Arthritis in Dogs: Signs, Treatment and Living Well

At a glance

What it is	Ongoing inflammation and gradual damage to the joints, causing pain and stiffness
Who's at risk	Older dogs and large or giant breeds most often, but also younger dogs with joint problems, past injuries or excess weight
Main signs	Stiffness after rest, slowness on stairs, reluctance to jump, licking joints, changes in mood or behaviour
Contagious?	No
Can it be prevented?	Not always, but keeping your dog lean and active lowers the risk and slows it down

What it is

A healthy joint is where two bones meet, cushioned by smooth cartilage and lubricated by joint fluid, so the bones glide easily against each other. In arthritis — usually osteoarthritis in dogs — the cartilage gradually wears and thins, the joint becomes inflamed, and the body may lay down extra bone around the edges. The result is a joint that is stiff, less flexible and painful to move.

Arthritis tends to be a slowly progressive condition. It develops over months and years, and the changes in the joint can't usually be reversed. The good news is that a lot can be done to ease pain, protect the joints and keep dogs moving.

It is often thought of as an old dog's problem, and it is certainly common in senior dogs. But it can begin much earlier. Common contributors include:

• Joint development problems, such as hip or elbow dysplasia, which can cause arthritis in young dogs
• Previous injuries, for example a torn knee ligament or a fracture involving a joint
• Excess weight, which puts extra strain on joints and also adds to inflammation in the body
• Size and breed, with large and giant breeds more often affected
• Age, as years of normal wear add up

Healthy joint

Smooth cartilage (blue) cushions the bones so they glide without pain.

Arthritic joint

Cartilage thins, the joint becomes inflamed (red) and bony growths form at the edges — so movement hurts and stiffens.

Signs to watch for

Dogs are very good at hiding pain, and arthritis creeps on slowly, so early signs are easy to put down to "just getting older". Look out for:

• Stiffness when getting up, especially after rest or first thing in the morning, that eases once they get going
• Being slower or more hesitant on stairs
• Reluctance to jump into the car or onto the sofa
• Lagging behind on walks, wanting to turn home sooner, or sitting down mid-walk
• Limping, or a change in the way they walk or sit
• Licking or chewing at a particular joint
• Difficulty squatting to toilet
• Muscle loss, particularly over the back legs
• Being restless at night or struggling to get comfortable
• Behaviour changes, such as being grumpier, less playful, avoiding being touched in certain places, or snapping when a sore area is handled

Cold, damp weather and overdoing exercise can make signs worse for a while.

Our guide on when a limp needs attention and the symptom checker can help you make sense of what you notice. A vet can then work out whether arthritis or something else is the cause.

When to see a vet

Book a routine appointment if you notice any of the gradual signs above. There is no need to wait until your dog is obviously lame — the earlier arthritis is recognised, the more you can do to slow it down and keep your dog comfortable.

Contact your vet sooner if your dog:

• Suddenly starts limping badly or won't put weight on a leg
• Has a hot, swollen or very painful joint
• Seems to be in pain, is panting, trembling or restless without obvious reason
• Is unwell in other ways, such as off their food, or has a fever
• Has a lump on a leg or a lameness that keeps getting worse

These signs can point to an injury, infection or another condition that needs prompt attention.

How vets diagnose it

Your vet will start by asking about the changes you have seen at home. It helps a lot to bring notes or short videos of your dog getting up, walking, using stairs or jumping, because dogs often hide stiffness in the excitement of a vet visit.

They will watch your dog walk and then examine each joint, feeling for swelling, thickening, heat, grating and pain, and checking how far each joint can comfortably bend and stretch. They will also look at muscle mass and body condition.

To confirm arthritis, see which joints are affected and rule out other problems, your vet may suggest X-rays, which usually need sedation or a general anaesthetic. In some cases they may also recommend blood tests — particularly before starting long-term pain relief — or, less often, take a sample of joint fluid or use other imaging.

Treatment and management

Arthritis is usually managed rather than cured, and the best results come from combining several approaches. Your vet will help you build a plan for your dog.

Weight control matters a great deal. For an overweight dog, losing excess weight is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce pain — sometimes as helpful as medication. Even modest weight loss can make a noticeable difference. Ask your vet to help you set a target and a safe rate of loss, and see our guide to healthy weight and body condition. The tools on our pet calculators page can help you keep track.

Regular, gentle exercise. Joints stay healthier when they keep moving. Several shorter, steady walks on softer ground are usually better than one long or very energetic outing. Try to keep exercise consistent day to day, and avoid sudden bursts of ball chasing, sharp turns and lots of jumping, which can jar sore joints.

Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. A qualified animal physiotherapist can suggest exercises to build muscle and keep joints supple. Hydrotherapy, using an underwater treadmill or supported swimming, lets dogs build strength without bearing their full weight. Your vet can refer you to someone suitable.

Pain relief prescribed by your vet. Arthritis is painful, and controlling that pain is important for your dog's welfare. Your vet can prescribe medicines that reduce pain and inflammation, and will monitor your dog while they take them. Never give your dog human painkillers. Many common household painkillers are toxic to dogs and can cause serious harm, even in small amounts. Only use what your vet has prescribed for your dog.

Other options. Your vet may also discuss joint supplements, special diets, or other treatments. In some dogs, surgery may be an option, particularly where arthritis is linked to a specific joint problem.

Prevention

Not all arthritis can be prevented, particularly when it is linked to how a dog's joints developed. But you can lower the risk and slow its progress:

• Keep your dog at a lean, healthy weight throughout life.
• Provide regular, moderate exercise rather than occasional intense activity.
• For large-breed puppies, follow your vet's advice on diet and exercise during growth.
• If you are choosing a puppy from a breed prone to joint problems, ask the breeder about health screening of the parents.
• Get injuries and limps checked promptly, so they can be treated properly.

Living with it

Small changes around the home can make a real difference to a dog with arthritis:

• Rugs and runners on slippery floors help prevent slips and give your dog confidence.
• Ramps or steps to help them into the car or onto the sofa, if they are allowed up, save their joints from jumping.
• A supportive, padded bed in a warm, draught-free spot eases stiffness.
• Raised food and water bowls may help some dogs.
• Stair gates can stop them tackling stairs alone if these are a struggle.
• Keep their nails trimmed, as long nails change the way they stand and walk.
• A coat for cold, wet walks may help some dogs.

Tracking activity shows gradual change. Because arthritis comes on slowly, it is easy to miss small shifts. Keeping a simple diary — how long walks last, how easily your dog gets up, whether they still jump into the car, how well they sleep — helps you and your vet see whether things are improving or getting worse, and whether treatment needs adjusting. Short videos taken every few weeks can be especially useful.

Arthritis is a long-term condition, and your dog's needs will change over time. Regular check-ups with your vet, along with the steps above, can help your dog stay comfortable, active and content. Our guide to caring for a senior dog has more ideas for the later years.