Osteoarthritis
Backed by Dr. Meghan Barrett
THE REALITY OF ARTHRITIS
- Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain in dogs.
- Nearly half of young dogs under four years old already show osteoarthritis on x-rays.
- Up to 80% of dogs over 8 years old have some degree of osteoarthritis.
- It’s not limited to large breeds. Every dog owner should be thinking about joint health and prevention, regardless of their dog's breed, size, or current age.
DESCRIPTION
Everything you need to know in 60 seconds:
arrow_rightWhat is osteoarthritis?
When dogs have osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) or simply arthritis, several changes occur in their joints. The smooth cartilage that covers the bones starts to break down and disappear. Extra bone begins to form in and around the joint causing pain and inflammation. Scar tissue (called fibrosis) also develops around the joint area. Osteoarthritis gets progressively worse over time and cannot be reversed. Once it starts, it will continue to develop throughout your dog's life.
When dogs have osteoarthritis, they experience several difficulties. Their joints lose the ability to "absorb shock," which is normally the job of healthy cartilage. This makes movement more jarring and uncomfortable. Dogs also lose range of motion, meaning they cannot move their joints through their full, normal movement patterns. Additionally, osteoarthritis causes ongoing pain that can significantly impact a dog's quality of life.
arrow_rightWhat causes osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis can develop simply due to aging as dogs get older. Weight management also plays a crucial role in joint health, since extra weight in an overweight or obese dog puts excess pressure on the joints. One study demonstrated just how significant this impact can be: dogs with 25% caloric restriction (with enhanced nutrients) had dramatically lower arthritis rates. By age 8, only 10% of the calorie-restricted dogs had arthritis, compared to 77% in the control group.
Other risk factors include:
- Dogs with improper early nutrition or expedited growth rates.
- Dogs with past injuries or trauma, especially during puppyhood.
- Dogs with diseases affecting ligaments and tendons.
- Any dog with conformational abnormalities (hip/elbow dysplasia).
- Dogs spayed/neutered very early before adequate hormone exposure.
- Dogs with chronically long nails that change their natural gait and joint angles.
arrow_rightWhich dogs can get osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis can affect any dog, regardless of their breed, whether they are male or female, and at any age. For dogs that live into their senior years, joint degeneration is expected. What matters most is how quickly it progresses and when we need to step in with supportive care.
Many cases of osteoarthritis are preventable or can be significantly delayed through proper early care, appropriate exercise, weight management, and avoiding early trauma or hormonal disruption.
Symptoms
Keep an eye out for these signs in your dog & track any symptoms you notice.
Dogs with arthritis often don't show obvious signs of pain, which makes it challenging for dog parents to know how much their dog is suffering. Many dogs naturally conceal discomfort, so it's important to watch for subtle changes in behavior and movement patterns.
Any stiffness after your dog has been lying down should be taken seriously, as this typically signals an underlying joint or muscle problem. The key is paying close attention to small changes in your dog's daily routine and movement.
These signs often become more noticeable when your dog starts moving after resting for a while. Recording videos of how your dog moves when they're young and feeling good can help you spot gradual changes over time.
If you notice any of these changes, it's time to schedule a veterinary appointment for proper evaluation.
DIAGNOSTICS
It's important to remember that limping or stiffness doesn't automatically mean your dog has arthritis. Your dog could have a neurologic condition, muscle restriction, or other conditions affecting their movement. Getting X-rays to confirm arthritis is crucial before starting any treatment, particularly before using arthritis-specific medications. X-rays are performed to look for changes in the bones and to check for joint swelling.
Testing for osteoarthritis starts with a physical exam by your veterinarian. This will typically involve a gait analysis, which means watching carefully how your dog walks and moves to spot any problems.
IMPORTANT
If your vet suggests arthritis treatment based only on a physical exam, ask for X-rays first to confirm the diagnosis before beginning any medication.
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed and staged based on the COAST Development Group guidelines from Stage 0 to Stage 4:
Normal, no risk factors
Normal, but has risk factors
Mild signs
Moderate signs
Severe signs
Depending on your dog's condition, your vet may also perform other tests:
- Cytology of the joint where your vet will take fluid from the joint to assess the level of inflammation.
- Advanced imaging like CT scans may be necessary to get a clearer picture of what's happening inside the joint.
TREATMENT
When your dog is living with arthritis, a multimodal approach can significantly improve their quality of life and may even reduce dependence on pharmaceutical interventions. The goal shifts from prevention to managing existing conditions while supporting the body's natural healing processes. Small changes to your dog’s environment, diet, and exercise routine can greatly improve your dog’s quality of life with a joint disease.
- Why It Matters:
Early joint support can help prevent cartilage damage before it becomes irreversible. Once cartilage is significantly damaged, the goal shifts from prevention to managing existing arthritis. Starting support during puppyhood or at the first signs of risk factors allows intervention while joints are still healthy and responsive to protective measures.
- What You Can Do:
- Identify high-risk candidates, such as breeds prone to joint issues, dogs with conformational abnormalities, injury history, or early spay/neuter
- Start with Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) as it has the most evidence for joint disease management, specifically in decreasing inflammation and reducing the signs and progression of osteoarthritis. It’s also safe for puppies and provides multiple health benefits beyond joints.
Don’t wait for symptoms because by the time symptoms are obvious, significant cartilage damage may already be present
- Why It Matters:
Early joint support can help prevent cartilage damage before it becomes irreversible. Once cartilage is significantly damaged, the goal shifts from prevention to managing existing arthritis. Starting support during puppyhood or at the first signs of risk factors allows intervention while joints are still healthy and responsive to protective measures.
- What You Can Do:
- Identify high-risk candidates, such as breeds prone to joint issues, dogs with conformational abnormalities, injury history, or early spay/neuter
- Start with Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) as it has the most evidence for joint disease management, specifically in decreasing inflammation and reducing the signs and progression of osteoarthritis. It’s also safe for puppies and provides multiple health benefits beyond joints.
Don’t wait for symptoms because by the time symptoms are obvious, significant cartilage damage may already be present
- Why It Matters:
Early joint support can help prevent cartilage damage before it becomes irreversible. Once cartilage is significantly damaged, the goal shifts from prevention to managing existing arthritis. Starting support during puppyhood or at the first signs of risk factors allows intervention while joints are still healthy and responsive to protective measures.
- What You Can Do:
- Identify high-risk candidates, such as breeds prone to joint issues, dogs with conformational abnormalities, injury history, or early spay/neuter
- Start with Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) as it has the most evidence for joint disease management, specifically in decreasing inflammation and reducing the signs and progression of osteoarthritis. It’s also safe for puppies and provides multiple health benefits beyond joints.
Don’t wait for symptoms because by the time symptoms are obvious, significant cartilage damage may already be present
- Why It Matters:
Early joint support can help prevent cartilage damage before it becomes irreversible. Once cartilage is significantly damaged, the goal shifts from prevention to managing existing arthritis. Starting support during puppyhood or at the first signs of risk factors allows intervention while joints are still healthy and responsive to protective measures.
- What You Can Do:
- Identify high-risk candidates, such as breeds prone to joint issues, dogs with conformational abnormalities, injury history, or early spay/neuter
- Start with Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) as it has the most evidence for joint disease management, specifically in decreasing inflammation and reducing the signs and progression of osteoarthritis. It’s also safe for puppies and provides multiple health benefits beyond joints.
Don’t wait for symptoms because by the time symptoms are obvious, significant cartilage damage may already be present
- Why It Matters:
Early joint support can help prevent cartilage damage before it becomes irreversible. Once cartilage is significantly damaged, the goal shifts from prevention to managing existing arthritis. Starting support during puppyhood or at the first signs of risk factors allows intervention while joints are still healthy and responsive to protective measures.
- What You Can Do:
- Identify high-risk candidates, such as breeds prone to joint issues, dogs with conformational abnormalities, injury history, or early spay/neuter
- Start with Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) as it has the most evidence for joint disease management, specifically in decreasing inflammation and reducing the signs and progression of osteoarthritis. It’s also safe for puppies and provides multiple health benefits beyond joints.
Don’t wait for symptoms because by the time symptoms are obvious, significant cartilage damage may already be present
- Why It Matters:
Early joint support can help prevent cartilage damage before it becomes irreversible. Once cartilage is significantly damaged, the goal shifts from prevention to managing existing arthritis. Starting support during puppyhood or at the first signs of risk factors allows intervention while joints are still healthy and responsive to protective measures.
- What You Can Do:
- Identify high-risk candidates, such as breeds prone to joint issues, dogs with conformational abnormalities, injury history, or early spay/neuter
- Start with Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) as it has the most evidence for joint disease management, specifically in decreasing inflammation and reducing the signs and progression of osteoarthritis. It’s also safe for puppies and provides multiple health benefits beyond joints.
Don’t wait for symptoms because by the time symptoms are obvious, significant cartilage damage may already be present
- Why It Matters:
Early joint support can help prevent cartilage damage before it becomes irreversible. Once cartilage is significantly damaged, the goal shifts from prevention to managing existing arthritis. Starting support during puppyhood or at the first signs of risk factors allows intervention while joints are still healthy and responsive to protective measures.
- What You Can Do:
- Identify high-risk candidates, such as breeds prone to joint issues, dogs with conformational abnormalities, injury history, or early spay/neuter
- Start with Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) as it has the most evidence for joint disease management, specifically in decreasing inflammation and reducing the signs and progression of osteoarthritis. It’s also safe for puppies and provides multiple health benefits beyond joints.
Don’t wait for symptoms because by the time symptoms are obvious, significant cartilage damage may already be present
- Why It Matters:
Early joint support can help prevent cartilage damage before it becomes irreversible. Once cartilage is significantly damaged, the goal shifts from prevention to managing existing arthritis. Starting support during puppyhood or at the first signs of risk factors allows intervention while joints are still healthy and responsive to protective measures.
- What You Can Do:
- Identify high-risk candidates, such as breeds prone to joint issues, dogs with conformational abnormalities, injury history, or early spay/neuter
- Start with Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) as it has the most evidence for joint disease management, specifically in decreasing inflammation and reducing the signs and progression of osteoarthritis. It’s also safe for puppies and provides multiple health benefits beyond joints.
Don’t wait for symptoms because by the time symptoms are obvious, significant cartilage damage may already be present