Why is my senior dog struggling to climb stairs? Is it arthritis?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | 26 lbs
My dog has stopped climbing the stairs. She is 11 years old and a King Charles cavalier. She is happy to be carried up or go up one stair at a time and happily runs down as normal. Could she have injured her leg or is it just old age?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 23rd, 2018
In senior dogs, arthritis is common and that could be causing Poppy's reluctance to climb the stairs. It may be painful for her. I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose if she is suffering from arthritis, and can give her some pain meds for it. Rimadyl (an NSAID) is a good drug to give to help with the symptoms of arthritis. I also recommend giving her glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate supplements. They provide the necessary nutrients for cartilage repair and function. Use of them helps relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis, and you can use it in conjuction with Rimadyl to help maximize relief from her symptoms. Good luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on April 10th, 2018
Poor Maggie! If she is an older girl, she could be suffering from arthritis. Arthritis is common in older dogs. I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose if she is suffering from arthritis, and can give her some pain meds for it. Rimadyl (an NSAID) is a good drug to give to help with the symptoms of arthritis. I also recommend giving her glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate supplements. They provide the necessary nutrients for cartilage repair and function. Use of them helps relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis, and you can use it in conjunction with Rimadyl to help maximize relief from her symptoms. While at the vet, they can treat the sore on her foot as well. I would call the vet today to make an appointment. Best of luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on October 15th, 2018
I am sorry to hear about your sweet dog. There are many options for pain relief that are not narcotic pain medication. These include Omega Fatty Acid supplements such as Welactin, Glucosamine Chondroitin joint supplements such as Dasuquin, glycosaminoglycan injections (Adequan), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acupuncture, laser therapy, and more. I would recommend having your vet examine her and discuss the multitude of options for treatment. There are some vets available that do offer more holistic approaches as well, so you can find out if there is a holistic vet in your area. You can read more about treatments at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951467
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on April 21st, 2017
It could be that Minnie is suffering from arthritis, which is very common in senior dogs. She could have have degenerative problems with her hips, spine, or joints. I would take Minnie into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose if she is suffering from arthritis or degenerative joint disease, and can give hr some pain meds for it. Rimadyl (an NSAID) is a good drug to give to help with the symptoms of arthritis. I also recommend giving her glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate supplements. They provide the necessary nutrients for cartilage repair and function. Use of them helps relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis and joint problems, and you can use it in conjuction with Rimadyl to help maximize relief from her symptoms.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
my dog woke up this morning and all was normal she got off the bed and couldnt get back up had ok down the stairs but up she quit half way could not again the bed without help she went out normally pee and poop and ate ok other than weak legs she ap
My dog is acting weird today. I'm not the one how is taking care of her but my parents do. So, my dog she usually takes her like 7 sec for her to get downstairs, but today her steps looked like were unsure or painful and I needed to make her to get d
My husband and I are at a total loss of what to do. Pippin is our beagle and he is 9 years old. 2 years ago he started moving slow and having trouble moving up the stairs. I'll go through each vet experience in case anyone eyes a source of what's ha
Maggie is are oldest and she is having problem walking getting up from when she was sitting or laying down do you know anything to help her she all time trys to get on the bed but it really hurts her and she was abuse by like touching her so we can n
my 11 yrs old dog struggles going upstairs he goes up one step then goes back circles and tries again time after time other times he will just go stright up but he does not have this problem going down
My dog is a 12 year old Labrador who has been quite listless, won’t hold her head up and has trouble climbing onto things. Blood tests have come back clear. She was on ant inflammatory meds which seemed to help.
5 yr old mixed spayed female normally strong healthy has difficulty getting up, slught stiffness observed over last 48 hrs.
Today my dog was running and exercising as usual but tonight she began having troubles getting on the beds, climbing stairs and other furniture. She cries like jumping or these kind movements were painful... Ehat could this be? what should I do?
Hi I have dog named Rose for the paday she has not been wanting to do that much and she is walking in a crouched position and has trouble getting up the steps to the porch.
Hello, I was told that my 9 y/o girl has arthritis. She still fetches and climbs up and down stairs without signs of pain. Judging from the Xray, how are her hips and knees? I would like an opinion on how advanced is the arthritis. Please see attachm
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
