Mobility and home access
Make the home easier for an older dog to use
Mobility changes can be subtle. Home adaptations can make daily life easier, but persistent stiffness, limping or difficulty rising should still be assessed.
Reduce unnecessary effort
Improve traction
Slippery floors can make standing, turning and lying down harder for a dog with reduced mobility. Secure runners or other non-slip surfaces can make frequently used routes easier to navigate.
Reduce difficult jumps and steps
Ramps or stable intermediate steps may help with vehicles, furniture or level changes when a large jump has become uncomfortable.
Make rest and toileting access easier
Comfortable bedding, easier routes outdoors and fewer unnecessary stairs can reduce effort around essential daily activities.
Keep activity appropriate rather than eliminating it
Movement remains important, but the amount and intensity may need to change. Shorter, steadier activity that the dog recovers from comfortably can be more suitable than occasional strenuous exercise.
Reduced movement is not automatically normal ageing
Arthritis and chronic pain are common in senior dogs. Persistent stiffness, limping, reluctance to move, difficulty rising or a major change in gait should be discussed with a veterinarian.