How to care for and prevent arthritis in dogs

A dog can develop arthritis at any age as the joint cartilage in freely moving joints degenerates over time¹. This degeneration can be caused by abnormal development in the joints; early life joint trauma and repeated trauma; infections; immune system irregularities or even genetic factors.

When a dog is living with arthritis, the joint cartilage in its freely moving joints begins to thin, leading to fluid buildup as well as bony outgrowth formations¹ around the joint. The deteriorating cartilage is coupled with inflammation and oftentimes pain, ultimately affecting how well the joints function.

Arthritis can worsen with time, but with early diagnosis and by following your vet’s recommendations, many dogs can live comfortably with a normal life expectancy².

Are certain breeds at higher risk of developing arthritis?

Although larger dog breeds experience more arthritis than smaller breeds, the condition can affect any breed showcasing common signs of arthritis listed below. Studies have shown Trusted Source PubMed Central Archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. Go to source that german shepherds, labrador retrievers, and English cream golden retrievers commonly experience joint problems like hip dysplasia.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of arthritis¹ in dogs include:

• Impaired activity
• Disinterest in activity such as running, climbing, or jumping
• Lethargy
• Weight gain
• Behavioral changes² such as signs of discomfort or aggression
• Joint swelling (in elbows and knees)
• Thickening or scarring of the joint membrane
• Wasting away of muscle

Your vet will examine your dog’s history and conduct a physical exam for the affected joints to assess for signs of arthritis, including joint swelling. It’s likely they will also use an imaging modality², such as X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better examine ligaments and bone structural changes.

Once diagnosed with arthritis, your vet may recommend a variety of approaches to treatment management to help your dog feel better and progress.

• Pain management medications. Pain control may involve the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. carprofen or ketoprofen) and in some cases, adjunctive pain medications² (i.e. amantadine or tramadol) can be administered for dogs that cannot tolerate the aforementioned NSAIDs. Another vet-recommended medication for pain in dogs that cannot tolerate NSAIDs is Adequan.
• Weight management. Considered the most critical component² of arthritis treatment, weight management may include making adjustments to diet and exercise and better understanding your dog’s ideal body weight—and how to get there.
• Modified exercise. It’s important to limit high-impact activities as they are likely to cause inflammation and pain. Instead, try sticking to a low-impact, therapeutic exercise like leash walking² to help promote joint stability.
• Surgery. Sometimes, surgery is the best choice² for your dog’s health. Your vet may suggest a procedure to aid a ligament rupture or to remove painful joint components.
• Physical rehabilitation. In some cases, your vet may recommend specific animal rehabilitation² such as aqua therapy or even acupuncture. Physical therapy can help your dog regain or improve deteriorated joint function, increase muscle mass, and improve endurance.

👉 Ask your vet about CBD as a natural way to manage your dog’s pain.

How to make your home safe and comfortable for Fido

Cover slippery floors indoors — If you have hardwood or laminate floors—and it’s certainly common among pet owners³ — you’ll want to make sure you prep your space to ensure your dog doesn’t slip or injure itself. Make sure any rugs are secured with non-slip backing and keep your floors clean and dry. Pet owners may want to consider adding carpeting to certain rooms to prevent slipping.

Get a comfortable pet bed — A supportive dog bed not only helps your dog sleep better; it helps cushion your dog’s body and provides relief from arthritis as well as other joint issues. Consider a memory foam or orthopedic bed that contains special interlocking fill materials for extra support.

Raise food bowls off the floor — Modifying your dog’s feeding station so that their water and food bowls are raised off the floor to about shoulder height can help with joint pain. This is because eating from a raised platform allows a neutral spine and the chance to shift their weight back on the pelvic limbs, which is actually a great exercise for dogs with pelvic limb arthritis.

Install ramps or steps in your home — Installing a platform, pedestal, or steps—and teaching your pup how to properly use them—can help them avoid slipping and ultimately both prevent injury and preserve joints³.

👉 Here’s our vet’s 5 favorite doggie ramps for your car and home. 

Gate off dangerous areas such as stairs — Consider adding baby gates to prevent your dog’s access to stairs⁴ and added potential for injury, especially when no one is around to assist in  an emergency.

Maintain your dog’s nails — To reduce added strain on the joints⁴ and help increase traction, keep your dog’s nails nice and short. Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips are also great for preventing your senior dog from slipping on smooth surfaces, such as hardwood floors.

Supporting your dog’s joint health

Feed your dog a high-quality diet — A high-quality diet is always important when caring for a pup and when working to prevent health conditions such as arthritis, but it’s especially necessary to reassess your dog’s nutrients if you are managing the condition. You’ll want to choose food based on your dog’s age and breed and opt for a diet with appropriate levels of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus⁵, all of which need to remain balanced to ensure healthy joints and growth. If you would like to feed your dog a homemade diet, consult with your vet or a veterinary nutrition specialist first.

Aid joint health with supplements — Joint supplements with ingredients like glucosamine or chondroitin can help your dog deal with arthritis pain, because they help stimulate cartilage production. A couple we love: Native Pet’s Relief Supplement and Natural Dog Company Hip & Joint.

👉 Note that supplements aren’t always recommended⁵ for growing large breed puppies; always consult your vet before use.

Help your dog stay at a healthy weight — To prevent arthritis in your dog or manage the condition, it’s imperative that you understand your dog’s ideal weight for their breed and age. Avoid free feeding⁵ as it increases your dog’s risk of obesity, which can set them up for arthritis and other health conditions. Instead, set up a meal schedule and try to stick to it. Never begin a weight loss program for your dog without consulting your vet.

Add omega-3s into your dog’s diet — Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential nutrients for dogs. In fact, using omega-3s in the form of a salmon oil joint supplement can help decrease inflammation and improve your dog’s comfort and mobility. Just make sure you’re not overdoing it; one teaspoon of liquid salmon oil contains about 40 calories!

The vet-approved Native Pet Relief Supplement for Dogs is packed with all-natural, organic ingredients such as green-lipped mussel, a natural polyphenol blend, and turmeric extract. They help alleviate joint pain and improve a dog’s mobility — and they’re made with only nine natural ingredients.