Mobility decline in senior dogs from arthritis and muscle loss is a major source of chronic pain that is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in aging companion animals.
Senior dog arthritis is the most prevalent source of chronic pain in companion animals and among the most undertreated. The combination of dogs hiding pain behavior and owner misattribution of reduced activity to normal aging means millions of dogs spend their later years in preventable discomfort. The treatment landscape has improved dramatically — effective NSAIDs, joint supplements with evidence of efficacy, hydrotherapy, and environmental modification all reduce pain and improve function. The welfare message is that reduced activity and reluctance to climb stairs in an older dog are not normal aging — they are pain signs requiring veterinary assessment and intervention.