Arthritis in Dogs: Signs, Stages, Treatment & How to Keep Your Dog Comfortale

Arthritis is something many pet owners associate with very old dogs. The slow walk, difficulty getting out of bed and stiff back legs.

But osteoarthritis can begin much earlier than that. 

Research has found radiographic osteoarthritis in young dogs too. That’s arthritis showing up on an xray. Other studies have identified age, body weight, breed, genetics, joint conformation and previous orthopaedic disease or injury as factors associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.

And because our dogs can't tell us that getting off the floor hurts, some of the earliest signs can be surprisingly easy to dismiss as slowing down, stubbornness or simply getting older.

The good news is that there are now many ways to support your dog living with arthritis. Management will look different for every pet and may involve weight management, appropriate exercise, changes around the home, rehabilitation, medication, injections, supplements, red light therapy and, for some dogs, surgery.

Here's what you need to know.

Important: This guide is general educational information and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Arthritis can resemble other orthopaedic or neurological conditions. If you have any concerns or your pet is showing pain, lameness or changes in mobility, have them assessed by your vet before starting a treatment program. 

What is arthritis in dogs?

When we talk about arthritis in dogs, we're most commonly talking aboutosteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease.

A healthy joint allows two bones to move smoothly against one another. The ends of the bones are covered in cartilage and the joint contains synovial fluid, which helps lubricate movement.

With osteoarthritis, the joint progressively changes. Cartilage is damaged, inflammation develops and changes can occur to the surrounding bone and soft tissues.

This can cause:

• Pain

• Stiffness

• Reduced range of motion

• Difficulty moving

• Changes in gait

• Reduced activity

• Muscle loss

• Changes in behaviour and quality of life

Osteoarthritis is achronic and progressive disease. You can't simply reverse an arthritic joint back to normal.

But that doesn't mean there is nothing you can do.

Modern arthritis care is increasingly aboutmultimodal management. That’s  using several strategies together to control pain, preserve mobility, maintain muscle and help your dog continue doing the things they enjoy. Veterinary pain-management guidelines specifically advocate a proactive, multimodal approach to chronic pain. 

What causes arthritis in dogs?

There isn't one single cause.

In dogs, osteoarthritis commonly develops after another problem has been affecting your dog’s joint.

These can include:

Developmental joint conditions

Conditions such as:

• Hip dysplasia

• Elbow dysplasia

• Patellar luxation

• Osteochondrosis

• Abnormal joint conformation

can alter the way forces travel through a joint and contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.

Interestingly, research examining young dogs suggests osteoarthritis may begin much earlier in life than you may realise and supports the role of developmental joint disease in osteoarthritis in dogs.

Previous injury

If your dog has a previous ligament, joint or bone injury, it can increase the likelihood of degenerative changes developing later.

A common example is cranial cruciate ligament disease affecting your dogs knee. 

Genetics and breed

Some breeds are more predisposed to orthopaedic conditions that can ultimately lead to arthritis. Now, we can’t list every breed, and there are other factors as well, but these are some of the breeds who may be at higher risk: 

• Labrador Retrievers

• Golden Retrievers

• German Shepherds

• Rottweilers

• Bernese Mountain Dogs

• Newfoundlands

• Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs

• Great Danes and other giant breeds

• Boxers

• Staffordshire Bull Terriers / larger bull breeds

• Chow Chows

• Shar Peis

• Dogue de Bordeaux

• English Springer Spaniels

• Corgis

• Bulldogs

• Dachshunds

• Basset Hounds

Age

As your dog gets older, much like us, arthritis is more common. However, arthritis shouldnot be considered exclusively an old-dog disease. 

In a 2024 study of 123 dogs aged under four years, researchers found radiographic OA in at least one limb joint in 39.8% of the dogs studied. This doesn’t mean that  40% of all younger dogs have arthritis, but it does highlight how early joint changes can occur, and that management is important to maintain the best quality of life for your furry best friend! 

Body weight

Higher body weight is an important modifiable risk factor. My dog loves a treat as much as the next, but keeping your dog on the leaner side can be one of the best things you do for their joints. 

Extra weight doesn't just mean more weight for sore joints to carry. Body fat can also contribute to inflammation in the body — two things we don't want when we're trying to keep an arthritic dog comfortable and moving. 

Research shows that maintaining body weight is one of the things you can control when managing the disease and mitigating risk.

This is why keeping your dog healthy, with a lean body condition is one of the most important things you can do for your dog’s joint health.

What are the signs of arthritis in dogs?

One of the most important things to understand is thatarthritis doesn't always look like obvious limping.

Chronic pain often presents differently from an acute injury.

It can be so easy to miss gradual behavioural changes associated with chronic pain in our pets, and our dogs may alter their posture, behaviour and movement to minimise discomfort.

Keep an eye out for:

Difficulty getting up

Your dog may hesitate before standing or appear particularly stiff after sleeping.

Slowing down on walks

A dog who once pulled you around the block may start walking behind you, stopping more frequently or wanting shorter walks.

Reluctance to jump

They may stop jumping onto:

• The couch

• Your bed

• Into the car

• Their favourite chair

Don't automatically assume they've simply become less adventurous.

Difficulty with stairs

Goingdown stairs can sometimes be particularly challenging because of the load placed through the joints.

Limping or altered gait

This may be constant or intermittent.

Your dog may appear stiff when they first get up and then seem to "warm out of it."

Bunny hopping

Some dogs with hip discomfort move both hind legs together when running. This is something my own bulldog does. 

Reduced play

Your dog might still want to participate but they just might not play as long as they used to. 

Sleeping more

Reduced activity may be subtle and easily attributed to ageing.

Licking a joint or limb

Repeated licking can sometimes indicate discomfort.

Muscle loss

Chronic unloading of a painful limb can eventually lead to visible loss of muscle.

Behaviour changes

Pain can also look like:

• Irritability

• Becoming withdrawn

• Not wanting to be touched

• Less enthusiasm

• Restlessness

• Difficulty settling

• Changes in mood 

Slipping more often

Reduced strength, altered gait and painful joints can make slippery flooring increasingly difficult to navigate for your dog. 

KNOW YOUR DOG

You know what normal looks like for your dog better than anyone. Sometimes the first sign isn't an obvious limp — it's that they don't jump onto the couch anymore, they're suddenly waiting for you to lift them into the car or they're hanging back halfway through your usual walk.

Don't dismiss those little changes just because your dog is getting older. Take a video, keep track of what you're noticing and bring it up at their next vet visit.

Arthritis isn't just an old-dog problem

This deserves its own section because it's one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding arthritis in dogs.

Remember that study we mentioned earlier? Researchers looked at 123 dogs under four years old and found signs of arthritis on x-rays in almost 40% of them. That doesn't mean 40% of all young dogs have arthritis, but here's the really interesting part — owners had only noticed changes in around one-third of the dogs where arthritis was identified. 

A younger dog may still run, jump and play despite joint disease.

Their signs may instead be subtle changes inhow they move.

That makes your dog’s routine vet checkups particularly important for dogs with known risk factors such as hip or elbow dysplasia, previous joint injury, high body weight or breed predisposition. 

What are the stages of arthritis in dogs?

Vets sometimes use a framework called the Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool (COAST) to help assess where a dog sits in the progression of arthritis. 

Rather than waiting until a dog is severely affected, COAST considers arthritis across a range from a healthy dog with no known risk factors through to severe clinical disease. Let’s look at the scale. 

Stage 0 — Clinically normal

Your dog has no clinical signs and no recognised OA risk factors.

Stage 1 — At risk

Your dog is clinically normal but has one or more risk factors.

That might include their:

• Breed 

• Previous joint injury

• Excess body weight

• High-impact activity

• Increasing age

This is an important stage because there may already be things you can do to protect long-term joint health for your dog. 

Stage 2 — Mild osteoarthritis

Clinical signs are present but mild.

You might notice intermittent stiffness, occasional lameness or subtle changes in your dog’s activity.

Stage 3 — Moderate osteoarthritis

Mobility changes and pain become more significant in your dog and management generally needs to become more intensive.

Stage 4 — Severe osteoarthritis

Your dog has severe clinical signs and their mobility and quality of life may be significantly affected. 

The aim isn't simply to wait for a dog to progress through these stages. Early recognition gives not only you and your dog but also your veterinary team an opportunity to intervene.

 

How is arthritis diagnosed?

It all starts with a trip to the vet. They are the ones qualified to assess your dog’s individual situation. 

Diagnosis may involve:

• Your dog's history

• Changes you've noticed at home

• Watching your dog walk

• Orthopaedic examination

• Assessing joint movement

• Palpation for pain

• Muscle assessment

• X-rays

• Occasionally additional imaging or joint testing

One useful tip is tofilm your dog at home.

Dogs don't always behave normally at the vet clinic.

You can collect videos of your dog:

• Getting out of bed

• Walking

• Trotting

• Using stairs

• Getting into the car

• Sitting and standing

And this can give your vet useful information about how your dog is functioning day to day.

 

Can arthritis in dogs be cured?

Generally, osteoarthritis itself is not considered curable. 

The structural changes within an arthritic joint cannot simply be undone.

The good news, arthritis can be managed.

Successful management  for your dog is about much more than giving a painkiller once your dog becomes uncomfortable.

The aim is to:

• Reduce pain

• Maintain mobility

• Maintain muscle

• Reduce unnecessary stress on affected joints

• Support normal activity

• Adapt your dog's environment

• Monitor progression

• Preserve quality of life

How is arthritis in dogs treated?

There is no single "best arthritis treatment" for every dog.

Current vet guidance supports amultimodal approach where treatments are combined according to your individual dog's needs.

1. Weight management

This might be one of the least exciting treatments on this list — but it's one of the most important.

If your dog is overweight, even relatively modest weight reduction can make a measurable difference.

A clinical study of obese dogs with osteoarthritis found significant improvement in lameness once dogs lost around6% of their body weight.

Another study found weight reduction alone improved clinical signs of lameness in overweight dogs with hip OA.

Ask your vet what an appropriate body condition and weight target looks like foryour dog.

 

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2. Keep them moving — appropriately

It can be tempting to stop exercising a dog with arthritis.

But complete inactivity can actually make things worse:

Pain → less movement → muscle loss → reduced joint support → even less movement.

Controlled exercise helps preserve:

• Muscle

• Strength

• Balance

• Joint movement

• Cardiovascular health

Movement really does matter. Appropriate activity and therapeutic exercise can be an important part of managing chronic arthritis pain — the key is finding the right kind and amount of exercise for your individual dog.

Thinkconsistent and controlled rather than weekend warrior.

A comfortable daily walk may be more appropriate than doing very little all week followed by an enormous hike on Sunday for your dog. 

Depending on your individual dog, rehabilitation may incorporate:

• Controlled walking

• Hydrotherapy

• Underwater treadmill

• Strengthening exercises

• Balance work

• Range-of-motion exercises

Work with your vet or canine rehabilitation professional to determine what's suitable.

3. Medication and pain relief

For many dogs, appropriate pain medication is an important part of maintaining mobility and quality of life.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) remain among the best-supported pharmacological treatments for canine OA pain.

Other medications may sometimes be added depending on your dog's pain and circumstances.

Medication decisions should always be made with your veterinarian, particularly because factors such as kidney, liver, gastrointestinal and other health conditions can affect which medicines are appropriate. 

Never give your dog human pain medication unless your veterinarian has specifically instructed you to do so. 

 

4. Arthritis and joint-support injections

Depending on your dog's condition and where you live, your vet may discuss injectable therapies.

These can include different categories of treatment rather than one generic "arthritis injection." We won’t list all of them, because there are a few different kinds and I may end up butchering the spelling, but chatting to your vet is going to be the best way to find out information relevant to your dog. 

From personal experience, my own Great Dane Willow used to have Cartrophen injections as part of the management plan for her hip issues when she was younger. That's just what was recommended for her individual situation — your vet is the best person to talk to about whether an injectable treatment has a place in your dog's plan.

 

5. Supplements and diet

The pet supplement space can become confusing very quickly.

You'll see products containing:

• Glucosamine

• Chondroitin

• Green-lipped mussel

• UC-II/type II collagen

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Turmeric/curcumin

• Various combinations of joint-support ingredients

Not all have the same level of evidence.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Among nutritional interventions,omega-3 fatty acids have some of the better research and proven evidence in dogs.

Randomised studies have actually reported improvements in weight bearing, mobility and clinical signs in dogs with OA who were fed omega-3-enriched diets.

What about glucosamine and chondroitin?

They're extremely popular, but the evidence is considerably less convincing than their popularity might suggest.

One review found that for dogs and cats with arthritis, evidence was poor overall for these supplements, with stronger evidence for omega-3-enriched diets than for many commonly used joint supplements.

That doesn't mean every supplement is useless. It just means you shouldn't assume something marketed for ‘joint health’ has good evidence behind it. There can also be big differences between products, ingredients and doses, so this is another area where it's worth asking your vet what they actually recommend for your dog.

Ask your vet about the particular product, ingredients and dose rather than simply choosing the bottle with the most impressive label.

6. Red light therapy or photobiomodulation

This is obviously an area particularly close to us at Dundies, so it's important that we're also transparent about what the research actually says.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) uses specific wavelengths of red and/or near-infrared light delivered into tissue.

It is used in veterinary rehabilitation as a non-invasive physical modality and has been studied for musculoskeletal conditions including osteoarthritis. 

Importantly,red light therapy should not be presented as a cure for arthritis or a replacement for veterinary care. 

Rather, red light is best used within a broader arthritis-management program. Use it as an add on to your pets arthritis plan, not the only tool or treatment you use. 

What does the research in dogs show?

There are some promising canine clinical studies.

A2018 randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated red light therapy in dogs with naturally occurring elbow osteoarthritis. The study reported improvements in several outcome measures in the treated group. 

A2022 randomised double-blinded controlled trial studied red light in dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis. The researchers reported improvements in pain/function measures following treatment. 

Another study examining low-level laser therapy in dogs with OA found increased physical activity following treatment, measured using activity monitoring.

Research has also examined red light therapy in combination with other interventions, including platelet-rich plasma.

But there is an important limitation

The evidence base is still relatively small. We're seeing some really promising research in dogs, but there simply aren't the huge number of studies behind Red Light Therapy that exist for some of the more established arthritis treatments.

Different studies use different:

• Wavelengths

• Power

• Energy doses

• Treatment schedules

• Devices

• OA locations

• Outcome measures

That makes it difficult to assume that the result obtained with one red light protocol will automatically apply to every red-light device or treatment schedule. 

First-line treatments such as NSAIDs, weight management, exercise and environmental modification have more research but red light is a great secondary management option.

That's an important distinction, however. 

Promising evidence does not equal a miracle cure for your dog.

At Dundies, we view Red Light Therapy as one tool that can be incorporated into a broader mobility and wellness routine — alongside appropriate veterinary care, weight management, controlled activity and other treatments recommended for your individual dog.

 

7. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Canine rehabilitation can be enormously useful for dogs whose arthritis has changed the way they move.

A rehabilitation professional may work on:

• Strength

• Muscle symmetry

• Balance

• Range of motion

• Gait

• Flexibility

• Safe exercise progression

This is particularly valuable because pain can cause your dog to compensate for one joint and subsequently place additional strain elsewhere in their body.

 

8. Surgery

Some dogs have an underlying structural problem where surgery may be appropriate.

This can include procedures for:

• Cranial cruciate ligament disease

• Hip dysplasia

• Elbow disease

• Patellar luxation

• Joint instability

For severe hip disease,total hip replacement may be considered in selected dogs.

Surgery isn't appropriate for every dog or every arthritic joint, and it doesn't replace ongoing management of OA elsewhere in the body.

An orthopaedic veterinary surgeon can advise whether surgical intervention is appropriate for your dog.

 

Small changes at home can make a BIG difference

This is one of the easiest areas you might overlook as an owner.

You can't change your dog's joints overnight.

Youcan change the environment they're navigating every day.

Add a ramp to the car

Repeatedly jumping out of a tall SUV or ute puts significant force through your dog’s limbs.

A sturdy dog ramp can allow your dog to walk in and out instead.

Train them to use itbefore they're severely arthritic.

Reduce unnecessary jumping

Consider steps or ramps for:

• Beds

• Couches

• Vehicles

• Other favourite elevated areas

Deal with slippery floors

Tiles and polished timber can become incredibly difficult for a dog with reduced strength.

Try:

• Hall runners

• Non-slip mats

• Carpet tiles

• Yoga mats in high-traffic areas

Pay particular attention to the route between their:

Bed → water → door → favourite resting place.

Keep nails and paw hair maintained

Overgrown nails and excessive hair between your dog’s paw pads can reduce traction.

Upgrade their bed

An arthritic dog may appreciate:

• Supportive bedding

• Plenty of space to change position

• Warmth

• A bed that's easy to step into

• A location that doesn't require stairs

Raise bowls if appropriate

If your dog has a painful neck, shoulder or forelimb they may find an altered feeding height more comfortable. Your vet or rehabilitation professional can help determine what's appropriate height wise.

 

Can arthritis in dogs be prevented?

Not every case can be prevented.

Genetics, developmental disease, conformation and previous injuries aren't always within your  control.

But there are things you can do to reduce modifiable risk factors and support your dog’s joint health.

Keep your dog lean

This is probably the biggest one.

Don't wait until your dog develops arthritis before paying attention to weight.

Build appropriate fitness

Strong muscles help support joints.

Exercise should be appropriate for your dog's:

• Age

• Breed

• Development

• Fitness

• Orthopaedic health

Avoid repetitive excessive impact

More isn't always better.

Particularly in growing dogs, sensible exercise is preferable to repetitive high-impact loading.

Address injuries properly

Don't repeatedly "walk off" unexplained lameness.

An injury that changes joint stability can contribute to OA later.

Screen predisposed dogs

If your dog belongs to a breed predisposed to hip or elbow dysplasia or other orthopaedic conditions, discuss screening with your veterinarian.

 

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Products that can make life easier for an arthritic dog

You don't need to buy your dog an entire house full of mobility equipment.

Start with the problemsyour dog actually has.

A quality car ramp

Look for:

• Appropriate weight rating

• Non-slip surface

• Gentle incline

• Stable construction

• Width appropriate for your dog

Non-slip runners / Floor mats 

One of the cheapest and most useful home modifications.

Supportive bed

Look for something supportive but not so tall or soft that your dog struggles to climb out.

Harness

A well-fitted harness can give you more control and, where appropriate, allow gentle assistance without pulling on your dog's neck.

For dogs with substantial hind-limb weakness, specialised support harnesses are also available.

Omega-3 joint diet/supplement

Discuss an appropriate product and dose with your vet rather than choosing solely on marketing claims. You’ll need to know how much to give based on your dogs weight to see the desired results. 

Red Light Therapy

For owners interested in incorporating PBMT red light therapy into their dog's home routine, Dundies offers several formats depending on the area you're trying to target:

Dundies Red Light Therapy Coat — wearable coverage across large areas of the torso/body.

Dundies Red Light Therapy Mat— useful when you want your pet to rest over a larger treatment surface.

Dundies Red Light Therapy Leg Strap — targeted wearable option for limbs/joints where the fit is appropriate.

Dundies Red Light Therapy Pen/Torch — targeted application for smaller or specific areas.

Which format makes sense depends onwhere your dog needs coverage, their size and what they'll comfortably tolerate.

And that last part matters.

The "best" therapy is useless if every session becomes a wrestling match.

 

Don't wait until your dog can't get up

Perhaps the most important takeaway from everything we know about canine osteoarthritis is this:

Don't wait for dramatic symptoms.

Your dog doesn't need to be crying or refusing to walk to be experiencing chronic joint discomfort. 

Changes such as:

• Taking longer to stand

• No longer jumping onto the couch

• Hesitating at the car

• Sleeping more

• Slowing down on walks

• Becoming less playful

• Struggling on slippery floors

are worth paying attention to.

Take videos.

Write down what changes.

Talk to your vet.

And if your dog is diagnosed with arthritis, remember that treatment doesn't have to mean choosing one thing.

The best plan may involve medicationand weight managementand appropriate exerciseand environmental changesand rehabilitationand supportive therapies.

The goal isn't necessarily to make an X-ray look perfect.

It's to help your dog remaincomfortable, mobile and involved in the life they love for as long as possible.

 

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Research & Trusted Resources

Want to do some more reading? Check out these resources we used to help us write this blog. 

American Animal Hospital Association — 2022 Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
Practical veterinary guidance covering assessment and multimodal management of chronic pain, including osteoarthritis.
Read the AAHA guidelines

MSD Veterinary Manual — Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats
Veterinary reference covering signs, diagnosis, COAST staging and current management approaches.
Read the MSD Veterinary Manual overview

Anderson et al. — Risk Factors for Canine Osteoarthritis and Its Predisposing Arthropathies: A Systematic Review
Reviews recognised risk factors for canine OA including genetics, breed, conformation, age and body weight.
Read on PubMed

Enomoto et al. — Prevalence of radiographic appendicular osteoarthritis and associated clinical signs in young dogs
A 2024 study examining radiographic OA and associated pain in dogs under four years old.
Read the full study

Marshall et al. — The effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis
Found improvement in lameness associated with modest weight reduction in overweight dogs with OA.
Read on PubMed

Roush et al. — Omega-3 fatty acids and canine osteoarthritis
Clinical research investigating omega-3-enriched nutrition in dogs with OA.
Read the weight-bearing study on PubMed

Looney et al. — Photobiomodulation therapy in canine elbow osteoarthritis
Randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial investigating PBMT in dogs with naturally occurring elbow OA.
Read on PubMed

Alves et al. — Photobiomodulation therapy in dogs with hip osteoarthritis
Randomised double-blinded controlled trial investigating PBMT in dogs with bilateral hip OA.
Read on PubMed

Barale et al. — Low-level laser therapy and impaired mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis
Study investigating physical activity following low-level laser therapy in dogs with OA.
Read the full study

Corral et al. — Bedinvetmab for pain associated with canine osteoarthritis
Randomised multicentre placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 287 dogs.
Read on PubMed