
Author TB Thompson DVM has been a licensed, practicing veterinarian since 2000.
I remember the first time my dog, Finn, couldn’t make it up the stairs. My heart sunk as I realized he was entering a new era in his life. But I was also hopeful because I know a lot of ways to help older dogs with mobility issues.
I don’t want other dog parents to feel helpless when their senior dogs face similar challenges. So in this article, you’ll learn practical tips to improve senior dog mobility so they can enjoy a better quality of life. As a veterinarian who has personally navigated these challenges with my own pets, I’ve learned the value of these techniques.
It’s important to remember that every dog is unique. It’s possible to make your dog’s situation worse with inappropriate exercises. Consult your veterinarian to get personalized guidance before starting any new exercise or treatment program.
KEY POINTS
- Early detection and veterinary guidance are essential for managing mobility issues in senior dogs.
- Tailored home exercises and assistive devices can significantly enhance a senior dog’s quality of life.
- Combining pain management strategies with gentle physical therapy offers a comprehensive approach to improving mobility.
Understanding Your Senior Dog’s Movement Challenges
Just like humans, our canine companions experience wear and tear as they age. This can lead to various mobility problems that affect their ability to climb stairs, run in the park, or even just get up from their nap.
The most common culprit of stiffness in senior dogs is arthritis, a degenerative joint disease causing inflammation and pain. Other contributors include muscle weakness, often due to reduced activity, and neurological issues that impact nerve function and coordination.
Don’t despair! While age-related changes are inevitable, early detection, veterinary guidance, and proactive home interventions can significantly improve your senior dog’s mobility and keep them enjoying an active, happy life.
4 Home Exercises to Improve Senior Dog Mobility
There are a few important things to check before you start a program to improve your dog’s mobility.
First, get a diagnosis from your veterinarian so you know your dog’s limitations. Second, treat your dog’s pain as directed by your vet. Third, discuss your rehabilitation plans with your vet to make sure the exercises are appropriate for your dog.
Now, let’s move on to some practical tips!
1. Simple Stretches:
When my dogs started getting stiffer, I used this great book The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog, written by a physical therapist. The author guides you techniques to manually stretch your dog’s body.
Here are a few more stretches to try:
- Side Stretches: Use a treat to encourage your dog to gently stretch towards their shoulder or hip, enhancing side and neck flexibility.
- Shoulder Stretch: Using an inflatable exercise ball, drape the dog’s front legs over it to provide a gentle shoulder stretch.
- Platform Stretches: Have your dog stand on a low platform to gently stretch their hips, knees, and back. For the hamstrings, position their rear legs on the platform. To stretch shoulders, have them stand with their front legs on the platform.

2. Engaging Activities:
- Obstacle Course Fun: Create a simple course with pillows or toys to guide your dog through, promoting active movement and mental stimulation.
- Dynamic Movements: Encourage squats (sitting to standing) and push-ups (front legs on a raised surface) using treats, helping to strengthen their muscles.
3. Varied Walking Exercises:
- Creative Walking: Include backward walking and walking on different surfaces like sand or leaves to challenge and strengthen their muscles.
- Hill Walking: Gently walk your dog in a zig-zag pattern on slopes or have them walk backward uphill for added strength and balance.
4. Passive Range of Motion Exercises
For dogs with very limited mobility, moving the limbs and joints can help preserve normal function. Check out the video below from the Animal Rehabilitation Center of Michigan.
[VIDEO]
How Long & How Often to Exercise Your Dog
Start with brief sessions of around 5 minutes, a few times a day, and gradually increase the duration as your dog becomes stronger and more comfortable.
Monitor your dog’s response and allow rest if they seem tired or sore afterward.
I noticed that my dog Finn started out strong with his exercises. But as the years went by, he could do less and less before getting tired. Near the end, a 5 minute walk in the neighborhood was about all he could handle.
Assistive Devices: A Helping Hand for Your Senior Dog
Sometimes, our older dogs need a bit of extra help to move around safely. Remember, proper sizing and fitting of assistive devices like harnesses and ramps are important for maximizing their benefit while avoiding harm to your dog.
Here are some simple tools that can make a big difference:
Improve Foot Traction:
Floors can be slippery, and we don’t want our dogs to fall. There are neat things like special booties or sticky paw grips that can help them keep their footing. Imagine putting on your favorite sneakers for a hike – it’s kind of like that for your dog on slippery floors.
- Pawz® Booties: These are like rubber socks that protect your dog’s paws outdoors and provide good grip indoors. Heavier boots like the ones I used called Ruffwear Grip Trex help protect their feet from injury if they drag them.
- Toenail Grips and Paw Grips: These stick onto your dog’s nails or feet to help them grip slick surfaces. Some dogs do great with them, others not so much. Why not give them a try?
- Carpet Runners: Place carpet runners in your home so your dog doesn’t have to walk on slippery hard floors. Works great for dogs who hate having things on their paws. These were lifesavers for my dogs!

Body Support Where Needed:
For dogs that need a bit more support, there are braces and harnesses. These can really help if your dog has trouble with their legs or needs help getting up.
I depended heavily on a body harness with a handle to help my dog get into the car and go up and down the stairs.
- Orthotics and Braces: These can be helpful for dogs with weak wrists or ankles. Be very careful that these are not fitted too tightly or rub your dog’s skin. Get your vet’s advice on whether these would be safe to try for your dog.
- Harnesses for Lifting: There are many options for dog harnesses with handles that let you gently lift and support your dog. I used this one because my dog only needed a little assistance. You can leave it on your dog for long periods of time, but watch out for skin chafing.
- Mobility Carts: For dogs with very weak back legs, carts can be a game-changer. They’re like little wagons that support their back end and let them move around more freely.
Remember, every dog is different. What works for one might not work for another. It’s always a good idea to chat with your vet about what would help your dog the most.
Comprehensive Pain Relief
We’re lucky to have a variety of ways to manage pain in dogs. Vets often find that combining different treatments works better than using just one method.
First, let’s look at therapies that don’t involve drugs:
Non-Drug Pain Relief for Dogs
Therapy | Description |
Ice and Heat Therapy | Ice can reduce inflammation and heat relaxes muscles. |
Laser, Acupuncture, Chiropractic | Alternative therapies that focus on relieving pain, promoting healing and improving mobility. |
Physical Therapy | Physical interventions to restore and maintain normal body function. |
Stem Cell Therapy | Biologic treatment for repairing damaged tissues. Potential to repair tissue damage |
Prescription drugs can provide dogs with immense pain relief. The table below outlines some of the common therapies veterinarians prescribe.
Pain Medications to Improve Dog Mobility
Drug | Description |
NSAIDs (e.g., carprofen, meloxicam) | Commonly prescribed oral medication that reduces pain and inflammation. |
Galliprant® | Special type of oral NSAID for dogs that may cause fewer side effects. |
Gabapentin | Oral med initially used to treat seizures. Now used to treat chronic pain in dogs. |
Amantadine | Oral med originally used as an antiviral. Blocks specific nerve receptors, enhancing other pain relievers. |
Oral Opioids | Strong pain relievers for short-term use for severe pain. Can cause drowsiness and other side effects. |
It’s important to control a dog’s pain before engaging in rehabilitative exercises. Your vet may recommend starting one or more of these drugs before you start your dog’s activity program.
Additional Treatment Pain Relief Options
For some dogs, especially those with more severe issues, there are advanced treatments that can really help.
- Injectable Glycosaminoglycans: Adequan® is an injectable supplement that can help keep your dog’s joints healthy and moving smoothly.
- Topical Treatments: Sometimes, applying medicine directly to the sore spot can provide relief. Lidocaine patches may help in some cases of localized pain that occurs with injuries or cancer.
- Injections for Joints: For dogs with severe joint problems, injections like steroids or cushioning substances can offer relief. For others, platelet-rich plasma can bring long-lasting relief.
- Oral Supplements: fish oil, turmeric and glucosamine are among oral supplements used to treat pain and inflammation in dogs. Some heavily marketed supplements for dogs don’t have enough evidence to support their use. Talk to your vet before buying!
My Personal Journey: Caring for My Senior Dogs
For 15 years, I shared my home with two large, lively dogs.
As they aged, however, I noticed them slowing down, struggling on slippery floors, and hesitating before long walks they once enjoyed. To help them, I explored various techniques like massage, heat and cold therapy, acupuncture, and engaging exercises.
As their pain grew, I introduced medications like NSAIDs, gabapentin, Adequan, and opioids. I even adjusted my home, adding carpets for easier walking and boots for their outdoor adventures.
These efforts were important in maintaining their quality of life as they aged gracefully.
Helpful Resources
Helping a dog with mobility problems brings emotional and physical challenges. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet for help or to provide referral to a specialist. Here are some additional support resources:
- Rehabvets.org is the official website of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians. You will find referrals to vets in your area who have advanced training in helping dogs with mobility issues.
- Senior Dog Care Club is a Facebook support group for caretakers of elderly dogs.
Use a Balanced Approach
Remember, these medical treatments are often used alongside the exercises, therapies, and lifestyle changes we’ve talked about. It’s all about finding the right balance to help your dog live a happy, comfortable life.
Always talk with your vet before starting any new medication or treatment. They know your dog best and can guide you to the right choices for their health and happiness.