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Senior dog care
7 Signs Your Dog Isn’t Just “Getting Old” (And How to Help Him Before It Gets Worse)
The small changes you’ve put down to age can be his joints asking for more support.
Here’s what to look for, and what you can do about it today.
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It starts with a pause at the stairs.
A walk that ends a little sooner. And “he’s just getting old.”
Most owners put these down to age. But dogs are very good at hiding how much harder
moving has become, and by the time it’s obvious, it’s usually been creeping in for months.
As you read, tap “My dog does this” on each sign you recognise. We’ll add them up at the end.
Sign 1 of 7
He Takes Longer To Get Up
What you tell yourself
“He’s Just Having A Lie-In.”
What it actually means
Watch him get up tomorrow morning. Front legs first, a pause, then the back end, like he’s checking his legs will hold him. The first few steps are stiff, then he walks it off. That stiffness after rest is one of the earliest signs vets look for.
Sign 2 of 7
He stops at the bottom of the stairs
What you tell yourself
“He’s just being careful.”
What it actually means
A pause, then one step at a time, can be him weighing up whether his hips and knees are up to it. Stairs ask more of his hips and knees than anything else in the house, so it’s often where it shows first.
Sign 3 of 7
He waits at the car boot
What you tell yourself
“He’s just being a bit lazy.”
What it actually means
Jumping up needs a strong push from the back legs and hips. A dog who used to leap in and now waits is often telling you that push has got harder.
Sign 4 of 7
Walks have got slower, or shorter
What you tell yourself
“He’s slowing down. It’s normal at his age.”
What it actually means
Lagging a few metres behind on a path he knows by heart can mean his joints tire before the rest of him does. He still wants the walk; his body is asking for a gentler pace.
Sign 5 of 7
He’s lost interest in his ball
What you tell yourself
“He’s grown out of it.”
What it actually means
Dogs don’t grow out of the ball. They stop chasing it when running and turning start to cost more than it’s worth. If he brings it to you and then lies down with it, he still wants to play. His body is saying no.
Sign 6 of 7
He licks at his legs or wrists
What you tell yourself
“It’s just a habit.”
What it actually means
Dogs often lick at a joint that doesn’t feel right. If it’s the same wrist or knee, again and again, it’s worth paying attention to.
Sign 7 of 7
You’ve started changing things for him
What you tell yourself
“It’s just easier for both of us.”
What it actually means
Lifting him into the car. Moving his bed downstairs. If you’ve been quietly adapting the house, you’ve already noticed his joints need more help.
You ticked 0 of 7 signs
His joints are asking for more support
Nothing to worry about yet. These signs creep in slowly, so check again in a few weeks, and it’s worth knowing what helps before you need it.
It Isn’t Just Age.
Age might be why it’s starting, but it isn’t a reason to wait. Two or three of these usually mean his joints need more support than they’re getting, and the earlier you start, the more there is to look after.
It Isn’t Just Age.
You’ve seen most of the signs. He isn’t just slowing down. He’s working around his joints every single day. It’s not too late to start supporting him, and you can start today.
How to help
How to help him, starting today
None of this is complicated. Most of it costs nothing, and it all works best together.
- Keep his weight in checkEvery extra kilo is more for his joints to carry. Small changes to portions add up.
- Walk little and oftenTwo or three shorter walks are kinder on older joints than one long one at full pace.
- Add daily joint supportPick one that covers the whole joint and that he’ll happily take every single day.
Why most fall short
Why So Many Joint Supplements Fall Short
Most joint supplements are built around one familiar ingredient, usually glucosamine. It supports cartilage, and that matters. But a joint needs four kinds of support to move comfortably, and glucosamine covers one.
And even the best formula does nothing on the days it ends up licked clean on the kitchen floor.
Before you buy anything, check two things: does it cover all four, and will he actually eat it every day?
Structure
Cartilage structure
Glucosamine · Chondroitin
Cushioning
Lubrication & flexibility
Hyaluronic acid · Salmon oil
Comfort
Everyday joint comfort
Boswellia · Turmeric · MSM · Devil’s claw
Longevity
Long-term joint health
Rose hips · Vitamin C · Vitamin E · Yucca
So what should I give him?
Pet Gently Was Built To Tick Every Box.
- It covers the whole joint13 natural ingredients in one chew.
- He’ll take it every day96% of dogs loved it on the first try.
- Gentle on an older tummyNo grains, sugar, colours or fillers.
- Matched to his sizeThe daily amount goes by his weight.
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50% OFF Your First
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I was skeptical too. But it’s matched to your dog’s size, they take it as a treat, and a 90-day money-back guarantee means there’s nothing to lose.
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Owners who started early
12 year old Bailey looks forward to his chews. Although it’s still early days it appears his movements are a little easier. After trying several different makes without any improvement I will keep him on these.
My boy Fleety has been very slow and needed help i tried a few different supplements.. well petgently have been fabulous Fleety is very pickey for treats and food he's running jumping and enjoying himself he's 15 years old and loving life . very pleased with this product.
What to expect
Joint support builds with regular daily use, and every dog is different. This is
what owners told us in our customer survey.
- From day oneMost dogs take the chew happily. 96% enjoyed it on the first try.
- Around 3 weeks81% of owners said they saw better mobility.
- Within 90 days97% saw better mobility. You get the full 90 days to see results.
Questions owners ask
How long before I notice a difference?
Every dog is different. In our customer survey, 81% of owners said they saw better mobility within 3 weeks and 97% within 90 days. Give it every day and allow the full 90 days to judge it.
Can he take it alongside his medication?
It’s a nutritional supplement, not a medicine, and it’s designed to sit alongside your vet’s care, not replace it. If he’s on medication or has regular injections, check with your vet before you start, and never stop anything without their advice.
Is it gentle on an older tummy?
It’s made to be. It’s a soft, turkey-flavoured chew with no grains, sugar, colours or fillers, made in Ireland under strict quality control. If he has a particularly sensitive stomach, have a quick word with your vet first. Every dog is different, which is why you get 90 days to see how he gets on.
What if he won’t eat it?
It’s a soft, turkey-flavoured chew designed to feel like a treat, and 96% of dogs ate it on the first try. No powder to sprinkle and no tablet to hide. If he still turns his nose up, the 90-day guarantee covers fussy eaters, even if you’ve opened every pack.
How many chews does he need?
It goes by his weight. Choose his size when you order (Small up to 9kg, Medium 9 to 18kg, Large 18 to 36kg, Extra Large 36kg+) and the pack tells you exactly how many chews to give each day. Give them every day, as joint support builds with regular use.
Can I cancel or skip a delivery?
Yes. Cancel, skip or pause any time from your account. The subscription is there for consistency and convenience, not commitment.
Start helping him today
The sooner his joints get support, the more good years you share. You have 90 days to judge it-don’t wait for sign 8.
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