Signs Your Senior Pet May Have Mobility Issues
Just like people, pets can develop mobility problems as they age. Unfortunately, your pet can't complain about an achy hip or tell you that jumping on the couch has become difficult due to painful arthritis. Although pets tend to hide pain, you might notice a few changes in your furry friend's behavior or actions due to mobility issues.
How Can You Tell if Your Pet Has a Mobility Problem
These signs could mean that your pet is struggling with mobility:
- Walking Slowly
- Lagging Behind on Walks
- Limping
- Favoring One Leg
- Difficulty Jumping or Hesitating Before Jumping
- Avoiding Climbing Stairs
- Seeming Stiff, Particularly in the Morning or After Resting
- Trouble Getting Up After Sitting or Lying Down
- Slipping on Floors or Smooth Surfaces
- Posture Changes or Gait Changes
- Swollen Muscles
- Loss of Muscle Mass
- Stumbling or Clumsiness
- Litterbox Issues (Missing the litterbox or not reaching the litterbox in time)
- Whining, Panting, Yelping or Hissing When Moving
- Lack of Interest in Playing or Exercising
- Irritability
- Weight Gain Due to Lack of Activity
- Walking Up the Stairs at an Angle
- Wear and Tear on Some Nails or Foot Pads But Not Others
dvm360 suggests evaluating a pet's appearance and posture when looking for signs of mobility issues. Your pet may lean forward, or its limbs may not be aligned correctly when it sits or stands. Sinking of the hindquarters could be a sign of weakness or pain and may occur with or without low tail carriage, according to dvm360.
Causes of Mobility Issues in Pets
Mobility issues can affect any pet, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals. After years of walking and jumping, your pet may develop osteoarthritis. The condition happens when the rubbery cartilage at the end of bones is damaged or wears away. As cartilage decreases, the bones in a joint rub together, triggering pain and stiffness. About 20% of dogs suffer from arthritis, according to the American Kennel Club.
Although arthritis isn't diagnosed in cats as often, felines still develop arthritis. Since cats tend not to limp despite being in pain, it can be harder to spot arthritis. An article published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2020 noted that estimates for arthritis in cats range from 16.5% to 91%.
In addition to arthritis, other causes of mobility problems include:
- Hip Dysplasia. Hip dysplasia happens when the bones in the hip joint don't fit together properly.
- Injuries. Broken bones, sprains, ligament tears, and other injuries may affect mobility.
- Obesity. Extra pounds strain muscles and joints, leading to discomfort and trouble moving easily.
- Neurological Conditions. Tumors, strokes, infections, conditions, and diseases that affect the brain, nerves, or spine may interfere with mobility.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). IVDD happens when the discs that cushion the vertebrae in the spine break down, stiffen, or rupture.
- Infections. Infections caused by Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases may cause lameness and mobility issues.
What to Do About Your Pet's Mobility Issues
It's a good idea to schedule a visit with the veterinarian if you notice any of the mobility signs mentioned above. Your veterinarian will perform an examination and may order X-rays or other tests to determine the source of your pet's mobility issues. Treatment for mobility issues depends on the diagnosis, but may include:
- Pain Medication
- Drugs to Treat Inflammation or Infections
- Physical Therapy (may include special exercises, swimming or laser therapy)
- Joint Supplements
- Special Weight Loss Diets
- Surgery (in severe cases)
Your veterinarian can also recommend tips that will make your pet more comfortable, such as using elevated food bowls to reduce back or neck strain, swapping your cat's litterbox for one with lower sides, or switching to heated pet beds.
Do you think your pet may have a mobility issue? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian.
Sources:
Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: A Little Support Can Go A Long Way: Mobility Care And Rehabilitation, 7/23/2021
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/dog-mobility-issues/
dvm360: Addressing Mobility in Animals, 9/29/2023
https://www.dvm360.com/view/addressing-mobility-in-animals
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association: Nutrition and Neutraceuticals in the Changing Management of Osteoarthritis for Dogs and Cats, 6/15/2020
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/256/12/javma.256.12.1335.xml
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association: Getting Ahead of Osteoarthritis in Pets, 1/1/2021
https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2021-01-01/getting-ahead-osteoarthritis-pets
American Kennel Club: How to Manage the Symptoms of Canine Arthritis, 12/5/2025
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dealing-with-canine-arthritis/
U.S. Food & Drug Administration: Osteoarthritis in Cats: More Common Than You Think, 2/18/25
American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation: Relieving Pain, Restoring Joy: A New Approach to Canine Osteoarthritis, 8/13/2025
