An elderly dog can no longer get up – What you can do straight away

Your dog is lying in his bed and wants to get up. He tries. His front legs push him up, but nothing happens at the back. He slips, then tries again. You’re standing there, not knowing what to do.

Thousands of dog owners have experienced this moment. And it’s frightening. Does this mean it’s over? Do I have to put him to sleep? Or is there still something I can do?

The good news is: in most cases, there’s plenty you can do. This article explains what’s causing the problem, what can help straight away, and how you can support your senior dog in the long term.

Why your elderly dog can no longer get up

There are various reasons why your dog might suddenly or gradually start having trouble getting up. The most common are:

Osteoarthritis – the silent enemy of the joints

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause in older dogs. The cartilage in the joints breaks down over the years. Eventually, every movement becomes painful. The joints are particularly stiff after lying down. Your dog will then need several attempts before managing to stand.

The tricky thing is that osteoarthritis develops slowly. Many owners only notice it when their dog is really struggling.

Muscle wasting (muscle atrophy)

It’s a vicious circle: your dog moves less because its joints hurt. With less movement, the muscles weaken. Weaker muscles are less able to support the joints. So it hurts even more. And your dog moves even less.

The hind legs are particularly affected. You can recognise muscle wasting by the fact that your dog’s thighs look thinner than they used to.

Hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED)

Large breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are particularly affected. The joint misalignment becomes increasingly noticeable with age. This is often combined with osteoarthritis.

Spondylosis

Bone spurs on the spine that restrict mobility. Your dog will then find it difficult to arch its back, which it needs to do to stand up.

Neurological causes

In rarer cases, the underlying cause is a neurological problem. Herniated discs or cauda equina syndrome can paralyse the hind legs. Prompt action is essential here.

Immediate steps: What you can do now

Your dog needs help today, not just after the next vet’s appointment. Here are some things you can do straight away:

1. Non-slip mats

Slippery floors are your elderly dog’s worst enemy. His paws can’t get a grip on tiles or parquet flooring. He slips and gives up before he can even stand.

What helps:

• Carpet runners along the main routes
• Yoga mats next to their sleeping area
• Non-slip socks for dogs
• Rubber mats in front of the feeding area and the front door

2. Help your dog to stand up

Grasp your dog under the belly as they get up. Don’t pull, just support them. There are also special lifting aids and harnesses with handles that make this easier.

Tip: A wide towel placed under their belly works just as well as a quick fix.

3. Optimise their sleeping area

A flattened dog bed makes everything worse. Your dog is lying low and has to push themselves up even further.

Better:

• An orthopaedic dog bed with memory foam
• Not too soft, not too hard – your dog needs to be able to support itself
• A slightly raised edge for them to lean against
• A warm spot – the cold makes joint stiffness worse

4. Ramps instead of stairs

Every step is a strain. A simple dog ramp in front of the sofa, into the car or at the front door takes enormous pressure off the joints.

5. Warmth for stiff joints

Warmth relieves morning stiffness. A cherry-stone pillow or a hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel!) placed on stiff joints often takes effect within 10 minutes. This is particularly helpful before getting up for the first time in the morning.

In the long term: How to support your senior’s mobility

Immediate measures relieve the symptoms. For real improvement, you need a long-term plan.

Gentle exercise – less is more

Your dog needs exercise, but the right sort. Short walks (10–15 minutes) several times a day are better than one long walk. Swimming is ideal because it takes the strain off the joints and builds muscle.

Good exercise for senior dogs:

• Slow walks on soft ground (grass, woodland)
• Swimming or a water treadmill
• Cavaletti training (low poles to step over)
• Walking gently uphill (strengthens the hindquarters)

Avoid:

• Long walks without a break
• Jumping (throwing a ball, agility)
• Cold, wet ground for prolonged periods
• Romping about with younger dogs

Weight control

Every extra kilo puts strain on the joints. For a 30-kilo dog that is 3 kilos overweight, this means a 10 per cent increase in the load on joints that are already damaged. The amount of food is particularly crucial for dogs that don’t get much exercise.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s ideal weight. Often, simply cutting down on treats and making a slight adjustment to the amount of food is enough.

Supporting the joints from within

Worn cartilage needs building blocks to regenerate. Certain nutrients can support cartilage metabolism and reduce inflammation in the joints:

• Green-lipped mussel provides natural glycosaminoglycans and omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects
• Glucosamine and chondroitin are building blocks of joint cartilage
• MSM (organic sulphur) can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain
• Devil’s claw is traditionally used for joint complaints
• Hyaluronic acid improves joint lubrication

You’ll find this combination, for example, in Veddelholzer Joint Tablets, which combine all these ingredients in a single tablet. Many dog owners report that their older dogs are able to get up much more easily again after 4–8 weeks. Of course, every dog reacts differently, but a proper supply of nutrients is a key factor.

Massage and physiotherapy

Gentle massages promote blood circulation and relieve tension. Stroke along the muscles of the hind legs with light pressure, moving from top to bottom. 5–10 minutes a day is sufficient.

If your budget allows: a veterinary physiotherapist can demonstrate targeted exercises and use treatments such as laser or magnetic field therapy.

Joints or nerves? How to tell the difference

It’s not always the joints that are to blame. It’s important to rule out neurological causes:

Important: If your dog’s paws give way or he can no longer move his tail, take him to the vet straight away. This indicates a neurological problem that needs to be treated quickly.

Frequently asked questions

When to see the vet

Some situations require a visit to the vet. See your vet promptly if:

• Sudden onset: Your dog was able to get up normally yesterday but can’t at all today
• Signs of paralysis: the hind legs are dragging, the paws are buckling, the tail is hanging down
• Incontinence of the bladder or bowel
• Severe pain: Your dog whimpers, howls or snaps when you touch him
• No eating or drinking for more than a day
• Fever or marked apathy
• Trembling combined with panting and restlessness
• No improvement despite immediate action taken after 2–3 days

Your vet can identify the exact cause using X-rays and a blood test and draw up a treatment plan. Often, a combination of painkillers (for short-term relief), physiotherapy and dietary supplements is the best approach.

Important: “My old dog can’t get up any more” does not automatically mean it’s time for euthanasia. In many cases, quality of life can be significantly improved with the right measures. Don’t give up too soon.