Mobility & Arthritis in Older Dogs
As dogs age, changes in mobility are common.
These changes can be gradual and easy to miss, but they often have a significant impact on your dog’s comfort, behaviour, and overall quality of life.
What Changes Might You Notice?
You may notice:
• stiffness, especially after rest
• slowing down on walks
• reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or get into the car
• difficulty getting up or lying down
• changes in posture or movement
• reduced interest in exercise
These changes are often subtle at first and may be mistaken for normal ageing.
Is It Just Ageing or Something More?
Mobility changes are often linked to discomfort within the joints, muscles, or surrounding structures.
Conditions such as arthritis can develop gradually over time, leading to:
• inflammation within joints
• reduced range of motion
• ongoing discomfort
These changes can also affect behaviour, energy levels, and how your dog interacts with their environment.
Behaviour changes linked to discomfort are discussed further on our Pain vs Behaviour page.
→Is It Behaviour or Is It Pain?
How Mobility Affects Daily Life
Changes in mobility don’t just affect movement.
They can influence:
• confidence and willingness to move
• sleep patterns
• interaction with family members
• tolerance to handling, including grooming
Some dogs who become uncomfortable with grooming may benefit from a more tailored approach. You can learn more about this on our Dog Grooming page.
How We Can Help
At Melbourne Dog Clinic, we focus on understanding the underlying cause of mobility changes and supporting your dog’s comfort over time.
We offer Senior Comfort & Quality of Life Appointments, where we:
• assess movement and mobility
• identify areas of discomfort
• discuss changes in behaviour or activity
• develop a plan to support comfort and function
Our approach is centred on maintaining quality of life, rather than simply managing symptoms.
Supporting Mobility at Home
Small adjustments can make a meaningful difference to your dog’s comfort.
This may include:
• providing non-slip surfaces
• using supportive bedding
• adjusting exercise routines
• minimising stairs where possible
These changes can help reduce strain and support more comfortable movement throughout the day.
When to Book an Appointment
If you’ve noticed changes in your dog’s movement or activity, it’s a good time to have it gently assessed.
Early support can:
• improve comfort
• slow progression of discomfort
• help maintain independence
You can book a Senior Comfort & Quality of Life Appointment to explore these changes in more detail.
A Calm, Considerate Approach
As a Fear Free clinic, we assess mobility in a way that is calm, gentle, and adapted to each dog.
This includes:
• allowing time to move at their own pace
• minimising stress during examination
• tailoring handling to the individual dog
Learn More About Senior Care
Mobility is just one aspect of ageing.
You can explore more about supporting your dog as they age on our Senior Dogs page.