^{Written by Hannah Clark and approved by our vets}

^{Last Updated: 6 May 2026}

Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Many dogs will develop some kind of condition in their lifetime, typically as they get older, but some can affect dogs of any age. According to a study, 1 in 5 dogs will develop arthritis in their lifetime, and canine arthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs.

Just because your dog is diagnosed with arthritis doesn’t mean they can’t still live a fulfilled and happy life. In this article, we will explain some of the key signs of arthritis in dogs, as well as what arthritis treatments for dogs are available and what you can do to make things easier on your dog.

What is Osteoarthritis in Dogs?

Arthritis (also called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD)) is a very common condition in older dogs, but can easily be missed and put down to ‘normal’ stiffness and slowing down as they grow older.

However, arthritis can occur in any animal of any age, and it's thought an estimated 20% of dogs in the UK could be affected to some degree, with certain breeeds being more prone to devloping the condition.

In cases of arthritis, the protective layer of cartilage lining the joint that usually helps to allow smooth movement, is damaged and worn away, and the joint fluid becomes less effective in providing joint lubrication. The bone then becomes exposed, causing pain and inflammation.

The body attempts to stabilise the joint by producing new bone but this can further add to the pain and discomfort.

The most commonly affected joints tend to be:

• Elbows
• Hips
• Stifles (knee)

Arthritis is a progressive disease and cannot be ‘cured’, and will get worse over time. That said, there are ways that you can manage your dog's arthritis, with treatments intended to reduce your dog's symptoms and improve comfort and mobility.

Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic and progressive pain in older dogs, and the earlier treatment is instituted the better!

What Causes Arthritis in Dogs?

Contrary to popular belief, getting old does not cause arthritis in dogs. Rather, arthritis may be seen as a side-effect of getting old. there are a large number of things that might add to your dog's chances of developing the disease throughout their lifetime.

This can make it hard to pinpoint a singular cause, however some of the most common causes include:

• Age-related wear and tear
• An underlying condition or abnormal joint development (such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia)
• A previous injury to the joint (such as dislocation)
• A previous infection in the joint
• Your dog's physical size and breed (not a direct cause, but certain breeds are more prone than others)
• Your dog's weight (overweight dogs are more likely to develop arthritis due to the strain the extra weight adds to their joint

Anyone of these things may affect your dog’s likelihood to develop arthritis.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

Like other animals, dogs don’t like to show signs of pain, so spotting the early sins of arthritis in dogs can be tricky.

That said, there are some clinical signs of canine arthritis to watch for, such as:

• Stiff joint movements
• Lameness (in one or more limbs)
• Reluctance to walk or exercise
• Reluctance to do everyday movements (such as getting up, climbing stairs, jumping on sofas, or hopping in the car)
• Licking or chewing affected joints
• Pain or inflammation around joints
• Sensitive spots (such as on their hips, shoulders, or legs)
• Changes in behaviour (such as eating habits, playing less, sleeping more, etc.)

If you notice any of these changes in your dog you should have them examined by your veterinary surgeon.

Dog Breeds Prone to Arthritis

As mentioned, body composition plays a big factor in whether a dog will likely develop arthritis in their lifetime.

This means that, due to breeding, some dogs are more prone to developing joint issues than others because of how they’re built, including:

• Golden Retrievers—Due to their popularity and demand as family dogs, Golden Retrievers may be prone to several conditions, including arthritis, due to unethical breeding practices and a weakened gene pool.
• Labradors—Labradors are a dog breed predisposed to obesity due to their seemingly bottomless appetite and habit of eating anything (and we mean, anything!). This extra weight adds more strain to their joints, which can cause problems such as arthritis in later life.
• German Shepherds—Since they were bred specifically to have sloped hindquarters, German Shepherd dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, which can often lead to arthritis.
• Rottweilers—These dogs were bred to be bulky and have dense muscles that may be too much for their frames, putting added strain on their joints.
• Great Danes— Many large dogs are prone to arthritis due to the weight and strain placed on their joints due to their size, and as one of the largest dog breeds, Great Danes are particularly susceptible.

However, just because your dog is more predisposed to developing arthritis doesn’t mean they definitely will. Same goes for if your dog is not one of the mentioned breeds

By being selective and fully informed when choosing a dog breeder, along with proper monitoring, maintenance, and care throughout their lifetime, you can help lessen the odds of your dog developing arthritis, or delay it for as long as possible.

How to Treat Arthritis in Dogs

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis in dogs, nor is there a “fix-all” treatment.

Instead, treatment is focused on managing your dog's symptoms, which may include:

• Prescription medications
• Changes in lifestyle and diet
• Surgery (at your vet's discretion)
• Physical therapies or rehabilitations

Below, we look into managing your dog's arthritis more closely.

How to Help a Dog With Arthritis at Home

In addition to the treatment plan developed by your vet, there are steps you can take at home to make your dogs day-to-day life a bit easier, such as:

• Switch to a softer, more padded or orthopaedic dog bed
• Raise up water and food bowls
• Have non-slip flooring or use rugs to reduce odds of your dog falling
• Install ramps (such as to the sofa, to the back of the care, or to climb steps)
• adding rugs can reduce the chance of your dog falling.
• Following your vet’s advice on treatments and any nutritional changes.

How to Prevent Arthritis in Dogs

There's too many variables involved in dogs developing arthritis, so prevention can be challenge.

However, if your have a younger dog or breed prone to arthritis, there are some things you can do to lessen their chances of developing (or delaying the development of) the disease, such as:

• Maintaining your dog’s optimum body composition (your vet can advise this)
• Regular exercise
• Feeding a complete and balanced diet that meets the nutritional needs of your dog
• Introducing dog joint supplements

You can find out more about how you can care for your dog’s joints in our Guide to Dog Joint Care on our blog.

It’s always hard to see your pet in pain, so we understand the need to keep your dog as fit and healthy as can be. If you're looking to support your dog's joints, check our our complete range of dog joint care products, including supplements, first-aid, joint-specific diets and more.

Is your dog struggling with arthritis or another long-term health condition? Checkout our new PetSaver plans and turn your pet's everyday essentials to everyday savings today.

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.

This post was written by a human.