The Gray Muzzle Ledger / Signs of pain and arthritis in older dogs and cats
Signs of pain and arthritis in older dogs and cats
Quick answerStiffness, reluctance to jump or climb, and slowness to rise can be signs of pain, not just aging. Cats often hide it. Note what changed and when, record a short video, and ask your vet about pain assessment.
Keep your senior pet’s whole story in your pocketPawLine keeps a health profile, daily notes and medication schedule for each pet, and lets you email the records to your vet.Every good day, on the record. Free to download. Try it free, no payment info needed, then decide after the trial.What is PawLine? An AI-powered pet health app whose answers draw on published veterinary research, including sources like PubMed. Ask health questions any hour, get emergency triage and first-aid steps, set medication reminders, keep a profile and daily notes for each pet and email them to your vet, and find nearby vets. Try it free for 30 days with no payment info needed; after the trial, continued access is an in-app purchase (weekly or yearly). Guidance only, not a diagnosis.
Changes worth writing down
- Slow to rise, or stiff after rest
- Trouble with stairs, the car or the couch; a cat that stops jumping to favorite spots
- Shorter walks, lagging behind, or less play
- Licking one joint, limping, or an altered posture
- Irritability when touched, or hiding
- Missing the litter box edge, or accidents near the box
Cats hide it
The AAHA senior guidelines say studies indicate more than 60% of cats have osteoarthritis in at least one joint, even though the exam often finds no joint crepitus the way it can in dogs. A cat that “just got lazy” may be in pain.
Every good day, on the record. Get PawLine on the App Store · Get it on Google Play
Make a short video
AAHA says owner videos of a pet walking, jumping or climbing help the veterinarian spot early musculoskeletal or nerve problems. Film from the side, on a non-slip floor, in good light. Date it.
Never give human pain medicine
Do not give an older pet human pain relievers or your own supplements without asking a veterinarian. Interactions and toxicity are a risk, and the AAHA guidelines specifically warn about drug and supplement interactions in senior pets.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my old dog is in pain?
Look for slowness to rise, stiffness, reduced play, licking a joint, irritability or changes in posture, then discuss with your vet. AAHA’s pain guidelines emphasize behavioral observation by owners.
Sources
- 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (PDF) https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/globalassets/02-guidelines/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/resources/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats.pdf
- 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats https://www.aaha.org/resources/2022-aaha-pain-management-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/
- AAHA pain management: "Slow to rise" owner handout (PDF) https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/globalassets/02-guidelines/2022-pain-management/resources/aaha-pain-management-pet-owner.pdf
More from The Gray Muzzle Ledger
Good days: a quality of life self-check for older petsA gentle seven-category scale (HHHHHMM, by Dr. Alice Villalobos) to notice changes and bring notes to your vet.Dog years calculator: dog age in human yearsConvert your dog’s age to human years with the UC Davis formula, 16 × ln(dog age) + 31. Why the old ×7 rule is wrong.When is a dog or cat considered senior?What “senior” means in the AAHA guidelines: the last 25% of a dog’s expected lifespan, and over 10 years for cats.How often should a senior pet see the vet?AAHA recommends a senior workup once or twice a year, with lab work every 6 to 12 months. What to ask and bring.