As your beloved dog enters their golden years, you may begin to notice subtle changes: slower walks, more naps, or moments of confusion. Are these signs of normal aging, or is your companion in discomfort? This guide to comfort care for senior dogs will help you recognize early signs of pain, understand age-related changes, and explore at-home solutions to keep your dog happy, mobile, and supported every step of the way.
Written by Dr. Tyler Carmack, Caring Pathways Director of Hospice & Palliative Care
Recognizing Pain in Aging Dogs
Dogs express pain differently from humans. Often, pet families see their dog as “just slowing down as he gets older,” but for many dogs, this is our first, and maybe only, sign that they are in pain. Some dogs may become restless or even irritable as the pain worsens. Look for signs such as:
✔ Changes in the way they move or difficulty getting up, lying down, or using stairs
✔ Limping or stiffness, especially after rest
✔ Panting or pacing when not hot or excited
✔ Decreased interest in play, walks, or family interactions
✔ Licking or chewing, especially near what may be a sore joint
✔ Changes in appetite
✔ Changes in sleeping patterns
A chronic pain scale can help you identify any concerning symptoms in your dog and bring them to the attention of a comfort care team.
Comfort care veterinarians help pet parents identify and manage pain early, preventing unnecessary discomfort, decreased mobility, and loss of muscle strength. Through home visits, virtual consultations, and customized care plans, they ensure your dog stays as comfortable as possible.
Aging & Cognitive Changes: What to Expect
Senior dogs may experience cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which is similar to dementia in humans. Symptoms can include:
🐾 Confusion or disorientation (staring at walls, getting “stuck” in corners)
🐾 Increased anxiety or nighttime restlessness
🐾 Forgetting routines, like house training or meal times
🐾 Changes in social behavior—becoming more clingy or withdrawn
Comfort care focuses on reducing stress and anxiety and keeping daily routines predictable.
Support strategies include:
✔ Providing soft lighting and soothing background noise at night
✔ Using ramps or orthopedic beds to reduce joint strain
✔ Offering gentle, consistent interaction to help them feel secure
✔ Integrating pain management, as discomfort can worsen cognitive decline
If your dog is showing signs of cognitive decline, a comfort-minded hospice veterinarian can help guide you through adjustments to keep them active, comfortable, and engaged. The DISHAA Assessment Tool can help you determine if your dog’s symptoms might indicate cognitive decline.
Making Medications Easier with Compounded Options
If you’ve ever struggled to give your dog a pill, you know how frustrating it can be. Fortunately, compounded medications—customized for taste and ease of administration—can make pain management stress-free. Options include:
✔ Flavored liquids (beef, chicken, or peanut butter)
✔ Soft chew treats infused with medication
✔ Transdermal gels are applied to the skin for easy absorption
Injectable medications, given under the skin and sometimes needed only once a month, are another option to provide comfort to your dog without the daily struggle to medicate. Some of these medications can help us lessen the amount of oral medications we have to give as part of our pain management plan.
Our comfort care team can help you find the best medication form for your dog, making pain management easier and less stressful for both of you.
Integrative Pain Management: Gentle, Non-Medication Approaches
Why Choose Integrative Comfort Care for Dogs?
Palliative and hospice care focuses on keeping your dog comfortable with the least stress possible. Along with medications, many gentle therapies can help:
- PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy): These non-invasive devices provide exposure to low-energy waves to reduce inflammation and promote healing—great for cats with arthritis or areas of chronic pain.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture is another way to stimulate the body’s pain relief responses; many pets tolerate it well and even find it relaxing!
- Adequan Injections: Adequan is an injectable neutraceutical to help protect joints and slow down arthritis progression.
- Hot & Cold Therapy: Warm compresses can soothe stiff muscles and relieve chronic pain, while cool packs help reduce swelling in acute injuries.
- Massage & Gentle Touch: Some dogs love soft massage, which improves circulation and relaxes tense muscles.
- Supplements: There are many good supplements, including Omega-3s and some herbal remedies, that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health. Supplements are not inspected by the FDA, so discussing with comfort care veterinarians which brands and ingredients will be most beneficial can help get you on the right track!
A comfort care veterinarian can help you tailor the best pain management plan for your dog, combining traditional and holistic approaches for optimal comfort.
Providing Comfort & Quality of Life
If your senior dog is starting to show signs of pain or cognitive decline, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to navigate it alone either. At Caring Pathways, our compassionate comfort care veterinarians and team come alongside you with expert guidance, personalized pain management plans, and gentle in-home support.
💙 Let’s give your dog the peaceful, loving care they deserve. [Contact us today] to schedule a comfort care consultation. 💙
About the Author: Dr. Tyler Carmack
Dr. Tyler is the Director of Hospice and Palliative Care for Caring Pathways. She founded Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice in 2011 and has practiced exclusively hospice and palliative care for over a decade.
She has served on the Board of Directors of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) since 2016 in a variety of roles and often lectures about Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care. Dr. Tyler currently holds certifications in animal hospice and palliative care, veterinary acupuncture, Chinese food therapy, and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine End-of-Life care. Her professional interests include pain management and teaching.
