Signs Your Senior Dog May Have Stiff Joints

The short answer: the most common signs that a senior dog's joints are bothering them are slowness getting up, stiffness after rest, reluctance on stairs or jumping into the car, tiring sooner on walks, and changes in mood or sleep. These changes are easy to dismiss as "just getting old," but they are worth a conversation with your veterinarian, because there is a lot you can do to keep your dog comfortable and moving.

Joint problems are common. Veterinary guidance from the American Animal Hospital Association estimates that about 1 in 5 dogs experiences joint pain or mobility problems during their lifetime.1

Signs you may notice at home

Dogs rarely cry out when their joints ache. Instead, the signs tend to show up in everyday routines. The AAHA lists these among the changes owners commonly report:1

Getting up and lying down

  • Slowness rising, especially after a nap or in the morning
  • Restlessness, pacing or trouble settling
  • Changing position often, or lying in unusual postures

Walking and moving

  • Small hitches in their gait, or limping or favoring one leg
  • Shifting weight while standing
  • Tiring earlier on walks
  • Reluctance to walk, sit or lie down

Stairs, cars and furniture

  • Hesitating at the bottom of the stairs
  • Needing help into the car
  • No longer jumping onto the couch or bed

Mood and behavior

  • Less enthusiasm when greeting you
  • Sleeping more, or losing interest in play
  • Irritability, or a hunched or tucked posture

Even brief or occasional limping deserves attention, in young dogs as well as old ones.1

When to see your veterinarian

Book a visit if you notice any of the signs above, especially if they last more than a few days, get worse, or affect one leg more than the others. Your veterinarian can examine your dog's joints, check for pain, and rule out other causes. Go sooner if your dog suddenly can't bear weight on a leg, cries when touched, or seems unwell in other ways.

It helps to bring notes: when you first noticed the change, what makes it better or worse, and a short video of your dog getting up or walking at home, where they're relaxed.

What helps senior dogs stay comfortable

Keep a healthy weight

Extra weight puts extra load on every joint. In a study of obese dogs with joint problems, lameness improved significantly once dogs lost about 6% of their body weight.2 In a lifelong study of Labrador Retrievers, dogs fed 25% less than their littermates lived significantly longer, and the onset of chronic disease was delayed.3 Ask your veterinarian what your dog's ideal weight is. Many owners underestimate how much their dog weighs.1

Keep them moving, gently

Regular, controlled activity helps. Dogs in the early stages of stiffness do well with moderate daily exercise, while dogs with more advanced changes often do better with several short walks a day. Low-impact activities like swimming can help, and it's best to avoid sudden bursts like repeated jumping or running on pavement.1

Make home easier

  • Rugs or runners on slippery floors
  • A supportive, orthopedic-style bed in a warm spot
  • A ramp or step for the car and favorite furniture
  • Raised food and water bowls for large dogs

Ask about nutrition and supplements

Your veterinarian may suggest a joint-support diet or supplement as part of the plan. Research supports some ingredients more than others. A 2022 review found the strongest evidence for omega-3 fatty acids, including those from fish oil and green-lipped mussel.4 Supplements support joint health; they don't replace a veterinary exam or prescribed treatment.

Why this matters to us

NordPet Health started with Cooper, our senior English Cream Golden Retriever. Watching him slow down on hikes is what got us reading the research on joint care. We make NordPet Health Hip & Joint, a daily soft chew with Norwegian salmon oil, glucosamine, MSM, collagen and green-lipped mussel, to be one part of that routine, alongside a healthy weight, regular walks and your veterinarian's advice. Read Cooper's story.

Sources

  1. American Animal Hospital Association and Boehringer Ingelheim. Mobility Matters: A Practical Guide to Recognizing and Managing Osteoarthritis (OA) in Dogs and Cats. aaha.org (PDF)
  2. Marshall WG, Hazewinkel HAW, Mullen D, et al. The effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis. Veterinary Research Communications. 2010;34(3):241–253. doi:10.1007/s11259-010-9348-7
  3. Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM, et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2002;220(9):1315–1320. doi:10.2460/javma.2002.220.1315
  4. Barbeau-Grégoire M, Otis C, Cournoyer A, et al. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of enriched therapeutic diets and nutraceuticals in canine and feline osteoarthritis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022;23(18):10384. doi:10.3390/ijms231810384

Published by NordPet Health, a dog supplement brand. This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your veterinarian.