Does Getting Older Automatically Mean Your Pet Is in Pain?

Not necessarily. Getting older is not a disease, and not every senior pet will experience pain. However, as pets age, the risk of joint degeneration, osteoarthritis, muscle loss, and other health problems can increase.

Osteoarthritis, in particular, can easily be mistaken for normal aging: “They’re just old, so of course they’re moving a little slower.”

For example: They used to play fetch with you every day. Now they play for five minutes and lie down. They used to jump onto the bed every day. Now they no longer jump. They used to fly up and down the stairs. Now they take them one step at a time. These changes are worth paying attention to.

🚩 10 Often-Overlooked Signs of Pain

① They Suddenly Slow Down on the Stairs

They used to race up the stairs like a rocket.

Now: One step → pause → another step.

Some pets may even start avoiding the stairs altogether. If this is a gradual change, it could be a sign that going up or down the stairs has become uncomfortable.

② They Stop Jumping Onto the Couch or Bed

This is an especially easy sign to overlook. You might think: “They’re just getting lazy.”

But if your pet used to love jumping and now:

• Hesitates beside the bed
• Jumps much less often
• Needs you to lift them up
• Is especially careful when jumping down
• Or stops jumping altogether

…it’s worth paying attention.

Being unwilling to do something they used to do may be more meaningful than simply moving slower.

③ Getting Up Takes Much Longer

You call: “Come on, let’s go!” But your pet doesn’t get up right away.

They roll over first. Stretch. Push themselves up with their front legs. And finally, slowly stand. If it takes noticeably longer for your pet to get up from a lying position—especially after waking up—it may be a sign of joint or muscle discomfort.

④ They Sleep More, but That Doesn’t Necessarily Mean They Just Love Sleeping More

Senior pets may naturally sleep more than they did when they were younger. So, sleeping a lot by itself doesn’t necessarily mean your pet is in pain.

What’s more important is whether their overall activity level has changed.

For example: They used to look for you when they wanted to play, walk around the house, and come running when they heard the leash.

Now: They spend most of the day lying down, don’t seem interested in walks, stop playing quickly, and interact with you less. 

These changes in their normal behavior are worth noticing.

⑤ They Start Avoiding Certain Positions

You may notice that your pet:

• Doesn’t want to sit down
• Doesn’t want to lie down
• Rarely changes position once lying down
• Has difficulty getting back up
• Doesn’t like being picked up
• Avoids certain movements

Don’t automatically assume: “They’re old, so they’re just stiff.” Stiffness itself can be a sign that something deserves a closer look.

⑥ Their Grooming Habits Change

This can be especially easy to miss in cats. Cats naturally spend a lot of time grooming themselves. But if certain joints or parts of their body are uncomfortable, they may have trouble maintaining their usual grooming routine.

You may notice:

• Their coat looks messier than usual
• Certain areas start becoming matted
• They groom themselves less often
• Or, on the other hand, they repeatedly lick one specific area

If your cat’s grooming habits suddenly change, it’s worth paying attention.

⑦ Their Walks Suddenly Get Shorter

Before: “A walk? Let’s go!”

Now: Walk a little. Stop. Walk a little more.

Finally: “Let’s go home.”

If your dog suddenly doesn’t want to walk as far as they used to or their overall activity level has decreased, it may not simply be because they’re “getting old” or “less active.” Joint or muscle discomfort may also make them less willing to move.

⑧ Their Walking Pattern Changes

Take a closer look at how your pet walks around the house.

Do you notice:

• Limping
• Shorter steps
• Stiff movements
• Putting less weight on one leg
• Moving especially slowly when getting started
• Walking more normally only after they’ve been moving for a while

If these changes continue, it’s a good idea to have your veterinarian evaluate them.

⑨ They Suddenly Avoid Certain Floors

This one can leave pet parents wondering: “They used to run across this floor. Why are they suddenly standing there?”

For pets experiencing joint discomfort or muscle weakness, slippery floors may feel unstable. This can include:

• Hardwood floors
• Tile
• Marble
• Other smooth or slippery surfaces

If your pet starts walking very carefully or avoids certain areas of the house, ask yourself: “Is it that they don’t want to walk there, or that they don’t feel confident walking there?”

⑩ Their Personality Suddenly Changes

Pain doesn’t always show up as a change in the way your pet walks.

Some pets may become:

• More irritable than usual
• Less comfortable being touched
• More likely to hide
• Less interested in interacting with family
• More easily disturbed while sleeping
• Less patient with other pets

If a normally gentle pet suddenly becomes defensive or resists being touched, don’t automatically assume: “They’re just getting grumpy.” But pain can also affect behavior.

A Simple Way to Tell: Compare “Before” and “Now”

Don’t just ask: “Can my pet still run?” Instead, ask: “How are they different from their old selves?”

Before	Now
Loved jumping onto the couch	Rarely jumps
Went up and down stairs independently	Walks very slowly
Loved long walks	Wants to go home quickly
Groomed frequently	Grooms less
Got up quickly	Takes a long time to stand
Loved being touched	Starts resisting touch
Loved playing with toys	Plays briefly, then rests

If you notice more than one change, and those changes continue over time, it’s worth discussing them with your veterinarian.

The Good News: You Don’t Have to Wait Until Your Pet Is “Really Hurting” to Make Their Home More Comfortable

If you have a senior pet, there are plenty of small changes you can make around the house right now.

You don’t need to turn your home into a rehabilitation center. Start with a few simple adjustments.

1. Use a Pet Ramp Instead of Jumping

If your dog regularly jumps onto the bed, couch, or into the car, consider using a pet ramp or pet stairs.

This can give them a lower-impact way to get up and down. For senior pets who are already becoming less willing to jump, reducing unnecessary jumping may make everyday movement more comfortable.

2. Add Non-Slip Mats to Slippery Areas

This is one of the simplest changes you can make. Consider adding non-slip mats or rugs around:

• Hallways
• Near stairs
• Around food and water bowls
• Your pet’s most frequently traveled paths
• Around their sleeping area

Tip: You don’t have to cover the entire house. Start by observing where your pet walks most often and add traction to those “high-traffic” areas first.

3. Consider the Height of Their Food and Water Bowls

If your pet has to keep their head lowered for a long time while eating, you may want to consider whether their bowl height is comfortable. However, there is no single “ideal height” that works for every dog or cat.

Don’t automatically switch to an extra-tall bowl simply because your pet is getting older.

Instead, observe:

• Whether they seem comfortable while eating
• Whether they have to bend their neck excessively
• Whether their eating position appears difficult or uncomfortable

If needed, talk with your veterinarian about the bowl height and style that may work best for your pet.

4. Give Them a Comfortable Bed That’s Easy to Get In and Out Of

Senior pets may benefit from a sleeping area that has: A low entry, good support, and easy access.

If the bed is too high, your pet may have to jump into it. If it is too soft, getting back up may also become more difficult. So instead of focusing on finding the “softest” bed possible, think: Support + easy access.

5. Don’t Stop Activity Completely

When pet parents notice that their pet is slowing down, the first thought may be: “Maybe I should just let them rest more.”

Rest is certainly important. But completely stopping activity isn’t necessarily the best approach. If your veterinarian confirms that activity is appropriate, try to maintain low-impact, moderate, and regular movement.

For example:

• Shorter, slower walks
• Fewer trips up and down the stairs
• Avoiding sudden sprints or sharp turns
• Adjusting activity time based on your pet’s abilities

The goal isn’t: “Make them exercise as much as possible.”

It’s: “Help them stay active within a comfortable range.”

Where Can You Start With Everyday Joint Care?

Joint care usually isn’t about taking something today and expecting your pet to feel completely different tomorrow.

A better approach is: Long-term, well-rounded daily care.

Along with maintaining a healthy weight and appropriate activity, you can also talk with your veterinarian about whether joint-supporting nutrition may be appropriate for your pet.

Common nutritional approaches may include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• EPA
• DHA
• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Other joint-supporting nutrients recommended by your veterinarian

Keep in mind: Supplements are not pain medication and should not replace veterinary care. 

If your pet is already showing obvious signs of pain, the most important step is to identify the underlying cause and get appropriate veterinary evaluation.

For dogs, Get Naked® Joint Health Dog Dental Chew can be an easy way to incorporate joint-supporting nutrition into their everyday dental care routine. It is designed to provide functional nutritional support while your dog enjoys a dental chew.

Weight Management Is Also an Important Part of Senior Joint Care

This is easy to overlook. When joints are already under stress, extra weight may make movement more difficult. 

That’s why everyday care for senior pets should consider: How much they eat + how much they move + how their weight changes over time.

Treats also count toward their daily calorie intake. “Just one little treat” may not seem like much, but several treats a day can add up.

If you use treats for training or everyday rewards, consider choosing options that fit your pet’s size and calorie needs, and keep an eye on the total amount they receive each day.

For dogs who need a treat option that fits into a weight-conscious routine, Get Naked® Weight Management Dog Dental Chew Sticks can help support everyday weight management while also providing dental chewing time. As with any treat, remember to consider the calories from treats as part of your dog’s overall daily intake.

When Should You Take Your Pet to the Veterinarian?

If you notice any of the following, don’t simply assume it’s part of getting older.

• Suddenly unable to walk or stand
• Noticeable limping
• Sudden or severe pain
• Completely unwilling to move
• Strongly resisting being touched in a particular area
• Sudden major changes in behavior
• Pain that continues or gets worse

Especially when symptoms appear suddenly, don’t assume they are simply caused by age. 

Your veterinarian can perform a physical examination and, when necessary, use imaging or other diagnostic tests to determine whether the problem involves the joints, muscles, bones, or another underlying health issue.

N-Bone Pet Tip | Senior Care Isn’t Just About Waiting Until They’re Old

Caring for a senior pet shouldn’t begin only after they are already showing obvious signs of discomfort.

Many things can start with everyday care: Maintaining a healthy weight, encouraging appropriate activity, creating a comfortable home environment, and providing nutrition that fits their needs.

For senior dogs, Get Naked® Senior Health Dental Dog Chew Sticks can be part of their everyday care routine, providing a functional treat option designed with the needs of senior dogs in mind.

Our products are also designed to support pets at different life stages and with different everyday needs, including functional nutritional support for joint and senior care. When choosing everyday treats, you can also consider your pet’s age, size, and individual needs to find options that fit their lifestyle.

Because senior care isn’t just about helping our pets live longer, it’s about helping them enjoy life comfortably at every age. 

Final Thought: They’re Not “Just Getting Old”

The next time you notice your pet: Taking the stairs a little more slowly, no longer jumping onto the couch, taking longer to get up, or wanting to head home after a short walk...

Don’t immediately think: “They’re old. That’s normal.”

Instead, ask yourself: “Are they avoiding something because it makes them uncomfortable?”

Because your pet can’t tell you: “My joints hurt.”

They may simply: Stop jumping. Stop running. Walk more slowly. Stop wanting to be touched.

And those small changes may be their way of trying to tell you something. Aging is a natural part of life, but pain shouldn’t be ignored.

Adding a non-slip mat, a ramp, or a comfortable bed, or simply taking a few extra minutes to observe how your pet moves today may help make everyday life a little more comfortable. Because true senior care isn’t about making your pet act like they’re young again. It’s about helping them comfortably enjoy the things they love at the age they are now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does a pet walking more slowly always mean they have arthritis?

Not necessarily.

Age-related changes, joint problems, muscle loss, pain, and other health conditions can all affect a pet’s activity level.

If the change continues, it’s a good idea to have your veterinarian evaluate the underlying cause.

Q2: Should older dogs stop using stairs?

Not every senior dog needs to completely avoid stairs.

However, if your dog is having difficulty going up or down, moving noticeably slower, or showing signs of discomfort, you may want to reduce stair use and consider a ramp or other environmental adjustments.

Q3: Is it normal for an older cat to stop jumping?

A decrease in activity can be related to age, but it may also be associated with joint pain, reduced muscle strength, or other health issues.

If a cat that used to jump frequently suddenly stops jumping, it’s worth monitoring the change and discussing it with your veterinarian.

Q4: Do senior pets need joint supplements?

Not every pet needs them.

Joint-supporting supplements can be part of everyday care for some pets, but the right choice should depend on your pet’s age, weight, diet, and overall health. When in doubt, talk with your veterinarian first.

Q5: Can non-slip mats really help senior pets?

For pets that have difficulty maintaining traction on smooth floors, adding more grip can make their environment easier to navigate.

Consider adding non-slip surfaces along their most frequently used paths, around food and water bowls, and near their sleeping area.

Q6: How can I tell if my pet is simply tired or actually in pain?

It can be difficult to tell based on a single behavior.

What matters more is whether your pet has developed consistent changes compared with their normal behavior. For example, no longer jumping, moving more slowly on stairs, taking shorter walks, having difficulty getting up, grooming differently, or resisting touch.

If these changes continue or become more noticeable, have your veterinarian evaluate your pet.

Looking for more options? Check out our full collection of Get Naked® Dog Treats and Get Naked® Cat Treats to find more functional treats and chews designed for your pet’s everyday needs.