Movement is an essential part of a dog’s everyday life. Walking, playing and climbing stairs are activities we usually take for granted. But what happens when something begins to change? Joint and musculoskeletal problems do not always appear suddenly. The first changes are often small and gradual and can easily be attributed to age. This is why observing a dog’s behaviour and mobility in everyday life is so important: recognising a change early allows for prompt veterinary assessment and intervention.

Six changes in mobility worth watching for

Joint conditions such as osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia do not always present in the same way in every dog. Sometimes there is obvious lameness, while in other cases the signs are much more subtle. We do not need to wait for severe pain or pronounced limping before recognising that something may have changed.

1. A change in the way your dog walks or moves

The change may be obvious, such as lameness, meaning that the dog is limping, or it may be very subtle. For example, we may notice a different walking pace, a shorter stride, difficulty turning or simply that our dog “does not move the way they used to”.

2. Stiffness and difficulty getting up

One of the most common changes is difficulty rising from a lying position after a long period of rest or after sleep. The dog may get up more slowly, place more weight on the front limbs, as though pulling the body forward, appear stiff and take small, hesitant steps at first. After moving for a short while and as the joints “warm up”, movement may become smoother.

3. Hesitation on stairs and when jumping

A dog who until recently jumped onto the sofa, got into the car or used the stairs without hesitation may gradually begin to avoid these movements. The dog may pause before jumping, go up or down the stairs more slowly, stop more frequently or need greater encouragement. These changes may indicate that movements the dog once performed comfortably have become less comfortable.

4. Changes during walks and play

Sometimes the first sign is not an obvious difficulty with movement, but a change in the dog’s willingness to be active. The dog may still go for walks but move more slowly, stop more often or tire sooner. They may no longer initiate play, may stop playing more quickly or may prefer to lie down rather than follow their guardian. At this point, comparing the dog’s current behaviour with their own previous behaviour is particularly important. A dog who was generally active but gradually begins to limit their own activity is providing us with information that deserves further investigation.

5. Changes in posture and rest

We may notice changes in the way the dog stands and distributes weight across the limbs. The dog may hesitate before sitting or lying down, lower themselves more slowly and carefully, or even “drop” towards one side or appear to have difficulty finding a comfortable position. They may also change position frequently or have greater difficulty getting up again.

6. Changes in behaviour and response to touch

A dog experiencing discomfort or pain may persistently lick or chew at a joint or become particularly sensitive to touch, avoiding contact, reacting strongly or growling. The dog may also begin to withdraw, become less social or avoid activities they previously enjoyed.

A dog does not need to display all of these changes at the same time for us to suspect a mobility problem. In some cases, there may be only one subtle change, while in others several or more pronounced changes may be observed. It is equally important to understand that these signs are not specific to one particular condition. They may occur with different orthopaedic or musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament rupture and patellar luxation, among others. Changes in movement may also be associated with problems involving the spine or nervous system. For this reason, a change from what is normal for that individual dog is more significant than any single symptom in isolation.

If a dog who until recently got up easily, climbed stairs and entered the car without hesitation gradually begins to avoid these movements, that change deserves our attention.

Could it simply be age?

It is easy to attribute reduced activity or stiffness to age, particularly in an older dog. An older dog may indeed move more slowly than they did in the past. However, ageing does not mean that difficulty moving or pain should simply be accepted as normal. Joint problems are also not limited to older dogs. Some dogs may have a greater likelihood of developing musculoskeletal problems because of genetic or breed-related predisposition, developmental orthopaedic conditions, previous injuries or excess body weight.

What can a dog guardian do in everyday life?

Dog guardians have an important advantage: they see their dogs in their natural environment every day. This means they may notice small changes that are not always easy to detect during a short veterinary appointment. There is no need to search for symptoms every day. It is enough to be familiar with how our own dog normally moves and behaves.

If we notice a change, a short video from the dog’s everyday routine can be particularly useful. For example, we can record how the dog gets up, walks, sits or climbs stairs. A video allows the veterinarian to observe the dog’s movement in their natural environment, especially when the specific behaviour is not displayed during the examination.

When is it time to speak to a veterinarian?

We do not need to wait until our dog begins to limp severely or stops walking. It is advisable to contact our veterinarian when we notice a new, persistent or progressively worsening change in the dog’s mobility or behaviour.

Similarly, a sudden and pronounced change, such as severe lameness, an inability to bear weight on a limb, intense pain or a problem that appeared following an injury, requires immediate veterinary assessment.

Good mobility begins with early observation

Joint care does not begin only after a problem appears. Maintaining a healthy body weight, providing appropriate and controlled exercise, arranging regular veterinary check-ups and, of course, recognising changes early can all help support a dog’s mobility and quality of life.

Perhaps the most useful tool is already in the guardian’s hands: daily observation. The first sign is often not something dramatic. It may be a small change that can easily go unnoticed: “They do not do it the way they used to.”

Sources

Belshaw, Z., Dean, R. & Asher, L. (2020). Could it be osteoarthritis? How dog owners and veterinary surgeons describe identifying canine osteoarthritis in a general practice setting. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 185, 105198. PubMed.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Osteoarthritis. vet.cornell.edu