Why Is My Dog Stiff in Cold, Damp Weather?

Hello again!

As the mornings turn frosty and the walks get muddier, I always hear the same thing from owners of older dogs: "She's fine in the summer, but as soon as the weather turns she can barely get out of bed."

If your dog seems stiff in the morning, slow to get up, or reluctant to jump into the car once the cold, damp weather arrives, you are not imagining it. Let us look at why winter can be so hard on joints, and the simple, natural things you can do to help.

Why cold and damp make stiffness worse

Many owners notice their dog's joints seem worse in cold, wet weather, just as many people say they feel the weather in their bones. A few things are going on at once:

• Muscles tighten in the cold. Cold muscles are less supple, so they give less support to joints that are already worn.
• Less movement. Shorter days and wet weather often mean shorter walks and more lying about, and joints stiffen when they aren't moving.
• Sleeping on cold floors. Hard, chilly surfaces leave an older dog stiff and sore when they first get up.
• Coming home wet. A damp coat chills the body for a long time after a walk, especially in thin-coated or older dogs.

For dogs who already have arthritis, hip or elbow problems, or an old injury, winter tends to make every one of these worse.

Signs your dog is feeling the cold in their joints

• Slow to get up, especially first thing in the morning
• Walking stiffly for the first few minutes, then easing off
• Not wanting to jump on the sofa, into the car or up the stairs
• Lagging behind on walks or wanting to turn for home early
• Licking at a particular joint, or limping after rest

Simple winter changes that make a real difference

1. Raise and pad the bed. A thick, supportive bed lifted off a cold floor and away from draughts is one of the kindest things you can give an older dog.
2. Little and often. Two or three shorter walks are gentler than one long trudge. Keep up gentle movement rather than letting your dog stop altogether.
3. Warm up first. Start every walk with five minutes of slow walking before any running or ball games.
4. Dry them properly. Towel your dog off thoroughly after wet walks, paying attention to legs and tummy. A coat can help thin-coated or elderly dogs.
5. Grip on the floors. Rugs or runners on slippery wooden or tiled floors help a stiff dog feel steady on their feet.
6. Watch the waistline. Winter weight puts extra strain on joints, so adjust portions if walks get shorter.

Herbal support for winter joints

Some plants have a long tradition of use for stiff joints. Herbs such as turmeric, ginger, devil's claw and meadowsweet are traditionally used to support joint comfort and mobility, and warming herbs are often chosen when stiffness is worse in the cold and damp.

I have put together blends for different stages:

• Muscle & Joint Herbal Powder, designed to support joint and muscle wellbeing in active or ageing dogs
• Old Dog Herbal Powder, for senior dogs who are slowing down all over, not just in their legs

Herbs work gently and steadily, so give any blend a few weeks of daily use alongside the changes above before judging how your dog is getting on.

When to see your vet

Natural support sits alongside veterinary care, not instead of it. Stiffness that comes on suddenly, a limp that doesn't ease off after a few minutes, crying out when touched, or not wanting to walk at all are all reasons to see your vet. If your dog is already on pain relief or other medication, please check with your vet before adding any herbs, as some can interact with medicines.

Final thoughts

Our older dogs have walked every winter beside us, and now it is our turn to look after them. A warm bed, gentler walks, a good towelling and a little help from the herb garden can turn a stiff, grumpy winter into a cosy, comfortable one.

Natural love & care,

Elaine, The Dog Herbalist