How Can Rehabilitation Help Senior Pets?

Dr Jenna, BAnVetBioSci DVM MANZCVS (Canine Rehab & Sports Medicine) CCRP - 9th September 2026

As our pets get older, it’s easy to assume that slowing down is simply part of getting old. They may sleep more, walk a little slower, hesitate before jumping into the car, or take longer to get up from their bed.

But while ageing is a natural process, pain, weakness and loss of mobility should not simply be accepted as an inevitable part of getting older.

Senior pets can benefit enormously from veterinary rehabilitation. With the right combination of exercise, pain management and supportive therapies, rehabilitation can help older pets stay active, comfortable and independent for longer.

Age is not a disease

Getting older is not a disease, and “slowing down” is not always something to put down to age.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is common in senior pets, but signs such as stiffness, difficulty getting up, reluctance to walk and trouble with stairs often indicate pain and reduced physical function, rather than ageing itself.

Rehabilitation can help dogs maintain muscle strength, joint mobility, balance and confidence in everyday activities.

What are the signs of pain in an older pet?

Pets do not always show that they’re in obvious pain. Chronic pain may appear as subtle changes in behaviour or routine, including:

  • Difficulty getting up or lying down

  • Stiffness

  • Walking more slowly or for shorter distances

  • Reluctance to use stairs or jump

  • Reduced interest in playing or interacting

  • Sleeping more than usual

  • Changes in posture, sleeping position, or difficulty getting comfortable

  • Muscle loss or changes in body shape

  • Irritability or reduced tolerance of handling

  • Licking or chewing a particular area

  • Difficulty squatting or getting into position to toilet

When movement becomes uncomfortable, pets may become less active. This can create a cycle where reduced activity leads to muscle loss and weakness, making movement even harder.

Rehabilitation can help break this cycle.

Rehab makes everyday activities easier

The goal is not necessarily to make an older pet behave like a young pet again (although sometimes this does happen!). Instead, we aim to help them move as comfortably and confidently as possible while maintaining their independence.

Here are some ways rehabilitation can help:

1. Improve strength

Ageing, arthritis and reduced activity can all contribute to muscle loss.

A tailored exercise program can help maintain or rebuild strength, particularly in the hind limbs and around arthritic joints. Stronger muscles provide better joint support and make everyday movements easier.

2. Improve mobility

Rehabilitation can help maintain joint range of motion, flexibility, balance and coordination.

This can make everyday activities easier, including getting up from bed, moving around the house, using stairs, getting into the car and going for walks.

3. Support balance and proprioception

Proprioception is a pet’s awareness of where their body and limbs are positioned in space. Age-related weakness, joint discomfort, slower reactions and nervous system changes can all affect balance and body awareness.

Rehabilitation exercises can improve coordination and postural control. This can help dogs move more safely and confidently while reducing the risk of falls.

4. Make everyday activities easier

Rehabilitation helps pets continue participating in the activities that matter to them.

This might include getting up from bed more easily, standing for longer periods, walking around the neighbourhood and playing with family, posturing to toilet more comfortably, using stairs, and moving across slippery surfaces for confidently.

Small improvements can have a big impact on quality of life.

5. Help manage pain

Rehabilitation can form an important part of a multimodal approach to managing chronic pain, particularly in pets with osteoarthritis.

Depending on the individual, it may be combined with medication, weight management, environmental modifications and other veterinary treatments.

The aim is not only to reduce pain, but to help pets move better and stay active while remaining comfortable.

What does rehab in older pets involve?

Every pet is different, so a rehabilitation program should be tailored to their individual needs, health and goals.

Treatment may include a combination of therapies such as:

Home exercise programs

Specific exercises can target strength, balance, flexibility, proprioception and coordination.

These exercises do not need to be complicated. A few carefully selected exercises performed regularly at home can make a meaningful difference over time.

Hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill)

The underwater treadmill supports pets with the buoyancy of water, reducing the load on painful joints while allowing them to work their muscles and practise walking.

Hydrotherapy can be particularly useful for pets who struggle with weight-bearing exercise on land.

Laser therapy

Therapeutic laser may help manage pain and support comfort in pets with musculoskeletal conditions. It is generally used alongside other rehabilitation strategies rather than as a standalone treatment.

Massage

Massage may help relieve muscle tension and provide comfort. For many pets, it is also a relaxing part of their overall pain-management plan.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may help manage chronic pain and support mobility in some senior pets. Like other rehabilitation therapies, it is most effective as part of a broader, individualised treatment plan.

Let us help you keep your senior pets moving

One of the most important things we can do for an ageing pet is keep them moving in a way that suits their body.

The right type and amount of exercise can help maintain muscle, mobility, balance and confidence without aggravating painful joints.

If your pet is slowing down, struggling to get up, reluctant to use stairs or no longer enjoying walks, do not automatically assume it is “just old age.” Ageing is inevitable. Losing mobility and living with unmanaged pain does not have to be.

A veterinary rehabilitation assessment with one of our veterinarians can help identify what is contributing to your pet’s changes and develop an individualised treatment plan to keep them comfortable, active and involved in the things they love for as long as possible.