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Is my senior dog in pain?
Older dogs rarely cry out when joints hurt. Instead they avoid jumps or stairs, favor a leg, walk stiffly, struggle to get up or lie down, sleep more, play less and resist being touched. These are common signs of arthritis, and pain in older dogs can usually be eased.
Checklist
Everyday signs
- Avoids jumping into the car or onto the couch, or avoids stairs
- Favors a leg or limps
- Walks stiffly, especially after resting
- Has trouble getting up or lying down
- Sleeps more and plays less
- Resists being touched or handled
Easy changes that help at home
- Keep your dog lean: extra weight loads sore joints
- Put rugs, runners or toe grips on slick floors
- Add a ramp or steps for the couch, bed and car
- Offer a thick, supportive bed away from drafts
- Choose short, frequent walks over one long one
- Ask your vet about pain relief made for dogs
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my old dog is in pain?
Watch for changes in movement and mood: avoiding stairs or jumps, limping, stiffness after rest, trouble rising or lying down, sleeping more, playing less and resisting touch. Ask your vet for a pain check if you see two or more.
Is it arthritis or just old age?
Slowing down is often pain, not just age. These activity changes are typical of arthritis, and many dogs move more easily once pain is treated.
What helps an arthritic senior dog at home?
Keep your dog lean, use rugs or toe grips on slick floors, add ramps or steps for beds and cars, offer a supportive orthopedic bed and keep walks short and frequent. Your vet can add pain relief.
Helpful at home
Soft support, grip and ramps make moving easier. They do not replace pain treatment from your vet.
Related care guides
More free senior dog tools
- Dog age in human years: Human-age chart, life stage and when your dog becomes a senior, by size.
- Weight and calorie calculator: Normal weight by breed and age, ideal weight, daily calories and a safe weight-loss pace.
- Water intake calculator: How much your senior dog should drink a day, and when it is too much.
- Sleeping breathing rate counter: Tap along while your dog sleeps to get breaths per minute and see if it is in the usual range.
- Bladder infection (UTI) symptoms: Straining, frequent peeing, blood or smell: what fits a UTI and when it is an emergency.
- Leaking urine? Incontinence check: Sort leaking from infection, thirst, memory or mobility problems, with next steps.
- Is my dog overweight? Body check: Three quick hands-on checks to estimate the body condition score.
- Dog dementia (CCD) checklist: Confusion, night pacing, accidents and memory changes in older dogs.
- Quality of life scale: is it time?: Score 7 areas of daily life, track good and bad days, and know when to talk to your vet about euthanasia.
- Printable weekly health tracker: Log weight, appetite, water, sleep and accidents for your vet. No sign-up.
Sources: AVMA: Senior pets
Educational only. Not a substitute for your veterinarian. Updated October 2026. SILVERPAW is operated by ILYESHOPI LLC.
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