Understanding Arthritis in Dogs

Many dogs will develop some kind of condition in their lifetime, typically as they get older, but some can affect dogs of any age. According to a study, 1 in 5 dogs will develop arthritis in their lifetime, and canine arthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs. 

Just because your dog is diagnosed with arthritis doesn’t mean they can’t still live a fulfilled and happy life. In this article, we will explain some of the key signs of arthritis in dogs, as well as what arthritis treatments for dogs are available and what you can do to make things easier on your dog. 

What is Canine Arthritis?

Arthritis in dogs (also known as Osteoarthritis) is a condition which involves the deterioration of a dog's joint or joints, which causes a lot of inflammation and pain for them.

Arthritis can affect a dog’s ability to do daily tasks, such as walking, climbing the stairs, and jumping on the sofa, which in turn, can impact their quality of life and overall mood and behaviour. 

What Causes Arthritis in Dogs?

Contrary to popular belief, getting old does not cause arthritis in dogs. Various things can cause arthritis in dogs, but it can be hard to pinpoint a singular cause. Some of the causes may include: 

• Your dog's physical build or breed

• Your dog’s size and weight (overweight dogs are more likely to develop arthritis due to the strain the extra weight adds to their joints) 

• Abnormal joint development (such as hip or elbow dysplasia)

• Any orthopaedic surgeries your dog has had

• Any injuries your dog may have suffered

• Your dog’s nutritional history

Anyone of these things may affect your dog’s likelihood to develop arthritis.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

Like other animals, dogs don’t like to show signs of pain, so spotting arthritis signs early can be difficult.

That said, some changes to your dog’s behaviour and activity levels may indicate they are suffering from arthritis, such as: 

• Walking stiffly

• Licking or chewing at affected areas (such as legs and hips)

• Lameness in one or more limbs

• Difficulty climbing or going downstairs 

• Difficulty jumping up (such as onto the sofa or in the back of a vehicle) 

• Sensitive spots on their body, such as hips, shoulders or legs (this is a clear sign of pain)

• Loss of stamina or refusal to walk for as long as usual

How to Treat Arthritis in Dogs

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis in dogs, nor is there a “fix-all” treatment.

Instead, following a complete physical examination and diagnosis from your vet, your dog is likely to be prescribed something to help manage their pain. Your dog's arthritis treatment plan will be discussed with you by your vet, but may involve:

• Pain medication (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

• Changes in nutrition (this ensures an optimum body condition, including weight management and added joint supporting ingredients. 

• Surgery (at your vet’s discretion)

• Physical rehabilitation or therapies (such as hydrotherapy, therapeutic laser, therapeutic exercise, and more)

When it comes to treating arthritis in dogs, you should only ever do as your vet tells you.

Not every treatment will work for every dog, and your vet will take a number of things into account when devising a treatment plan to suit your dog. 

How to Help Dogs with Arthritis

In addition to the treatment plan developed for your dog by your vet, you can do several things to make day-to-day living with arthritis easier for them. This includes: 

• Switching to a softer, more padded bedding 

• Raising up their water and food bowls 

• Having non-slip flooring in your home or adding rugs can reduce the chance of your dog falling. 

• Installing ramps to help your dog climb any steps, get onto the sofa, or help get them into a vehicle.

• Following your vet’s advice on treatments and any nutritional changes. 

How to Prevent Arthritis in Dogs

While it is difficult to prevent arthritis in dogs due to all the variables involved with the condition, there are some ways you can lessen your dog’s chances of developing it too soon. These include: 

• Maintaining your dog’s optimum body composition (your vet can advise this) 

• Regular exercise 

• Feeding a complete and balanced diet that meets the nutritional needs of your dog

• Introducing dog joint supplements, like the Flexadin UC-II Joint Care for Dogs, to give added support to your dog’s joints. 

You can find out more about how you can care for your dog’s joints in our Guide to Dog Joint Care on our blog. 

Dog Breeds Prone to Arthritis

As we’ve mentioned above, body composition plays a big factor in whether a dog will likely develop arthritis in their lifetime.

This means that due to breeding, some dogs are more prone to developing joint issues than others due to how they’re built, including: 

• Golden Retrievers—Due to their popularity and demand as family dogs, Golden Retrievers may be prone to several conditions, including arthritis, due to unethical breeding practices and a weakened gene pool.

• Labradors—Labradors are a dog breed predisposed to obesity due to their seemingly bottomless appetite and habit of eating anything (and we mean, anything!). This extra weight adds more strain to their joints, which can cause problems such as arthritis in later life. 

• German Shepherds—Since they were bred specifically to have sloped hindquarters, German Shepherd dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, which can often lead to arthritis.

• Rottweilers—These dogs were bred to be bulky and have dense muscles that may be too much for their frames, putting added strain on their joints. 

• Great Danes—Many large dogs are prone to arthritis due to the weight and strain placed on their joints due to their size, and as one of the largest dog breeds, Great Danes are particularly susceptible. 

However, just because your dog is more predisposed to developing arthritis doesn’t mean they definitely will.

By being selective and fully informed when choosing a dog breeder and then monitoring and maintaining the proper care, nutrition and exercise throughout their life, you can help lessen the odds of your dog developing arthritis, or at the very least delay it for as long as possible. 

It’s always hard to see your pet in pain, so we understand the need to keep your dog as fit and healthy as can be.