Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain, stiffness and discomfort in dogs. It's more common in older dogs due to wear and tear on their joints but can develop earlier in life from injury, illness, or a genetic predisposition in some breeds.
Reviewed by: Subject Matter Experts on 02/12/2024
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Also called osteoarthritis, the condition develops when cartilage in the joint is damaged or develops abnormally. In a healthy joint, cartilage helps the bones to move smoothly. In an arthritic joint, the cartilage doesn't function as it should, causing inflammation, pain and stiffness.
Canine arthritis is a life-long progressive condition that doesn't yet have a cure. However, there are treatment options to help manage your dog's pain, keep them active, and slow the progression of the condition as much as possible.
Arthritis can develop due to wear and tear on a dog's joints as they age; it's more common in older dogs. Other causes of arthritis in dogs include injury, obesity, abnormal development of the cartilage in the joints, and infection.
Some dogs are at increased risk of developing arthritis:
Arthritis is a long-term inflammatory disease that develops gradually and may affect the limbs or the back. The condition worsens over time, and your dog may not show symptoms in the early stages. Some dogs mask their pain and discomfort. Regular vet check-ups help to monitor your dog's health as they age. Our working guide dogs see their vet every six months, rising to every three months when they are eight years old.
If you notice any changes in your dog's behaviour, especially if they're a senior dog, speak to your vet for advice. Don't assume that changes such as slowing down are simply a result of ageing. Symptoms of arthritis to look out for include:
Dogs can live with arthritis for years if they have the right lifestyle and supportive treatments to keep them comfortable. As a progressive condition, dogs with arthritis in the later stages can show worsening symptoms. Loss of cartilage can make the condition very painful as bone rubs against bone in the joints.
With end-stage arthritis, dogs may show symptoms including:
See your vet for advice if you have any concerns that your dog might have arthritis. They can do a physical examination to check for stiffness and pain in the joints, assess the range of motion in the joints, and arrange for tests if needed. X-rays may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
There's no cure for arthritis but your vet will consider treatment options to manage your dog's pain and reduce inflammation. Over time, your dog's needs and treatment plan may change as the condition progresses. They will need regular follow-up veterinary appointments to monitor their condition.
Dogs with arthritis usually need ongoing pain relief medication. This not only makes them more comfortable but enables them to keep active and mobile. Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work to reduce pain and inflammation. There can be side effects with long-term use of some of these medicines, especially if there are other kidney or liver health concerns. Your dog will have regular follow-up appointments to monitor their health and side effects. Different types of pain medication may be available if your dog needs them.
Joint supplements should only be used as part of an overall treatment plan which is likely to include other medication; joint supplements are unlikely to be sufficiently beneficial on their own to make a significant difference to pain level.
Weight control is an essential aspect of managing arthritis in your dog. Obesity places greater strain on a dog's joints and can worsen their arthritis. Your vet can advise on weight management and a healthy diet, and you should regularly weigh your dog.
Many people worry about whether and how to exercise their dog with arthritis, especially if they seem stiff and uncomfortable. In fact, keeping active is important to promote their range of movement, maintain muscle mass around the joints, and manage their weight.
If your dog has arthritis, they need to keep active, but you may need to adjust their routine. For example, regular shorter walks may be better for them than one long walk. Being active little and often is better than staying still for long periods, which can lead to stiffness.
Avoid activities that put too much pressure on their joints (like jumping for a toy), and if they're in a lot of pain or discomfort on a particular day, they may need rest instead.
Your vet will be able to advise on the duration and amount of exercise that best suits the stage of your dog’s arthritis.
There are a range of other treatments that vets may use occasionally. They vary in efficacy and may work differently in different patients. Your vet will inform you of which medications may be best for your dog.
Try our top tips to help keep your dog comfortable at home:
It's not possible to prevent age-related arthritis, but you can take care of your dog from a young age, and closely monitor their physical health, to help limit the risk of arthritis earlier in life.
When considering a puppy, if you're looking at breeds predisposed to arthritis, it's important to ask for health screening information, including hip scoring, for the parents. If your dog is at increased risk of arthritis, it's a good idea to take them for regular vet check-ups.
Take care with puppies whose joints are still developing. Try to discourage them from jumping, using stairs, skidding and toy-throwing games.
Giving your dog an active lifestyle and keeping them at a healthy weight to prevent obesity is the most important thing you can do to limit the onset and effects of arthritis.
As well as medication, physical therapy such as hydrotherapy and physiotherapy can help support your dog's arthritis. Hydrotherapy is especially good for keeping dogs active and building muscle mass without putting pressure on their joints. It can also assist with weight loss, and warm water can reduce swelling.
Other natural remedies such as acupuncture are sometimes used but these are usually alongside medication prescribed by your vet. There are many other ways to help a dog with arthritis at home by making small adjustments to their care:
Surgery may be an option with severe arthritis or where medication isn't effective in keeping a dog comfortable. Surgery aims to make your dog more comfortable and improve their quality of life. There are different types of surgery: replacing a joint, joint fusion, and removing part of a joint. Your vet will advise if there is a surgical procedure that may help your dog.