should I watch for?
What is a healthy weight target for my dog, and how do I get there?
Would physical therapy or rehab help, and how do I find someone qualified?
What activity is safe versus harmful right now?
How often should we recheck?
If cost is a barrier, what options are there?
After veterinary guidance

Daily care considerations after veterinary guidance

These are supports many caregivers find helpful, but the right ones depend on your dog. Confirm anything specific with your vet before making changes.

Non-slip flooring

Rugs, runners with non-slip backing, or yoga mats over hardwood and tile can reduce slipping and make movement feel safer.

Ramps and steps

For furniture, beds, and the car, ramps or steps may reduce jumping down onto sore joints. Introduce them gradually on a non-slip surface.

Supportive bedding

A firm, supportive bed in a warm, draft-free spot can make rest more comfortable.

Weight management

If your dog is carrying extra weight, even modest weight loss may reduce stress on sore joints. Your vet can set a realistic target.

Consistent, low-impact exercise

Short, regular walks usually beat occasional long ones. The goal is steady movement, not boom-and-bust weekends.

Nail and paw care

Overgrown nails change how a dog stands and can reduce traction. Keep nails trimmed and check paw pads.

Harnesses and slings

A well-fitted harness gives better support and control than a neck collar. A rear-support sling may help a dog with weak back legs get outside to potty.

Medication tracking

If your dog is on anti-inflammatory medication, watch for stomach upset, dark or bloody stool, low energy, or appetite changes. Never repeat, double-dose, or combine medications unless your veterinarian tells you to.

Rehab and other therapies

Physical therapy, underwater treadmill work, massage, and acupuncture can help some dogs. Look for properly credentialed providers and ask your vet for a referral.

You do not need to do everything at once.
Traction, weight, and gentle consistent movement are good places to start.
Common worries

Common worries you may be carrying

“Is this just old age? Do I really need to do anything?”

Aging itself is not a disease, but stiffness and slowing can be signs of treatable pain. What gets written off as “just getting old” is often something a vet can help with.

“Is my dog really in pain? They don’t cry.”

Most dogs do not cry when they hurt. They may go quiet, slow down, avoid movement, become irritable, change posture, or lick joints. Trust the behavior changes you are seeing.

“Should I stop the walks?”

Usually not without veterinary guidance. For many dogs, stopping all activity can contribute to muscle loss and stiffness. The aim is often gentler, more consistent movement rather than no movement.

“Are pain medications dangerous?”

It is a fair concern. Many vet-prescribed medications can be used safely with the monitoring your vet recommends, but every dog’s risks are different. Unmanaged pain also has real costs.

“Is limping always arthritis?”

No. A limp in an older or larger dog can have other causes that need a different approach, so a limp that persists or worsens deserves a vet exam rather than an assumption that it is just arthritis.

“What if I can’t afford diagnostics or treatment?”

Some helpful steps are low-cost or free: traction, gentle exercise, and weight management. A basic exam is a good starting point before any imaging. Cost concerns are a reason to ask about options, not a reason to stay silent.

“How do I know if quality of life is becoming a concern?”

You do not have to figure this out alone. Your vet can walk you through quality-of-life tools and help you think about whether your dog is still having more good days than hard ones.

Trusted resources

Trusted resources for deeper reading

These resources are for deeper reading. They do not replace veterinary care.

Veterinary school

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Osteoarthritis

Caregiver-facing information on arthritis, recognizing pain, and what to expect at a vet visit.

Visit Cornell
Reference manual

Merck Veterinary Manual — Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats

A reliable reference covering signs, diagnosis, and management.

Visit Merck
Pain care

AAHA — Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats

Professional guidance behind modern pain care, useful background on how veterinarians recognize and treat chronic pain.

Visit AAHA
Veterinary surgery

American College of Veterinary Surgeons — Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Owner-facing overview from a surgical specialty society, including when interventions may be considered.

Visit ACVS
Rehabilitation

Canine Rehabilitation Institute — Find a Therapist

A directory for locating certified canine rehab professionals if your vet recommends physical therapy.

Find a therapist
Quality of life

Lap of Love — Quality-of-Life Assessment

Gentle, practical tools and support for assessing comfort and quality of life over time.

Visit Lap of Love
If your dog's situation looks a little different, these guides may fit better:
IVDD / Back PainVestibular Disease / Sudden Balance ProblemsCognitive Dysfunction / Nighttime PacingBrowse the full Resource Library

A final note

This guide is a starting point for caregivers, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Mobility changes in a senior dog are worth taking seriously, and the person best placed to interpret them is your veterinarian — ideally one who knows your dog.

If something feels off, trust that instinct and make the call.

Last reviewed: June 2026