Dog Arthritis Symptoms

Reviewed by Dr. Kathy Adamson

October 21, 2019

Updated January 20, 2026

Doesn’t it always seem like our dogs have some superhuman ability to be in the best mood all the time? Either they’re truly loving creatures, or they collectively went to a happiness seminar and are now masters of positive thinking. All joking aside, dogs are equal parts of our families because of the joy they bring. And it’s only in times of trouble—like when they’re sick or injured—that we realize their capacity for other emotions besides excitement and joy.

Unfortunately, with the highs come the lows. And witnessing your dog suffer from chronic arthritis and joint pain is definitely the lowest of lows. It’s hard not to flinch when we see dogs struggle to their feet with a bad hip or limp toward us for some petting despite the pain in their knees. Of all the ailments, arthritis in dogs is truly a heartbreaker.

To understand what your dog is going through, and to catch the signs and symptoms early, here’s everything you need to know about dog arthritis.

First Things First: What is Arthritis?

The basic definition of arthritis, also referred to as osteoarthritis (OA), is inflammation and degeneration of the joints—a painful condition that can affect both humans and dogs alike. Joint inflammation generally has one or more causes. But to understand these potential causes, we must first understand the makeup and inner workings of your dog’s joints.

The bones inside a dog’s joints are layered with cartilage (the material between bones that keeps them from rubbing together) and lubricated by joint fluid. This helps to dampen the impact of walking, running, and jumping, and allows the bones to freely glide back and forth against each other without causing friction.

So, when there’s an issue with the joint fluid, cartilage, or bones, friction can’t be prevented as effectively, which means that pain and inflammation can more easily occur. Take a look at how exactly these factors can lead to joint inflammation in your dog:

Loss of lubricating fluid – A loss of lubricating fluid will increase friction and slowly wear away at the cartilage. Once the cartilage is gone, the bones will be in direct contact with each other, which will cause extreme discomfort and inflammation.
Abnormal cartilage development – Because cartilage is what absorbs the impact between bones, having any abnormalities of cartilage development or a loss of cartilage will cause your dog to lose that cushioning effect. This means they’ll experience painful bone-on-bone friction during physical activity.
Bone damage – A broken bone will change the shape and function of the joint, increasing joint friction, wearing down the cartilage and causing discomfort.

Causes of Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis may be primary or secondary. Primary arthritis develops with age while secondary arthritis occurs at any age due to a known cause such as joint trauma, ligament injury, and growth problems in the hip or elbow.¹ The joint damage progresses the same way, regardless of whether it’s primary or secondary arthritis. For a better understanding of your dog’s arthritis, let’s take a look at common causes of arthritis in dogs.

Trauma – Trauma to the joint can damage joint structures or introduce an infection.
Autoimmune disease – Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly sees healthy cells as invaders and attacks them, damaging whatever organ, muscle, or bone they were a part of. If the autoimmune disease targets the healthy joint cells, it causes painful arthritis.
Genetic predisposition – Some dogs have an increased risk for certain diseases of the hip, knee, or elbow.
Joint infection – An infection at the joint can cause significant damage and lead to arthritis. Joint infections can be caused by injury or systemic infection.
Abnormal Growth and Development – Abnormal hip, knee, and elbow development happens mainly because of genetic predisposition but environmental factors such as diet and hormones may play a role.^2,3
Old age – While our furry friends remain fluffy and lovable even in their old age, reduced joint lubrication production is a common symptom of aging and can degrade your dog’s cartilage.

Dog Arthritis Symptoms

Like any chronic illness, determining the specific cause of your dog’s arthritis can require a bit of detective work on your vet’s part. They’ll likely take the following factors into account:

History of trauma or surgery
Genetics
Diet
Exercise habits
Nutrition in puppyhood

Fortunately, spotting the signs of arthritis in your dog is much easier than figuring out the cause of that arthritis. The sooner you can recognize these signs, the sooner you can take your pup to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.

Here are common symptoms of dog arthritis:

Abnormal movement – You may notice your dog limping, struggling to stand up or sit down, moving more slowly than normal, acting in a painful manner while moving, and avoiding activities such as climbing stairs and jumping into the car.
Avoiding playtime – Refusing to wrestle, fetch, or play.
Change in Eating Habits – Pain may cause a dog to lose their appetite.
Urinating or defecating in the house – Painful joints may cause a dog to have bathroom accidents inside, as going outside can be difficult, especially if there are stairs or the ground is slippery on the way to the yard.
Whining or whimpering – Whining or whimpering with no other apparent causes may be due to pain.

If you notice any of these signs in your furry friend, it’s important to take them to the vet right away for examination and diagnosis. If left unaddressed, these changes in behavior can lead to further health issues, such as:

Weight loss from refusal to eat
Weight gain from reduced physical activity
Muscle degeneration around the joint or lameness from reduced physical activity
Depression

Diagnosing Dog Arthritis

If you suspect that your dog has joint issues, your veterinarian will perform a full examination. This includes testing your dog’s joint mobility and taking x-rays to see joint swelling or changes to the bone.

Your vet can determine the underlying cause of your dog’s arthritis by:

Analyzing fluid from the affected joint
Collecting blood for laboratory tests
Performing a CT scan or MRI

Each cause of arthritis carries its own prognosis. By determining the exact cause of your dog’s arthritis, you and your vet will be able to make an informed decision about the best way to treat arthritis.

Types of Arthritis in Dogs

Although the way arthritis occurs is generally the same—deterioration of the joint—the different types of arthritis in dogs come with their own unique set of complications, treatments, and prognoses.

Hip dysplasia – Arthritis commonly develops in the hips.It results from genetic and environmental factors.²
Elbow dysplasia – This inherited, developmental disorder occurs on the front legs of juvenile large and giant breed dogs.³
Knee dysplasia – Also known as patellar luxation (the “patella” being another name for kneecap), occurs when the kneecap pops out of its groove in the lower leg bone.⁴ Small breed dogs may be genetically predisposed to this but trauma and other anatomic abnormalities can lead to this in other dog breeds.⁴
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) – A developmental disorder of juvenile dogs in which an area of bone within the joint develops abnormally, creating a thickened area vulnerable to damage.⁵ While genetics are part of the problem, improper nutrition, trauma, and hormones may also play a role.⁵

Other conditions that can develop along with dog arthritis:

Hot spots, while not a direct symptom of arthritis, may develop as dogs lick the skin near the affected joint in an attempt to alleviate pain. A hot spot in a dog is an inflamed, red skin lesion that has multiple causes. Joint pain is one potential hot spot cause.

Arthritis Treatment for Dogs

Although arthritis can’t be cured, treatments are available to help manage your dog’s arthritis and alleviate their pain. Determining the best type of treatment for your dog should be a conversation between you and your vet. However, it can be helpful to know ahead of time what those treatment options are.

Holistic Care

Holistic care will do little against something like an autoimmune disease, as it won’t stop the immune system from attacking the body. However, taking a holistic approach to your dog’s arthritis management will ensure all aspects of your dog's health and wellness are addressed.

Holistic care includes weight management and light exercise. Excess weight stresses joints, so maintaining a healthy weight is a cornerstone of arthritis management.⁶ Gentle exercises, such as walking, swimming, and underwater treadmill walking, strengthen the muscles around the joint and improve circulation. This prevents stiffness, lameness, and muscle degeneration that would otherwise occur in inactive dogs suffering from arthritis.

Install no-slip rugs, ramps for beds, cars, and stairs to ensure your arthritic dog won’t stumble or stress its joints while moving around the house.

Your veterinarian can discuss other options including physical therapy, acupuncture, and laser therapy.

Medical Intervention

Medications are available to treat canine arthritis. These medications include:

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – This reduces pain and swelling. Your veterinarian will discuss possible NSAID side effects to watch for.
Steroids – Steroids reduce joint inflammation and pain. Your veterinarian will discuss possible steroid side effects and what to watch for.
Chondroprotectants – These may help protect against further cartilage damage by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for cartilage deterioration. Chondroprotectants may also promote the repair of joint structures, making them a popular and effective option for dogs who suffer from autoimmune, genetic, or age-related arthritis.

These medications may be combined with joint supplements that provide joint support, resulting in less pain and more play for your sweet pup.

Surgical Intervention

Surgery is available for dogs whose arthritis symptoms can no longer be managed with medication or whose underlying condition is severe. The type of surgery will depend on the cause of your dog’s arthritis.

While surgery helps slow the progression of arthritis in some cases, it won’t stop it altogether and you will still have to follow a treatment plan that combines holistic care and medication to continue to manage your dog’s arthritis and prevent further pain down the road.

How to Prevent Arthritis in Dogs

Similar to humans, dogs benefit from a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, rest, mental stimulation, and regular veterinary visits.

Nutrition – Veterinarian-approved food helps ensure proper growth and development for puppies and dogs of all ages.
Dietary supplements – Dietary supplements blend essential vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics, helping bridge any gaps in your dog’s nutritional needs.
Daily exercise – Exercise has long-term benefits for joint health and also regulates mood and digestion, helps prevent diabetes and heart disease, and keeps your dog’s mental health in balance. Joint-friendly exercise like underwater treadmill walking, walks on a smooth surface, or swimming can keep your dog sharp and comfortable.
Regular vet checkups – Knowing whether your dog breed is prone to arthritis can allow you to take preventative measures with the help of your vet. Talk to them about your dog’s developmental health as they age, and make sure to prioritize checkups to maintain your dog’s overall wellness.

a brown and white dog running through a field of tall grass

Prevent and Treat Dog Arthritis with Vetericyn

We love our dogs because their happiness and excitement bring us so much joy. By keeping your pup healthy and active, you not only ensure their happiness, but also help set them up for a long, pain-free life. However, arthritis may still develop, even despite preventative measures, due to injury, genetics, age, or otherwise. In these cases, recognizing the signs of arthritis can ensure your friend receives treatment and gets back to happiness as soon as possible.

Arthritis doesn’t have to keep your dog from living their best life, so be sure to talk to your vet about prevention and treatment options, and make Vetericyn part of your pup’s wellness routine. Animal wellness is what we’re all about at Vetericyn. Our team of animal lovers is here to help you give your cuddle bud a happy and healthy life. Whether you’re preventing arthritis or keeping your pet groomed, it’s your responsibility to protect and care for your pets, and Vetericyn is here to help every step of the way.

Reviewed by Dr. Kathy Adamson

Dr. Kathy Adamson earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.

She completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery internship at the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. Alongside her studies, Kathy worked in a research lab, contributing as an author and co-author to various journal articles.

She has also pursued medical writing and editing certification through the University of Chicago Graham School. Currently, she runs KMA Veterinary & Medical Writing, a freelance medical writing company, serves as the Digital Content Manager for the Greater Chicago Area Chapter of the American Medical Writers Association, is a member of the AMWA Communications Committee, and enjoys writing about healthcare topics for people and their cherished pets.

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