Owner helping a senior dog with hind leg exercises - how to strengthen old dogs' hind legs
on April 06, 2025

How to Strengthen Old Dogs' Hind Legs

Weak hind legs are one of the most common mobility challenges in senior dogs — and in most cases, a combination of targeted exercise, weight management, and joint support can genuinely help your dog regain comfort and confidence. This guide covers the real causes, what actually helps, and when it's time to see your vet.

Written by Jamie Sinclair, who writes about canine health, nutrition, and everyday care — focused on translating veterinary research and real ingredient science into practical, honest guidance UK dog owners can use.

Table of Contents

Why Do Older Dogs Develop Weak Hind Legs?

Weakness in an older dog's hind legs can be caused by several factors, including:

  • Arthritis — one of the most common culprits, causing stiffness and pain in joints that impacts mobility
  • Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (CDM) — a progressive disease affecting the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness
  • Cushing's disease — a hormonal disorder that can contribute to overall muscle deterioration
  • Obesity — excess weight puts pressure on joints, making movement difficult
  • Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) — normal to a degree, but it compounds every other cause

Understanding what's behind your dog's struggles is key to finding the right solution — for a deeper look at the muscle-loss side of this specifically, including how to check muscle condition by hand, see our guide to muscle atrophy in dogs.

Telling Arthritis Apart from Degenerative Myelopathy

This distinction matters genuinely, because the two conditions can look similar at first (both cause hind-leg weakness in older dogs) but need completely different management. Arthritis is painful — a dog with arthritis will usually show reluctance to move, stiffness that eases with gentle warming up, and clear discomfort when the affected joint is touched.

Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (CDM) is genuinely non-painful in most cases — it's a progressive spinal cord disease that causes weakness and wobbliness (ataxia) without the dog appearing to be in pain, and it typically starts with dragging or scuffing of the back paws (owners often notice worn-down nails or scraped toes) rather than obvious limping.

CDM has a genetic basis: a mutation in the SOD1 gene is a major risk factor, and it's been identified across multiple breeds including German Shepherds, Boxers, Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, though a dog needs two copies of the mutation (homozygous) to be genuinely at risk. A DNA test can identify whether a dog carries the mutation, but it's worth understanding its real limits: a homozygous "at risk" result does NOT confirm a diagnosis of CDM on its own, and can only rule the condition out if the result comes back clear.

There's currently no single test that confirms CDM in a living dog — diagnosis is made by ruling out other causes of non-painful spinal cord disease (including imaging to exclude a disc problem), observing the expected pattern of progression, and a supportive genetic test result. Unlike arthritis, there's no treatment that slows CDM's progression, though physiotherapy and mobility aids can meaningfully support quality of life for longer.

If your dog's hind-leg weakness doesn't respond to the joint-support approach below, or comes with dragging paws rather than obvious pain, this distinction is exactly why a proper vet work-up matters rather than assuming it's "just arthritis."

The Benefits of Strengthening Hind Legs

Helping your dog strengthen their hind legs goes beyond improving mobility. It contributes to their overall well-being by:

  • Reducing joint pain and stiffness
  • Enhancing their ability to perform daily activities, like climbing stairs
  • Preventing further muscle loss
  • Increasing their overall energy levels

How to Strengthen Old Dogs' Hind Legs

Rebuilding strength requires a combination of exercises, diet, and targeted care. Follow these steps to see results:

1. Engage in Low-Impact Exercises

  • Short walks — keep walks brief but frequent to prevent overexertion; several 10–15 minute walks beat one long one
  • Swimming or hydrotherapy — a great way to build muscle while being gentle on joints
  • Sit-to-stand exercises — encourage your dog to sit and stand repeatedly (5–10 reps, a couple of times a day) to develop hind leg strength
  • Gentle hill walking — walking up a slow incline loads the back legs more than flat ground; keep it short and stop before your dog tires

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight can worsen joint issues. Focus on a balanced diet with lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-calorie snacks. Your vet can help assess whether your dog is at a healthy weight.

3. Use Joint Supplements

Adding joint supplements to your older dog's routine is one of the easiest ways to keep them comfortable enough to exercise, which is what actually rebuilds strength. Look for ingredients like:

  • Glucosamine and chondroitin — support cartilage and joint function
  • MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) — supports a healthy inflammatory response
  • Omega-3 fatty acids — found in salmon oil or green-lipped mussels; the best-evidenced ingredient for joint comfort
  • Turmeric and Boswellia serrata — natural ingredients that support healthy joint function

4. Passive Range of Motion (PROM) Exercises

Gently flex and extend your dog's hind legs to improve flexibility and joint lubrication. These exercises are easy to perform at home or with guidance from a canine physiotherapist.

5. Consider Professional Therapies

  • Hydrotherapy for low-impact muscle building
  • Canine physiotherapy — many UK vets can refer to a registered practitioner
  • Acupuncture or laser therapy to support comfort, where recommended by your vet

Which Supplements Are Right for Your Dog?

Joint supplements have become increasingly popular, but not all are created equal. Here's what to look for:

  • Named, specific ingredients — look for clearly listed amounts of glucosamine, chondroitin, and similar, not a vague "proprietary blend"
  • Veterinary formulation — ideally with a named, checkable credential behind it
  • Chewable or palatable form — easier to give consistently than a pill your dog fights

Product Spotlight: Doggy Dailies Hip & Joint Chews

Doggy Dailies Hip and Joint Chews jar

What it does: Glucosamine HCl, MSM, chondroitin sulfate, turmeric, and green-lipped mussel in a daily chew, formulated to support joint mobility and comfort in ageing dogs. For a dog with a shellfish allergy, our JOINT-EZE Tablets use corn-derived glucosamine instead.

Formulated with veterinary input from Lourdes María Arnedo Amat, licensed veterinary graduate (Lic. No. 1745), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Region of Murcia.

View Hip & Joint Chews

FAQ

How long does it take for joint supplements to work?
Most dogs show visible results within about six weeks of consistent daily use.

Can I start giving joint supplements to a younger dog?
Yes — starting early can help support joints proactively, especially for active or large-breed dogs prone to joint issues later in life.

What are signs my dog might need joint support?
Stiffness, limping, reluctance to climb stairs, or a noticeable decrease in activity levels are common early signs.

How can I tell if it's arthritis or degenerative myelopathy?
Arthritis is usually painful, with stiffness that eases as your dog warms up. Degenerative myelopathy is typically painless, causing wobbliness and dragging of the back paws instead. Only a vet can properly distinguish between them.

Can a genetic test confirm degenerative myelopathy?
Not on its own. A homozygous "at risk" SOD1 result supports the diagnosis alongside other clinical findings, but a clear result can rule the condition out. No single test confirms it in a living dog.

Are omega-3 supplements safe for dogs?
Yes — omega-3 fatty acids are generally well tolerated and support joint comfort. Always follow the usage guidance on your specific product.

Sources

This article is for general information only and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog's mobility is declining significantly, please speak to your vet.