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Mobility Disorders in Pets

What conditions can cause mobility disorders in pets?

Mobility issues develop secondary to many medical conditions, including:

A pet with a mobility disorder may have a weak or wobbly gait, or be completely unable to move. 

How can a mobility disorder affect my pet’s quality of life?

The severity of your pet’s mobility disorder will greatly affect their quality of life. Pets with a wobbly gait or mild weakness can generally enjoy most of their favorite things, but may need a little help with jumping onto the couch or using the stairs. Severe mobility disorders that lead to paralysis can be difficult for pet owners to manage, and can greatly impact a pet’s quality of life, both mentally and physically. Pets who are unable to move their body in a natural way may have difficulty urinating, having bowel movements, and interacting with family and housemates, which can make them unsure of their place in the household.  

How can I manage my pet’s mobility disorder at home?

If your pet is suffering from impaired mobility, these management tips may help improve their quality of life:

  • Place bath or yoga mats around the house where your pet travels most.

  • Make the bottom level of a multi-story home your pet's "home," so they don’t have to go up and down the stairs often. If they can't avoid steps or a staircase, provide good traction or assist your pet. 

  • Ensure your pet’s water and food bowls are in locations they can easily access. Dehydration is very common and dangerous in older pets, and providing multiple water bowls throughout the house is helpful. If you normally feed your cat on an elevated surface to keep your dog from eating the food, lower it to an easily accessible location, and barricade the dog out.

  • Provide low-sided litter boxes for your cat, as they may struggle to lift their legs high enough to step into a box with high sides. A thin layer of litter may also help your cat feel more stable, as older cats often sink into deep litter.

  • Use ramps to provide access to beds, couches, or other favorite spots. 

  • Take frequent trips outside or provide an indoor area where your pet is allowed to eliminate. Puppy pads near a door or artificial turf made for this purpose are excellent choices, and can help your pet physically and emotionally—they know they are not supposed to eliminate inside, and feel guilty when they have accidents, but often cannot help it. As frustrating as accidents may be, never punish your senior pet when they happen.

  • Use a beard clipper to remove the fur around your pet’s toes to expose their pads and provide better traction.

  • Exercise is important for maintaining your pet’s strength, flexibility, and muscle mass, so engage in low-impact activity at least once per day.

  • Invest in mobility aid products, such as:

    • PawFriction — a paw pad coating that decreases sliding on slick floors, increases mobility, and decreases injury risk

    • ToeGrips — non-slip grips that fit on your dog’s toenails to enable instant traction and improved mobility

    • Dog booties — shoes that help dogs with grip and traction on loose, rocky terrain, on ice and snow, and on other wet or slick surfaces

    • Help ’Em Up Harness — a complete shoulder and hip harness system that literally lifts the lives of aging or recovering dogs

When should I seek veterinary help for my pet’s mobility disorder?

If your pet has a chronic condition, you should maintain close contact with your family veterinarian about their progress and management. Contact your family veterinarian in these situations:

  • If your pet’s mobility appears to be declining

  • If your pet is painful, indicated by rapid breathing or heart rate, whining, reluctance to be touched, or irritability

  • If your pet loses their bladder or bowel control

Your family veterinarian may have additional management tips, or may prescribe pain-relieving medication or joint supplements, to better manage their condition.

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