If your dog has slowed down a little, it's easy to chalk it up to "just getting older." Sometimes that's true. But joint pain in senior dogs is often more advanced than it appears on the surface, because dogs are remarkably good at hiding discomfort. Here are seven signs worth paying closer attention to, and what you can do about each one.
1. Slower to get up after lying down
A brief stretch before standing is normal. But if your dog hesitates, stiffens, or seems to carefully "unfold" before rising, especially after a nap, that's often one of the earliest signs of joint stiffness.
2. Reluctance to jump onto furniture or into the car
If your dog used to hop onto the couch or into the back seat without a second thought and now pauses, circles, or refuses altogether, it's rarely stubbornness. It's usually pain in the hips, knees, or spine.
3. Changes in how they climb stairs
Watch for a "bunny hop" pattern with the back legs, taking stairs one at a time when they used to bound up, or avoiding stairs entirely.
4. Licking or chewing at a specific joint
Dogs sometimes focus grooming attention on a sore spot. Persistent licking at a knee, hip, or elbow is worth mentioning to your vet, even if there's no visible swelling.
5. A change in temperament after activity
A dog who gets snippy, withdrawn, or unusually quiet after a walk or playtime may be sore, not just tired. Pain often shows up as mood, not just movement.
6. Muscle loss in the back legs
Feel along your dog's hind legs. If one side feels thinner or less muscled than the other, they may be favoring that leg without an obvious limp, and losing muscle from disuse.
7. Trouble getting comfortable at rest
Circling repeatedly before lying down, shifting positions often through the night, or panting while resting can all be signs of joint discomfort, especially if it's a new pattern.
What you can do at home
A few things help almost every dog with early joint stiffness: keeping them at a healthy weight (extra pounds put real strain on joints), adding ramps or steps so they don't have to jump, switching to an orthopedic bed that cushions pressure points, and keeping up gentle, regular movement rather than long stretches of rest followed by bursts of activity.
When to call the vet
If you're noticing two or more of these signs, or any sign has come on suddenly, it's worth a vet visit. Early treatment, whether that's a joint supplement, anti-inflammatory medication, or physical therapy, tends to work far better than waiting until mobility is seriously limited. Joint pain in dogs is very manageable when it's caught early.