Aging can bring physical changes that affect how dogs and cats move, play, and interact with their surroundings. Veterinary research shows that mobility changes are common among senior pets, but aging itself is not considered a disease. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) notes that senior status varies according to species, breed, size, and expected lifespan, meaning there is no single age at which every dog or cat becomes a senior.
One of the conditions associated with reduced mobility in older pets is osteoarthritis. AAHA’s senior-care guidelines identify decreased mobility related to arthritis as an issue commonly evaluated in senior dogs and cats. The guidelines also report that studies have found osteoarthritis in more than 60% of senior cats in at least one joint, even when obvious joint changes are not present during a physical examination.
Mobility changes can appear in several ways. Veterinary professionals evaluate factors such as how a pet walks, moves around its environment, plays, jumps, and performs normal activities. Changes in movement can also be associated with chronic pain, which may be subtle and difficult to recognize. AAHA notes that videos showing a pet moving in its normal home environment can provide additional information when evaluating mobility and musculoskeletal conditions.
Aging can also involve changes beyond the joints and muscles. The 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines describe senior care as multifaceted, including consideration of mobility, pain, behavior, nutrition, dental health, chronic diseases, and environmental factors. This reflects the increasingly comprehensive approach used in veterinary medicine when evaluating the health and quality of life of aging pets.
Current veterinary guidance also recognizes that senior pets do not all age in the same way. Some animals maintain normal mobility and activity well into their later years, while others experience changes associated with arthritis, chronic disease, or other age-related conditions. If you notice changes in mobility with your senior pet, consider a veterinary assessment to increase their comfort and quality of life in their later years.
Sources:
American Animal Hospital Association. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
American Animal Hospital Association. Evaluating the Healthy Senior Pet.
American Animal Hospital Association. Pain Management.
