How to track your dog's arthritis and mobility for your vet
Last reviewed 11 June 2026 · a 4-minute read for owners
Each day, note how your dog is moving — easily, a bit stiff, or struggling — along with anything that changed (stairs, jumping, walk length, getting up), exactly what you saw such as limping or being slow to rise, and how long it took them to warm up to normal. A short daily note turns good and bad days into a clear pattern your vet can follow between appointments.
What to note each time
- How they're moving todayMoving easily, a bit stiff, or struggling — a simple read on the day.
- What changedStairs, jumping, walk length, or getting up — anything that looked different.
- What you sawLimping, slow to rise, reluctant to jump, favouring a leg — describe it plainly.
- Warm-up timeIf they loosened up, roughly how long until they were moving normally.
Why your vet wants this, not your memory
Arthritis is managed on how mobility changes over weeks, not on a single moment in the consult room — where many dogs look better than they do at home. A dated log of good and stiff days lets your vet see whether things are holding steady, improving, or slipping, and judge how a pain plan is working.
Common questions
How often should I note my dog's mobility?
A quick daily note works best, but even a few times a week builds a useful picture. The aim is a steady trend your vet can read, not a perfect record.
My dog seems fine at the vet but stiff at home — does that matter?
Yes, and it's common. Dogs often move better in a new, stimulating place. Your at-home notes show your vet what the day-to-day reality looks like.
What counts as 'struggling'?
Whatever clearly stands out for your dog — needing help to rise, refusing stairs they normally take, or obvious limping. Describe what you saw and let your vet interpret it.
What's the easiest way to keep an arthritis log?
Whatever you'll keep up with. A digital log captures the date for you and lets you share the whole record with your vet without rewriting it. Taile is a free way to do this.
Keep the record without the rewriting
Note how your dog moved in seconds and bring the full picture to your next appointment. Free for owners.
Start a free log