If you’ve noticed your dog taking longer to get up from their bed on a cold Point Cook morning, or your cat avoiding the stairs they used to tackle without a second thought — you’re not imagining it. Winter genuinely is harder on older joints, and for pets already managing arthritis, the colder months can mark a real turning point in how they feel day to day.
The good news is that there’s a lot you can do at home, and even more your vet can do with you. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your senior or arthritic pet comfortable this winter.
Why Winter Is Harder on Ageing Joints
Cold weather doesn’t cause arthritis, but it does make it worse — and there’s solid physiological reasoning behind that. When temperatures drop, blood flow to the extremities and peripheral joints decreases as the body prioritises keeping core organs warm. For joints already compromised by arthritis, reduced circulation means less oxygen and nutrient delivery to already-inflamed tissue.
There’s also a change in synovial fluid — the natural lubricant inside your pet’s joints. In cold conditions, this fluid becomes more viscous (thicker), which means joints move less freely and with more resistance. Think of it like engine oil on a cold morning: it takes longer to warm up and flow properly. For an arthritic dog or cat, that translates to stiffness, reluctance to move, and visibly increased discomfort.
Research published in veterinary literature also suggests that barometric pressure changes — common during winter weather patterns — may contribute to pain sensitivity in arthritic animals, similar to what many humans with joint conditions report. If your pet seems worse on wet or stormy days, this is likely why.
“If your senior pet is slower to get moving in the mornings this winter, their joints are telling you something worth listening to.”
Keeping Them Moving: Indoor Exercise Ideas for Winter
The instinct when it’s cold is to keep everyone inside and still — but for arthritic pets, gentle movement is actually one of the most important things you can offer. Inactivity leads to muscle loss, which in turn puts more load on already-stressed joints. The goal isn’t vigorous exercise; it’s maintaining mobility.
For dogs, nose work games are one of the best indoor options. Hide small pieces of food around the house or use a snuffle mat — the mental engagement is tiring in a healthy way, and the physical movement involved is slow and low-impact. Gentle, short walks are still valuable too, ideally taken during the warmest part of the day (usually mid-afternoon in a Victorian winter) rather than early morning or after dark when temperatures dip further.
Hydrotherapy — where available in the Wyndham area — is an excellent option for dogs with significant arthritis. The buoyancy of water reduces joint load while allowing a full range of movement. Ask the team at DVS for a referral if you’d like to explore this.
For cats, low-to-ground play is ideal. Wand toys, puzzle feeders, and slow indoor exploration keep them engaged without requiring the kind of jumping and climbing that might cause pain. Avoid anything that involves leaping from heights — sore joints and hard landings don’t mix.
“Gentle, consistent movement is medicine. The goal is warmth and mobility, not distance.”
The Right Bed Makes a Real Difference
Where and how your pet sleeps matters enormously during winter. Cold, hard floors are one of the worst surfaces for arthritic joints — they offer no cushioning and draw heat away from the body. If your pet is currently sleeping on tiles or floorboards, this is one of the most impactful changes you can make.
Orthopaedic pet beds use memory foam or high-density foam to distribute body weight evenly and reduce pressure on joints. When shopping for one in Australia, look for beds with a foam depth of at least 10cm, a waterproof liner (useful if your pet has any incontinence, which is common in older animals), and sides low enough for your pet to step in and out without discomfort.
Heated pet beds are also worth considering for Victorian winters — these are widely available through Australian pet retailers and produce gentle, consistent warmth that keeps muscles and joints from seizing up overnight. Look for beds with auto-shutoff features and temperature regulation. Placement matters as much as the bed itself: position it away from draughts, off cold tiles where possible (a mat underneath helps), and away from exterior walls that lose heat overnight.
DVS RESOURCE: Orthopaedic Bed Stockists
Not sure where to start? The DVS team can point you toward trusted local and online retailers carrying orthopaedic and heated pet beds suitable for senior dogs and cats.
Ask at your next visit or call us on (03) 9369 1822.
Pain Management Options Your Vet Can Discuss With You
If your pet is already on pain management, winter may be the time to review whether what’s currently in place is still enough. And if your pet hasn’t been formally assessed for arthritis, now is the right time to do it — many owners don’t realise just how much chronic pain their senior pet has been quietly managing.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly prescribed pain management option for arthritic dogs, and when used under proper veterinary supervision with appropriate monitoring, they can make an enormous difference to quality of life. They’re not appropriate for every patient, which is why a proper assessment matters.
Beyond medication, there are a number of additional modalities your vet might discuss with you. Acupuncture has a growing evidence base in veterinary medicine for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain. Cold laser therapy (also called low-level laser therapy) is another non-invasive option that can reduce inflammation and improve circulation in affected joints. Increasingly, vets are recommending a multimodal approach — combining two or more therapies — because the evidence suggests this works better than any single treatment in isolation.
These are conversations to have with your vet, not decisions to make based on what worked for someone else’s dog at the dog park. Every patient is different, and the right approach depends on your pet’s full health picture.
Supplements Worth Knowing About
The supplement market for pet joint health is enormous — and not all of it is equal. There are, however, a handful of supplements with reasonable evidence behind them that are worth discussing with your vet if your pet has arthritis or is at risk.
Omega-3 fatty acids (specifically EPA and DHA, typically sourced from fish oil) have the strongest evidence base for reducing joint inflammation in dogs. The dose matters, and many over-the-counter options don’t contain enough of the active component to be clinically useful — your vet can advise on appropriate dosing.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are the most well-known joint supplements, and while the evidence is more mixed than marketing suggests, some patients do respond well. Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), sourced from New Zealand, is another option with reasonable evidence and is increasingly included in premium veterinary joint formulations available in Australia.
The Australian Veterinary Association recommends discussing any supplementation with your vet before starting, particularly if your pet is on other medications. Some supplements interact with NSAIDs, and not all are appropriate for every patient. Don’t assume that because something is ‘natural,’ it’s automatically safe or effective for your individual pet.
“Not all joint supplements are created equal. Ask your vet which ones actually have the evidence behind them.”
When to Review Your Pet’s Medication This Winter
If your pet’s arthritis is managed and things have been stable, it can be tempting to leave everything as-is and wait for the next annual check. Winter is a good reason not to do that.
Cold weather can accelerate how quickly an arthritic condition progresses — muscle mass can decrease faster, pain can become harder to manage with the same dose, and secondary issues (weight gain from reduced activity, for example) can compound the problem. What was working well in autumn may not be working as well in June and July.
A senior wellness check mid-year is a chance to reassess your pet’s pain scores, adjust medication if needed, check organ function (particularly important for pets on long-term NSAIDs), and make a proactive plan for the rest of winter. It’s a short appointment that can prevent a lot of unnecessary suffering.
JUNE NEWSLETTER BONUS: Senior Pet Winter Checklist
Download our free Senior Pet Winter Checklist — available at the clinic or ask for it at your next visit.
Covers: bed setup, daily mobility checks, red flags to watch for, medication review prompts, and feeding adjustments for winter.
[Ask the DVS team for your copy at reception or during your next appointment.]
Ready to Get Ahead of Winter?
June is the right time to book a Senior Wellness Check — before the worst of winter sets in, while there’s still time to adjust your pet’s care plan and get them as comfortable as possible for the months ahead.
Our senior wellness checks at DVS Point Cook are thorough, practical, and focused on what actually matters for your pet’s quality of life right now.
Call: (03) 9369 1822
Book online: directvetservices.com.au
Point Cook | Wyndham | Trusted since 2010