Dog Arthritis Guide: Help your dog move comfortably again
Dog Arthritis Guide: Help your dog move comfortably again
Arthritis in dogs is common and often mistaken for ageing. Learn the early signs, how vets diagnose it, and how to support your dog’s mobility and comfort.
What arthritis is
Arthritis (osteoarthritis) is a progressive joint condition that causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Over time, the cartilage in your dog’s joints wears down, making movement uncomfortable and limiting mobility. It affects dogs of all ages and breeds, although it is more common in older or overweight dogs.
Early signs of arthritis in dogs
Reduced mobility
Diagnosis (what vets do)
- Take a full history of your dog’s movement and behaviour
- Perform a physical and orthopaedic examination
- Assess gait, posture, and muscle condition
- Recommend X-rays or imaging if needed Diagnosis combines your observations with a clinical exam and, where necessary, imaging.
Treatment overview
Arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be managed to improve your dog’s quality of life. Your vet will guide a personalised plan to reduce pain and improve movement. Treatment is usually a long-term, combined approach and may include:
- Vet-prescribed pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication
- Ongoing treatment options depending on your dog’s needs
- Weight management to reduce joint stress
- Controlled exercise to maintain mobility
- Dietary support and joint supplements
Canine OA Exam:
A Visual Guide
See a complete canine osteoarthritis (OA) examination. This video demonstrates posture analysis, muscle evaluation, gait assessment, and proper hand placement for joint examination.
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Home management
- Weight management
- Maintaining a healthy weight reduces pressure on joints and helps improve mobility.
- Exercise Regular, gentle exercise helps maintain muscle and joint function without overloading joints.
- Environment
Frequently Asked Questions
About osteoarthritis in dogs
Osteoarthritis is a condition that leads to pain and progressive degeneration of the joint1. It affects many aspects of a dog’s life, including limited mobility, painful joints, and a poor quality of life. Signs can often be subtle, and dogs will rarely yelp, cry, or vocalise the pain they are experiencing. It is therefore important to look out for signs like limping, slowing down on walks, being slow to rise, and having difficulty jumping.
(reference: https://www2.zoetis.co.za/)
Yes. While many cases of osteoarthritis occur in older, overweight and larger breed dogs, the condition can affect dogs of all sizes, ages and breeds. Many cases go undiagnosed because owners assume slowing down is a natural symptom of getting older
Although the disease cannot be cured your veterinarian can recommend treatments and a long term plan to ensure your dog lives a pain free life
While we can’t stop the disease, we can manage the pain and give dogs a good quality of life. Treating pain can help maintain muscle, reduce weight, and improve quality of life – for all dogs with arthritis. Recognising and treating pain can help restore the important bond between pet owners and their dogs. Although the disease cannot be cured your veterinary surgeon can recommend treatments and a long term plan to ensure your dog lives a pain free life.
Find the
best advice
From Our Trusted Vet
Dr Kenneth
Ask our resident vet Dr Kenneth questions about your dog’s arthritis and get the best advice on how to treat your arthritic dog to ensure that your dog enjoys quality of life pain free
