Mobility pain usually starts small. A slower sit, hesitation before stairs, or reduced interest in play can appear weeks before severe symptoms.
What To Watch Daily
- How long it takes your dog to stand after resting
- Any limp after activity or after waking up
- Reluctance to jump into the car or onto furniture
- Change in walk duration or pace
Track patterns, not isolated moments. Consistent logs over 7-14 days are more useful for your vet than memory-based summaries.
A Practical Starting Routine
Log one short note in the morning and one in the evening. Keep entries simple: movement quality, appetite, and activity tolerance.
If symptoms increase for more than 3 consecutive days, schedule a vet review and bring your notes. Structured history leads to faster decisions.
Further reading
Continue with related guides connected by topic and symptom tags.