Arthritis in Dogs: Signs, Pain Relief and Home Care

What it is

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, progressive disease in which the cartilage that cushions a joint breaks down. Without that cushion, bone rubs on bone, the joint lining becomes inflamed and scarred, and the joint fluid becomes thinner and less protective. The hips, elbows, knees, shoulders and wrists are the joints most often affected.

It is not only an old-dog problem. Cornell points out that it can appear at any age, particularly when something such as obesity or another orthopedic problem is driving it. Often it is secondary to another problem, such as a torn cruciate ligament or hip dysplasia, and sometimes no cause is found.

Signs include stiffness, limping, reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs, trouble getting up, muscle loss and changes in mood such as irritability. Dogs are good at hiding pain, so early signs are easy to miss. The AKC notes there is no known cure, so treatment aims to relieve pain and slow progression.

Causes and risk factors

What you can do at home

Weight control is the single most important home measure. The ACVS calls it the most critical part of management, because extra weight loads the joints and body fat produces inflammatory chemicals. Our guide on how to tell if your dog is overweight is a good starting point, and your vet can set a target weight.

Keep your dog moving with regular, low-impact exercise such as leash walks and swimming, and limit running and jumping. Merck suggests soft surfaces and warm compresses on sore joints. Cornell recommends non-slip rugs and ramps to help dogs get onto beds, couches and cars.

Never give human pain medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen on your own, since they can be toxic to dogs. Merck advises against using these human drugs in pets unless your vet directs it. Even prescription pain medicines carry risks. Give them exactly as prescribed, keep up with recommended blood tests and report vomiting, appetite loss or dark stools right away.

Joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids are commonly suggested, but the ACVS says how they work is poorly understood. Ask your vet before starting any.

What happens at the vet

Your vet will watch your dog walk, check posture and feel the joints for pain, grinding, swelling and limited movement. X-rays show joint changes and help identify an underlying problem such as dysplasia. Sometimes CT, MRI or arthroscopy, which uses a tiny camera inside the joint, gives a closer look at cartilage and soft tissues.

Treatment usually combines several approaches. Weight loss comes first for overweight dogs. Rehabilitation, including underwater treadmill work and range-of-motion exercises, helps build the muscle that supports the joint. Medicines may include prescription anti-inflammatories, which need regular blood work, plus other pain relievers for dogs that cannot take them, and a monthly antibody injection that targets nerve growth factor. Joint injections and supplements may also be suggested.

Surgery is reserved for severe cases or for treating the underlying cause, such as repairing a cruciate ligament. Options include joint fusion, removing the ball of the hip, or total joint replacement.

The ACVS says that with appropriate management of the arthritis or its primary cause, many dogs enjoy a good quality of life, and medical management lets most live long, active lives.

Prevention

Not every case can be prevented, but you can lower the odds. The most effective step is keeping your dog slim for life. The ACVS notes that diet restriction has reduced arthritis in the hips, elbows and shoulders in dogs.

For puppies, avoid overfeeding and talk to your vet about a feeding plan suited to large breeds, since high-fat, high-protein diets during growth have been linked to elbow arthritis. Keep puppies off slippery floors while they are growing, because slippery surfaces during development have been associated with hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Treat joint injuries and developmental problems promptly. Early care for conditions such as hip dysplasia and cruciate injuries can slow later wear. Ask your vet about the timing of spay or neuter, which has been linked to developmental bone disease.

Finally, build in regular checkups, especially for predisposed dogs, so changes are caught early. Watch for subtle signs such as stiffness after rest, slowing on walks or hesitating at stairs, and mention them at the next visit. Early help is easier than rescuing a very sore joint.