As our dogs age, we typically see changes in their behaviour and mobility. We accept that our senior dogs are slowing down but old age is not a diagnosis, and it breaks my heart seeing “older” dogs limping or struggling on their walks.
Pain is so often overlooked and many of the signs are considered a normal consequence of aging. However, as guardians of aging dogs, we need to be able to tell the difference between normal behaviour changes in aging dogs and abnormal behaviours that could be a sign of pain.
Here are a few indicators that your dog might be in pain:
· Reluctance to walk on slippery surfaces
· Difficulty getting up from sitting or lying down
· Struggling to settle or get comfortable
· Limping or lameness
· Reluctance to go up or down stairs
· Lying down while eating or drinking
· Reluctance to eat or drink
· Moving/walking while toileting
· Reluctance to jump into the car or onto furniture
· Standing to one side or weight shifting off a painful limb
· “Accidents” in the house
· Regularly licking specific joints
· Reluctance to be groomed or touched in certain areas
It is important to remember that dogs are very stoic animals and will often not show signs of pain until that pain is quite severe. If your dog is showing any of the above, seek veterinary advice and don’t wait for it to get worse – your dog will likely already be in significant amounts of pain to be showing these symptoms in the first place!
DID YOU KNOW… 35% of ALL dogs suffer from osteoarthritis (CAM, 2024), however this number is likely under reported.
Living with pain can greatly affect your dog’s quality of life, impacting mood, appetite and sleep, just as it would in humans, and it has even been linked to cognitive decline (Wrightson et al., 2023).
Suspect your dog may be experiencing pain? What can you do to help…
· Invest in ramps or steps for your car
Travelling in the car is often unavoidable and getting in and out can cause issues for older dogs or those living with pain. Using ramps and steps can make this more comfortable for them and reduce the strain on their bodies from jumping in and out.
· Add carpet or rugs on slippery floors
As dogs age, their muscles weaken and their joints may be painful, it becomes harder for them to prevent their limbs from slipping on slippery floors such as wood, laminate or tiled floors. Whilst slips may not seem like a big deal, they can be incredibly painful to inflamed joints and less flexible muscles, potentially causing serious damage. Putting rugs or runners down so that your dog has a safe pathway can help prevent this.
· Provide a range of beds
Failing to settle and inadequate sleep are common signs of unmanaged pain. Dogs are very individual in their sleeping preferences so providing a range of comfy beds for them to choose from may help them settle better. Additionally, using raised beds or mattresses will make getting up and down much easier and more comfortable for your dog.
· Provide raised bowls with mat to stand on
If your dog sits or lays down to eat or struggles to stand to eat the meal in one go (circles away and comes back frequently), they may benefit from a raised bowl so that they don’t have to hold themselves in an uncomfortable position to eat. Adding a mat can help prevent their feet slipping away while they stand and help make them feel more secure.
· TREAT THE PAIN
Regardless of whether the underlying cause is treatable, you can speak to your vet about providing pain management to ensure your dog maintains a good quality of life. There are a lot of pharmaceutical options available at different price points, so discuss your concerns with your vet. You can also look at therapeutic modalities such as acupuncture or massage therapy to help reduce pain.
Charis
Train & Treat
References
CAM (2024) Arthritis in Dogs - The Basics. Available from: https://caninearthritis.co.uk/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-in-dogs-the-basics/.
Wrightson, R., Albertini, M., Pirrone, F., McPeake, K. and Piotti, P. (2023) The Relationship between Signs of Medical Conditions and Cognitive Decline in Senior Dogs. Animals. 13 (13), pp. 1–15. doi:10.3390/ani13132203.
Further Information
Charis Donnelly, Train & Treat, is a qualified and experienced Canine Massage Therapist providing treatments to prioritise your dog’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Charis is a member of the International Association of Animal Therapists which promotes best practice.
For more information on managing pain in your older dog, email charis@train-and-treat.co.uk
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