Animal Welfare Professionals

My pets now over 11 years old and she's got arthritis. As I live in upstairs home it's difficult for her to go up and down the stairs. For now she can make it but over time it will get harder. Any tips for helping her go up and down? When we try to carry her it seems to hurt her more so we avoid that, unless it's an emergency. Maybe some sort of brace?
If anyone has had to deal with a similar situation please let me know.
Thanks

I have a similar situation with my 15 year old beagle. I started her on Dasuquin supplement last month and she's so much less stiff. It's like she's a puppy again. <3 I still carry her up and down the stairs but she's much happier now.

My senior dog is going through the same thing. He's over 60 lbs so a friend would wrap him in a blanket and carry him up or down when necessary. Glucosamine has definitely helped. You may want to ask your vet, even for holistic approaches (e.g., acupuncture). 

Thanks for the responses. What about Gabapentin? Someone said that also helps, any experiences with this?

Gabapentin might help, however under certain circumstances it is not advisable.  gabapentin is frequently used with other drugs, like galliprant but should not br given with others. I can't recall whether it might strain the liver or kidney in dogs with somewhat compromised organs, which is not unusual in older animals (and people).  Speak to your vet.  prescriptions are required fir these medications

Medication to help reduce pain from underlying arthritis definitely.  Cosequin or Dasuquin available over the counter,  gabapentin with prescription.  However for the mechanics of getting up and stairs, which might be a continuing or progressive problem,  google "dog support for stairs, or check with local pet shop.  They make slings which go under dogs belly with handles,  so you can help take some of dogs weight off legs/joints.  In a pinch,  a towel under dogs body and ends held above will help.   Making our senior pets comfortable can be a challenge.  good luck.   

By the way, glucosamine for humans is not recommended for dogs.  "Glucosamine is an amino sugar and should be the same regardless if it's in a human or dog supplement. However, human supplements can contain ingredients that may be unsafe for your dog. Surprisingly, some ingredients that humans use daily can be fatal to dogs."

My Moxie has had joint problems since she was a kitten. She is 12 now.  I started with Cosequin which helped then added gabapentin (50mg BID) and then 2 years ago added Adequan injections.  I think the Adequan helped the most.

For my sister's cat, a Collagen supplement for her Arthritis (around 16 years old) did wonders for the poor cat as the litterbox was downstairs and the living space was upstairs.

AND NOBODY MOVED THE LITTER BOX UPSTAIRS?????

Please go to your vet. The suggestions below are good ones, but you want a doctor to look at your pet and make a good diagnosis and prescription.

Pepitopet,

I’m so sorry to hear about your little girl getting arthritis, I know that’s not an easy thing to see her not playing like she used to. Unfortunately arthritis is one of the most common illnesses that is suffered by dogs and it makes their golden years a little more difficult. I do think that maintenance of health can drastically help improve a dog’s situation though. I recently came across a site called buddycustard.com and their product Buddy Custard which is a supplement for dogs that helps to fight chronic illnesses such as athritis among many other health issues. It also keeps them healthier much longer. The reason I mention it is because many people who left testimonials on the site said that it helped their dogs who had arthritis. Many of them even said that their older dogs were running around and playing like they were puppies again which is so nice to hear. It’s a soft creamy supplement that’s taken once a day so it’s noninvasive and can be added to food or given alone, and because it’s only given once a day it will last you a long time. Consider researching it for yourself, but I really hope that your pup gets to feeling a little more like herself soon and that her arthritis doesn’t get any worse, keep us posted! 

I understand your concern helping a senior dog with arthritis navigate stairs can be challenging. Here are some tips that might help:

1. Support Harness – Using a harness designed for mobility support can help your dog move safely without lifting her completely.

2. Ramps or Pet Stairs – Consider a ramp or soft pet stairs so she can climb up and down gradually without strain.

3. Home Setup – If possible, keep her essentials (bed, food, water) on one floor to reduce trips up and down stairs.

4. Veterinary Advice – Pain management, joint supplements, or physical therapy may help her move more comfortably.

I manage all my pet food and supplement orders through my Chewy account — it keeps everything organized.

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enzo Dirienzo
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Enzo Dirienzo
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