Arthritis in dogs is a long-term joint condition, most commonly osteoarthritis, that causes pain, stiffness and reduced mobility due to progressive joint damage. Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint condition in dogs and a leading cause of long-term pain and reduced mobility. [10]
Arthritis involves inflammation and structural changes within joints that lead to pain and reduced movement over time. Early signs can be easy to miss, and many owners understandably assume their dog is just slowing down with age. In a large UK study of more than 455,000 dogs seen in everyday veterinary practice, around 2.5% were diagnosed with osteoarthritis in a single year. That equates to roughly 200,000 affected dogs across the UK annually. The typical age at diagnosis was 10.5 years, compared with just over four years for the wider dog population, showing how the risk increases with age. [2]
This pattern might suggest arthritis is only an older dog condition. However, arthritis is not limited to older dogs. In one study of 123 young dogs, 39.8% showed radiographic changes consistent with osteoarthritis on X-ray. When pain assessments were included, 23.6% met the criteria for clinical osteoarthritis, even though many owners had not recognised a problem. [7]
Understanding what arthritis is, why it develops and how it is recognised and managed can help you work with your veterinary practice to support your dog's long-term wellbeing. [3,12]
Arthritis in Dogs at a Glance
- A progressive joint disease that causes pain, stiffness and reduced mobility
- The most common form is osteoarthritis
- Risk increases with age, joint injury, developmental joint conditions and excess body weight
- Signs include both mobility changes and behavioural shifts
- Diagnosis requires veterinary assessment
- While not curable, arthritis can be managed through several techniques used in unison
What Is Arthritis in Dogs?
Arthritis in dogs is a long-term joint condition in which inflammation and cartilage breakdown lead to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. The most common type is osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, which involves progressive structural changes within the joint.
Arthritis develops when the cartilage cushioning the joint gradually wears away. Cartilage normally protects the ends of bones and allows smooth, low-friction movement, but it has a limited ability to repair itself, so damage can build up over time. As cartilage becomes thinner and less resilient, the joint is less able to absorb everyday forces such as walking or turning. This can lead to irritation inside the joint and ongoing joint change. [10]
In a healthy joint, lubricating fluid helps movement stay smooth and comfortable. With arthritis, lubrication may be less effective, surrounding tissues can become inflamed and the structure of the joint may gradually change. New bone growth, known as osteophytes, can form around the joint margins. Over time, these changes may reduce flexibility and make movement uncomfortable. [1]
This ongoing cycle of joint change helps explain why arthritis develops gradually over time.
Is Arthritis the Same as Other Joint Problems?
Arthritis refers to long-term joint inflammation and structural change, most commonly osteoarthritis. It is different from short-term injuries or some other joint disorders, although these can increase the risk of arthritis developing later. [10]
For example, a ligament injury, sprain or fracture can cause sudden pain and lameness. These are considered acute problems. If a joint does not return to normal structure or movement after injury, abnormal forces may continue to act on it, which can contribute to arthritis developing in the future. Developmental conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia are also not the same as arthritis, but they change how a joint forms and functions, making arthritis more likely over time.
Some joint diseases involve the immune system or infection and are managed differently. Arthritis, by contrast, is mainly a degenerative and inflammatory process linked to mechanical stress and long-term joint change. These differences help explain why arthritis usually requires ongoing management rather than short-term treatment.
Why Do Dogs Develop Arthritis?
Arthritis usually develops because of several contributing factors rather than one single cause, including ageing, joint injury, developmental joint problems, excess body weight and genetic predisposition.
Age – Cartilage becomes less resilient over time. As dogs get older, normal wear and tear can gradually affect joint tissues, increasing the likelihood of osteoarthritis. Dogs over eight years old are much more likely to be diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Once established, the condition can affect around 11% of a dog's total lifespan. [2]
Joint injuries – Previous injuries can change how forces are distributed through a joint. Even after healing, these changes can increase long-term wear. [1]
Developmental joint problems – Conditions such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia place extra stress on joints from an early age. This uneven loading contributes to cartilage breakdown over time. [1]
Excess body weight – Excess body weight is consistently associated with increased likelihood of osteoarthritis diagnosis. In UK data, dogs weighing over 40 kg were more than 11 times as likely to be diagnosed with osteoarthritis compared with very small dogs under 10 kg. [2] Encouragingly, weight loss can make a measurable difference. Dogs showed significant improvement in lameness after losing just 6.1% of their body weight, with further improvement seen at around 8.85%. By the end of structured programmes, 82% of dogs showed measurable improvement in mobility. [7]
Breed and genetics – Some larger breeds are more predisposed, but arthritis can affect dogs of any breed or size. [1]
Which Joints Are Commonly Affected by Arthritis?
Arthritis can affect almost any joint, but weight-bearing or frequently used joints are often affected, such as hips, knees (stifles), elbows and the spine. [1]
The hips and knees play a major role in standing, walking and climbing, so changes here often lead to noticeable mobility issues. Elbow arthritis may affect how your dog places weight on their front legs, while spinal arthritis can influence posture and willingness to jump.
As more than one joint can be affected at the same time, signs may not always point clearly to one location. You may simply notice your dog moving more slowly, appearing stiffer or being less willing to take part in usual activities.
What Are the Signs of Arthritis in Dogs?
The most common signs of arthritis in dogs include stiffness after rest, limping, slower movement, difficulty getting up and changes in behaviour.
Signs often develop gradually, and you may initially notice your dog adapting their movement or behaviour to stay comfortable.
Mobility Changes
- Stiffness, especially after resting
- Limping or uneven movement
- Slower walking pace
- Reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs
- Difficulty getting up or lying down
- Reduced range of motion
Behavioural Changes
Professor Daniel Mills BVSc PhD CBiol FRCVS, a specialist in veterinary behavioural medicine at the University of Lincoln, explains that chronic pain conditions such as arthritis commonly surface first as mood and behaviour changes rather than obvious physical signs. He notes that owners frequently report their dog as seeming 'grumpy', withdrawn or less willing to interact — changes that may be dismissed as personality or age but are often signals of ongoing discomfort. Recognising behaviour change as a potential pain indicator is one of the most important steps towards earlier arthritis identification. [20]
- Increased irritability
- Reduced tolerance for handling
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Less interest in interaction
- Licking or chewing at certain joints
The signs of arthritis often reveal themselves in moments that are easy to attribute to something else. A dog that hesitates at the car boot, walks more slowly on the morning lead, or seems grumpy when touched around the hips or elbows may be adapting to joint discomfort rather than simply having an off day. Similarly, a dog that no longer jumps onto the sofa, takes longer to settle at night, or lingers behind on walks they once led with enthusiasm may be showing early signs of a condition that is manageable when recognised. As these changes develop gradually and can come and go, they are frequently mistaken for normal ageing, but in many cases they reflect ongoing joint pain that a vet can help address.
Dr Hannah Capon BVetMed MRCVS, founder of Canine Arthritis Management and a leading voice in canine chronic pain education, notes that dogs are highly adaptable and will often modify their posture and movement to keep going with daily activities, which is precisely why their discomfort goes unnoticed. She emphasises that by the time most owners register a visible problem, joint changes have frequently been developing for some time. Spotting the earlier, subtler signals of reduced enthusiasm, changed resting positions or slight reluctance to engage creates the opportunity to act sooner.
These changes are often mistaken for normal ageing rather than signs of discomfort. [8] In young dog studies, owners recognised clinical signs in only around one third of affected cases. [7]
How Vets Diagnose Arthritis
There is no single test for arthritis in dogs; diagnosis is based on history, physical examination and sometimes X-rays. [10] Research has shown that structured owner questionnaires can correctly identify around 88% of dogs with osteoarthritis, helping vets detect the condition earlier, even when signs are subtle. [3] The degree of change seen on imaging does not always match the level of discomfort, so diagnoses are based on multiple findings. Follow-up assessments are often needed, as signs and response to management can change over time. [10]
Managing Arthritis in Dogs
Arthritis cannot be cured, but it can usually be managed effectively with a combination of pain relief, weight management, exercise and environmental support, known as a multimodal approach. [4,10]
Pain relief
Professor B. Duncan Lascelles BVSc PhD CertVA DSAS(ST) Dipl ECVS MRCVS, a veterinary pain specialist and co-author of international pain management guidelines, notes that early and sustained pain control is central to preserving mobility and quality of life in dogs with arthritis. He emphasises that because chronic joint pain can alter how the nervous system processes pain signals over time, bringing pain under control early (and maintaining that control) tends to produce better long-term outcomes than managing it only once discomfort becomes severe. [11,12]
Pain relief is a key part of arthritis management, as reducing discomfort can help improve mobility, activity levels and overall quality of life. Your vet may discuss different types of pain management depending on your dog's needs, health status and how much the arthritis has progressed. In UK primary-care data, 75% of dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis were advised to use pain relief medication. [2]
Monoclonal antibody treatments are a newer form of pain relief for dogs with arthritis, given as an injection at your vet's practice, typically at monthly intervals, that work by targeting specific molecules involved in pain signalling rather than acting on the body more broadly. These therapies are designed to target specific molecules involved in pain signalling, such as nerve growth factor (NGF). By reducing the effect of these pain pathways, they may help lower the sensation of joint pain associated with arthritis. Unlike some other medications, monoclonal antibodies are given by injection at your veterinary practice and are typically administered at regular intervals, often monthly. [11,12]
As with any treatment, suitability depends on the individual dog, and your vet will consider factors such as overall health, other medical conditions and response to previous therapies. Pain management is often most effective when combined with other approaches, including weight management, controlled exercise and environmental adjustments. [4]
Weight management
Excess body weight places additional strain on joints with every step, increasing both mechanical load and low-grade systemic inflammation. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most consistently supported management strategies across the research literature. [5] In one 16-week study, dogs with osteoarthritis showed measurable improvements in lameness scores after losing just 6.1% of their body weight, with objective gait improvements recorded at around 8.85% weight loss. By the end of structured weight loss programmes, 82% of dogs showed measurable improvement in mobility. [7] Even modest reductions can make a noticeable difference to how comfortably a dog moves day to day.
Exercise and rehabilitation
Short, regular, low-impact exercise is strongly preferred over infrequent intense activity, which can worsen joint discomfort and trigger flare-ups. Gentle movement helps maintain muscle strength around affected joints, which in turn provides better support and stability. [6] Physiotherapy can complement exercise by addressing specific movement deficits, improving range of motion, and reducing compensatory gait patterns that put strain on unaffected joints over time. Your vet can advise on the most appropriate type and duration of exercise for your dog's individual condition.
Home adjustments
Simple home modifications can meaningfully reduce the daily physical demands placed on arthritic joints. Orthopaedic or memory foam bedding reduces pressure on sore joints at rest and makes getting up and down easier. Non-slip matting on hard or smooth floors improves your dog's confidence and reduces the risk of slips that could cause additional joint strain. Ramps or steps to favourite resting spots (the sofa, the car boot, the bed) reduce the need for jumping, which places sudden high impact on already-sensitive joints. Even small changes, made consistently, can have a cumulative effect on your dog's day-to-day comfort.
Understanding Arthritis Progression
Arthritis usually worsens over time, although the rate of change varies between dogs. Flare-ups can occur with increased activity or environmental changes. With consistent management, however, many dogs can continue to enjoy a good quality of life. [10]
