Osteoarthritis in dogs: signs, treatment and how to help an arthritic dog

Summary

What is osteoarthritis in dogs? 

The most common form of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis, also known as “OA”, rheumatism or degenerative joint disease (DJD). Normal joints have a layer of cartilage which acts as a cushion between the bones providing a smooth surface for the bones to slide over freely. Osteoarthritis refers to the gradual and permanent deterioration of the smooth cartilage surface of the joints. The loss of joint cartilage results in less smooth movement of the bones, inflammation, thickening and stiffening of the joint, and often new bone formation around the joint (osteophytosis).

Osteoarthritis can progress gradually, and dogs may adapt their movement or behaviour long before owners notice obvious pain. Limping is not always the first sign — some dogs simply become less active, slower to rise, or less willing to jump or climb stairs.

Since cartilage has no nerve supply, the joint disease may advance for some time without outward indications. As the disease progresses, bone spurs and thickening of the tissue around the joint can occur, causing more pain and stiffness.

Older dogs, large breeds, athletic and working dogs are at highest risk of developing osteoarthritis, as well as dogs that have hip or elbow dysplasia.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Large-breed dogs that are overweight and have pre-existing joint disease are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. You can do your best to try and reduce the likelihood of your pet getting arthritis by aiming to keep them at an ideal body condition score, and encouraging appropriate exercise to maintain muscle mass.

Cost of osteoarthritis treatment for dogs

Symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs

Many of the early symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs are subtle and gradual behavioural changes, such as a decreased activity level.  Unfortunately, the more obvious signs, like limping, may only occur in the end stages of long-term joint degeneration. The signs usually become more obvious as the osteoarthritis progresses and the pain worsens.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis are often non-specific, and can be caused by other conditions, or be mistaken for normal signs of ageing. These may include:

• A noticeable decrease in activity, and a general slowing down
• Stiffness of movement after rest, which eases as the joint “warms up” with use
• Limping, or favouring a particular limb
• Difficulty or inability to get up with ease, particularly after sleep or rest
• Reluctance to exercise (and to walk, jump, play, climb stairs etc.)
• Spending more time lying down and sleeping
• Struggling to get in or out of the car, or jump down from furniture
• Showing signs of pain or soreness (wincing when touched; irritability; fatigue, etc.)
• Partial or complete lameness, or inability to walk (this can occur suddenly, typically after vigorous or unfamiliar types of exercise)
• Change in gait, such as stiff or rigid walking, or bunny-hopping
• Clicking, grating or popping noises from the joints during movement
• Loss of muscle mass and increased weakness of the affected limbs
• Lagging behind on walks
• Whimpering or yelping in pain
• Behavioural changes, such as being aggressive or withdrawn.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Even when the joint discomfort is not immediately obvious in the physical examination, clues like whether your dog is reluctant to jump or down can help localise the area that they are trying to avoid aggravating. Arthritic dogs tend to loosen up and move more comfortably after some time compared to dogs with a soft tissue injury.

Causes of osteoarthritis in dogs

There are several causes and contributing factors to osteoarthritis. Once triggered, osteoarthritis appears to be a self-perpetuating process with a gradual progression.

Common causes or triggers include:

Ageing

In older dogs, osteoarthritis is typically associated with the ageing process and gradual wear and tear on the joints. However, it is not an inevitable consequence of ageing, as not all dogs succumb to it.

Joint problems

Secondary osteoarthritis in dogs of any age can be triggered by another joint problem, such as:

• Hip dysplasia – abnormal development of the hip
• Elbow dysplasia – abnormal development of the elbow
• Joint disorders, for example, osteochondrosis, a condition in which the bone and cartilage develop abnormally so that a flap of cartilage develops within the joint
• Trauma to the joint, for example, dislocation of the kneecap or shoulder
• Hyperlaxity – an excessive looseness of the joints.

Breed susceptibility

• Larger breeds are more susceptible to different forms of skeletal disorders than smaller dogs.
• Inherited conditions such as hip dysplasia are commonly seen in large breeds such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Staffordshire Terriers, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Old English Sheepdogs, Rottweilers, and Saint Bernards.
• Smaller breeds prone to hip dysplasia include Pugs and French Bulldogs.

Other contributing factors

• Excessive bodyweight and obesity increase the stress on the joints, possibly contributing to early onset osteoarthritis
• Size – generally, the larger the animal, the more likely they are to suffer from osteoarthritis
• Lack of exercise leads to loss of muscle mass and less support for the affected joints
• Post-operative complications from orthopaedic surgery
• Prolonged steroid treatment

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Osteoarthritis is a likely consequence of dogs that have had ligament injuries. The most common injury is cruciate ligament rupture, which is repaired surgically. Often additional supportive treatments may be recommended after cruciate ligament surgery to support the health of the joint moving forward.

How is osteoarthritis in dogs diagnosed?

While osteoarthritis in canines is usually identified from the signs and symptoms exhibited, some of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions. Therefore, it is important that your vet confirms the diagnosis of osteoarthritis by other means, usually a combination of medical history, physical examination and imaging with X-rays.

Medical history and physical examination

The vet will take a thorough history and ask specific questions regarding your dog’s condition. A gait analysis is performed to reveal any subtle lameness and stiffness of gait.

The affected joint or joints are assessed for:

• Discomfort or pain when the joint is manipulated
• Decreased range of motion
• An accumulation of joint fluid (effusion)
• Osteophytes (bone spurs)
• Muscle atrophy (wasting).

Radiography (X-rays)

Radiography, usually performed under sedation or anaesthesia, is the most utilised diagnostic tool for osteoarthritis in dogs. However, it is limited, in that the radiographic signs of osteoarthritis are fairly non-specific.

Radiography may be used to identify:

• Bony changes (osteophytosis) around the affected joint
• Hardening and thickening of bone beneath the cartilage
• A narrowed joint space
• Increased fluid within the joint
• Limited soft tissue changes such as swelling around the joint
• A sample of joint (synovial) fluid may be taken during radiography for laboratory analysis (in osteoarthritic joints the volume of fluid may be increased).

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Interestingly abnormalities on radiographs may not correlate with the dog’s signs. Radiographs are still are helpful tool to evaluate areas where a dog is showing signs of pain, and can help to exclude more worrying findings such as bone cancer.

Other diagnostic tools

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide useful information regarding soft tissue structures (ligaments, menisci).
• Computed tomography (CT) can be used to assess bony changes in complex joints such as elbows, carpi (wrists) or tarsi (ankles). This can be useful in the early stages of disease, as it may help to identify the primary lesion, which may not be present or obvious on radiographs.
• Blood work and urine samples to determine an older dog’s baseline health and to plan appropriate long-term medical therapy.

Prognosis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that continues to worsen with time. The outlook for recovery depends on the location and severity of the joint disease. Appropriate treatment can slow down the progression of disease, ease the pain and improve quality of life. Many dogs can live comfortably for years following diagnosis.

Treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs

Treatment for dog osteoarthritis has improved a great deal in the past few decades. However, there is presently no treatment that can cure or reverse the physical changes caused by degenerative joint disease in dogs, such as loss of cartilage and growth of bone spurs.  Therefore, the main goals of treatment are to alleviate the pain and discomfort in the safest possible manner, and to prevent the condition from worsening, by minimising aggravation of the joint.

The severity of the symptoms and how they affect your dog’s quality of life are the primary determinants of treatment. Based on your dog’s symptoms, age and overall health, your vet may use a combination of medical and surgical approaches, such as:

Exercise routine

• Consistent, daily low-impact activity is essential to help strengthen the muscles around the joint and promote joint stability
• Encourage moderate exercise that is easy on the joints, such as leash walking on flat, even ground
• Swimming is a non-weight bearing exercise that helps maintain muscle mass
• Avoid high impact and exuberant activities such as running, jumping or chasing balls
• If a flare-up occurs, reduce the duration and frequency of exercise, then slowly over a few weeks build back up to previous levels.

Weight management

• Excessive weight means extra pressure on the joints, which accelerates joint changes, increases discomfort and further limits mobility
• Reducing the dog’s body weight to an appropriate level will improve mobility and help minimise further joint damage
• A carefully monitored weight-loss regime, with regular weight checks, is recommended
• In many cases, medication can be reduced when an ideal weight is achieved.

Medication

Osteoarthritis is a long-term disease, and medical management should be aimed at the chronic pain associated with it and not just acute flare-ups. Medical treatment of osteoarthritis has vastly improved over the past few years, and medications are almost always a part of the treatment plan. Always use medications as directed by your vet, and be aware that long term medication can have unpleasant and potentially serious side effects.

Symptom-modifying drugs used to manage osteoarthritis generally aim to relieve the pain associated with the condition, and include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are used to ‘settle’ the joint and reduce pain and inflammation. These can have serious long-term effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, especially in geriatric dogs. These can be titrated to a lowest effective dose to try and combat the gastrointestinal side effects, and can be reserved for flares only in suitable dogs.
• Corticosteroids, which are administered to isolated joints by injection. These often provide rapid but short-lived alleviation of symptoms, and may need repeating once or twice (further repeats, as well as systemic steroid therapy, are not recommended as there can be detrimental side effects to the cartilage).
• Paracetamol
• Bedinvetmab (Beransa in Australia) is a monoclonal antibody drug used for alleviating pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs, although some adverse experiences have been reported. Your vet may consider it after weighing the risks and benefits for your dog.
• Pain relieving drugs designed to manage chronic pain.
• Local intra-articular injections (in the joint) with different agents (corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma, hyaluronic acid)

Nutritional joint supplements

Joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussel and omega-3 fatty acids may help support joint health in some dogs, but results vary. They should be used as part of a broader management plan and discussed with your vet, especially if your dog is already taking medication.

Surgery

If surgery is performed, recovery is usually very good, for example with total joint replacement surgery, where the diseased joint is completely removed and replaced. In other cases, surgery may help alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

Surgical treatment options include:

• Removal of aggravating causes like bone or cartilage fragments
• Total joint replacement / arthroplasty (most commonly of the hips, also available for elbows and stifle)
• Arthrodesis (fusion of the joints, producing a rigid joint, so more suitable to the low motion joints such as the carpus and tarsus)
• Joint stabilization techniques
• Amputation (in extreme cases)
• Arthroscopy, a type of key-hole surgery using a camera, which may be used for direct visual examination of the inside of the affected joint and cartilage, removal of loose fragments or lesions, and joint stabilisation.

Because it is difficult to predict the costs of veterinary care, it can help to have measures in place to help prepare for the unexpected. Pet insurance can help by covering a portion of the eligible vet bill if the unexpected does happen.

Get a quick quote

Environmental changes

• Purchase a comfortable, cushioned mattress or floor-level dog bed positioned away from drafts – this may help to lessen discomfort and stiffness
• Cover your dog with warm, soft blankets when sleeping or resting
• Turn on the heating or provide a jumper/coat to keep your dog warm during the cold winter months.

Additional treatment options

• Massage – learn massage techniques and simple physical therapy. This can be something you learn and then do for your dog at home, or a regular appointment for your dog to get a ‘tune-up’.
• Hydrotherapy – special tanks filled with warm water that have a treadmill on the bottom – the warmth of the water helps to alleviate pain and the level of the water helps to support the weight of the dog as the treadmill moves. Benefits tend to be seen with regular frequency of hydrotherapy, e.g. Weekly.
• Acupuncture – small needles are inserted into areas of inflammation and pain for a short period, usually between 10 and 30 minutes. This is frequently used for elderly pets or pets that are not suited to medications that could cause organ damage or sickness.
• Ultrasound therapy
• Laser therapy

What owners can do to help

Small changes at home can make a big difference to a dog with sore joints. Helpful steps may include:

• Keeping your dog at a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the joints
• Providing soft, supportive bedding in a warm, draught-free area
• Using ramps or steps for cars, beds and couches
• Adding non-slip mats or rugs on slippery floors
• Keeping nails trimmed to improve grip and posture
• Choosing shorter, more frequent walks instead of long or intense exercise
• Avoiding repetitive ball chasing, jumping and high-impact play
• Using a harness rather than pulling on the neck with a collar
• Filming your dog walking, rising or climbing stairs to show your vet subtle changes
• Application of cold and heat to relieve joint pain
• Elevating food bowls to the appropriate level for larger dogs with back or neck stiffness
• Using a harness with a handle to help reduce the amount of load on the joints

When to see the vet

Book a vet visit if your dog is limping, stiff after rest, reluctant to jump or climb stairs, slower on walks, licking at a joint, showing behaviour changes, or struggling to get up. You should seek veterinary advice promptly if your dog suddenly becomes lame, cannot bear weight, cries in pain, seems very weak, or has swelling around a joint.

Can osteoarthritis in dogs be prevented?

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis and other forms of degenerative bone disease cannot be prevented from occurring. However, by modifying your dog’s diet and exercise regimen and providing medication and supplements recommended by your vet, you can lessen the severity of the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Treatment for osteoarthritis will vary according to the dog and owner’s preferences and severity of osteoarthritis. Usually a combination of these therapies will provide the most benefit in a sustainable manner. As this is a progressive disease with flare periods, a maintenance plan should be in place to manage discomfort and additional support for flares as needed.

In conclusion 

Osteoarthritis is a common but manageable joint condition that can affect a dog’s comfort, movement and quality of life. The signs may be subtle at first, so it’s worth paying attention to changes in your dog’s activity, posture, gait and behaviour. With early veterinary advice, weight management, appropriate exercise, pain relief and practical home support, many dogs with osteoarthritis can continue to enjoy happy, comfortable lives for years after diagnosis.

Sources

“Pet Health Monitor 2025”, PetSure, https://petsure.com.au/pet-health-monitor/. Accessed 9 Jul 2026

“Osteoarthritis in Dogs”, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/osteoarthritis-in-dogs/. Accessed 9 Jul 2026

“Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats”, Merck Veterinary Manual, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/osteoarthritis-in-dogs-and-cats/osteoarthritis-in-dogs-and-cats. Accessed 9 Jul 2026

“Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)”, MSD Veterinary Manual, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/bone-joint-and-muscle-disorders-of-dogs/osteoarthritis-degenerative-joint-disease. Accessed 9 Jul 2026

“2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats”, American Animal Hospital Association, https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-aaha-pain-management-guidelines-for-dog-and-cats_updated_060622.pdf. Accessed 9 Jul 2026

“COAST Development Group’s international consensus guidelines for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis”, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1137888/full. Accessed 9 Jul 2026

“Beransa canine injections – Updated labels”, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, https://www.apvma.gov.au/news-and-publications/statements/beransa-canine-injections-updated-labels. Accessed 9 Jul 2026

“Nutrition Guidelines”, World Small Animal Veterinary Association, https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/. Accessed 9 Jul 2026