As a dog owner, you’re in the best position to notice those subtle changes in your dog’s behavior that may signal the onset of osteoarthritis (OA). Recognizing these early signs is crucial because OA is a progressive and non-curable disease that acts differently in dogs than it does in humans. It’s an incredibly painful condition, but with early treatment, you can help manage your dog’s pain, improve their quality of life, and ensure they continue to enjoy their years filled with love and play.

For conditions like OA, chronic pain signals never go away, affecting your dog’s energy, comfort, and emotional well-being. Pets can’t tell us when they’re in pain, so they rely on you to notice changes in their behavior and get them the help they need. Dogs often hide their pain, which makes your vigilance even more important. Together with your veterinarian, you can develop a plan to keep your dog healthy, happy, and pain-free.

Unfortunately, if left untreated, OA will only worsen over time, creating more health challenges for your dog. Around 40% of dogs experience joint issues in their lifetime, with higher rates in certain breeds. Unfortunately, only around 20% may receive treatment for OA. Imagine how many dogs go undiagnosed, suffering in silence. And while OA is often seen as an issue in older dogs, it can affect pets of any age. Thankfully, early detection and management can make all the difference.

We’re here to give you all the tools you need to be an informed pet parent.

So, What’s Next?

• Quick Guide to Osteoarthritis in Dogs
• What is Osteoarthritis?
• How Does Osteoarthritis Progress?
• What Are the Signs of Osteoarthritis in Dogs?
• What Are My Next Steps?
• Where Can I Learn More?
• References

Quick Guide to Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Details aren’t for everyone (of course, if you want them, keep reading the entire blog!). If you want the most essential information, this section is for you. In this section, we’ll provide you with the essential information about osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs, focusing on what you need to know to recognize and address this condition without getting bogged down in the details.

What is OA?

OA is a chronic joint disease affecting the cartilage and synovial fluid within your dog’s joints. In a healthy joint, cartilage cushions movement, but with OA, this cartilage gradually wears down, synovial fluid becomes inflammed, leading to painful bone-on-bone contact, inflammation, and reduced joint function. OA can arise from various causes, including developmental abnormalities, injuries, or normal wear-and-tear. Early intervention is key, as significant damage may occur before you notice symptoms.

Prevalence of OA in Dogs

It’s estimated that around 40% of dogs experience joint problems during their lives, with certain breeds more susceptible. Unfortunately, only roughly 20-33% of dogs are treated for OA, despite radiographic evidence suggesting 40% show clear signs of the disease. OA can develop in younger dogs, particularly those with genetic predispositions. Commonly affected joints include the elbow, hip, knee (stifle), and shoulder. Smaller dogs may develop OA in the same joints as larger breeds, but their mobility issues might go unnoticed if they are often carried or lifted.

Signs of OA in Dogs

Watch for the following signs of OA in your dog:

• Activity Impairment: Reluctance to exercise, fatigue during walks, stiffness after rest, difficulty jumping, and lameness.
• Postural Changes: Shifts in weight, muscle wasting, and unusual resting positions.
• Pain on Manipulation: Sensitivity to touch, increased heart rate, and avoidance behaviors.
• Behavioral Changes: Increased irritability, decreased enthusiasm in greetings, and withdrawal from interactions.

If you notice any of these signs, consider taking a simple online assessment or consulting your veterinarian to discuss the best course of action for your dog’s health. Early detection and treatment of OA can lead to significantly improved comfort and quality of life.

Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Several factors can contribute to the development of OA:

1. Genetics: Certain breeds are more predisposed to joint issues, which can lead to OA.
2. Breed: Specific breeds are prone to developmental orthopedic diseases, leading to early-onset OA.
3. Nutrition: Excessive caloric intake or improper diet can contribute to joint problems.
4. Body Weight: Approximately 40-50% of dogs with OA are overweight, which exacerbates stress on joints.
5. Conformation: Some body structures can predispose dogs to joint issues.
6. Acute Injury or Orthopedic Diseases: Injuries and conditions can lead to OA over time.
7. Age: OA becomes more prevalent as dogs age, particularly in seniors.

Impacts of OA on Dogs

OA significantly affects a dog’s quality of life. Pain can limit movement, increase anxiety, and reduce overall happiness. OA can strain the human-animal bond, as pets may become less interactive due to chronic pain.

Barriers to Diagnosis

Despite affecting many dogs, only about 20-33% of those with OA receive treatment. Common barriers to diagnosis include misinterpreting OA signs as normal aging, overlooking symptoms in younger dogs, and lack of awareness about the link between weight and OA. Pet owners must remain vigilant and consult their veterinarians if they notice changes in their dog’s behavior.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our other blog about Diagnosis and Treatment of OA for Dogs here.

Want to learn all the details and most recent research? Keep reading!

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and progressive joint disease that primarily affects the cartilage and bones within your dog’s joints. In a healthy joint, cartilage serves as a cushion, allowing smooth, frictionless movement. However, with OA, this cartilage gradually wears down, leading to painful bone-on-bone contact, inflammation, and a significant reduction in joint function. Over time, the joint capsule thickens, bone spurs form around the joint (a process called osteophytosis), and your dog’s range of motion decreases.

OA can arise from several causes in dogs, ranging from developmental abnormalities (like hip or elbow dysplasia) to injuries or wear-and-tear over time. Unfortunately, by the time your dog shows obvious signs of discomfort, significant joint damage may have already occurred. Early intervention and treatment are crucial, as this degenerative disease progresses and leads to chronic pain that never fully subsides without appropriate care.

Although OA is not curable, you can manage the disease by controlling your dog’s pain and improving mobility through targeted treatments. The earlier OA is diagnosed, the better the outcomes, as it allows you to slow the disease’s progression, keeping your dog active, happy, and able to enjoy life to the fullest.

Prevalence of OA in Dogs

It’s estimated that around 40% of dogs will experience joint problems at some point in their lives, with the prevalence even higher among certain breeds. The exact prevalence is difficult to estimate, due to the fact that roughly 2.5-20% of dogs receive clinical treatment for OA compared to the roughly 40% which show radiographic evidence of the disease. While many people think OA only affects older dogs, it can develop in young dogs, especially those with genetic predispositions to joint issues like hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament injuries.

In dogs, the most commonly affected joints include the elbow, hip, knee (stifle), and shoulder. For small dogs, OA can develop in the same joints as large breeds, but owners may not notice it as quickly since they often carry or lift their pets, masking mobility problems.

The Cause of OA in Dogs

In a healthy joint, cartilage and joint fluid work together to cushion and lubricate the bones, ensuring smooth movement. However, in dogs with OA, the joint fluid decreases, and cartilage starts to break down. This loss of cushion leads to the bones grinding against each other, causing inflammation, pain, and further joint damage. As the disease progresses, more bone changes occur, which worsen the joint’s ability to move freely.

While some dogs develop OA from birth due to genetic factors, others experience it after an injury or through everyday wear and tear. No matter the cause, the result is the same: a gradual but persistent deterioration of your dog’s joint health that can only be managed, not cured.

Risk Factors for OA in Dogs

Osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs is influenced by multiple factors. While there may be a single cause in some cases, more often than not, several contributing elements lead to its development, and sometimes, no clear underlying cause is found.

1. Genetics: Certain genetic factors predispose dogs to joint issues, which can lead to OA later in life. These genetic influences are most apparent in specific breeds that are more prone to developmental orthopedic diseases (DODs).
2. Breed: Many dogs develop OA as a result of developmental orthopedic diseases (DODs). These conditions often affect certain breeds more than others, with malformed joints leading to early-onset OA. For example, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) lists breeds that are particularly prone to conditions like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.

• Hip Dysplasia: Breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, St. Bernards, Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, Pit Bulls, Old English Sheepdogs, and German Shepherds.
• Patellar Luxation: Common in Boston Terriers, Chihuahuas, Miniature and Toy Poodles, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers.
• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the Shoulder: Seen in breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs, English Setters, German Shorthaired Pointers, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, Old English Sheepdogs, and Rottweilers.
• Elbow Dysplasia: Frequently diagnosed in Alaskan Malamutes, Australian Shepherds, Bichon Frises, Border Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Chow Chows, Dobermans, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.

3. Nutrition: Proper nutrition is key to your dog’s overall health and can affect the development of joint problems. For puppies, excess caloric intake, too much protein, and over-supplementation with calcium can result in rapid growth, which may overwhelm developing skeletal structures and contribute to joint issues. Maintaining a balanced diet throughout your dog’s life is crucial to mitigating the risk of joint diseases that may lead to OA.
4. Body Weight: An estimated 40-50% of dogs with OA are overweight. Obesity places additional stress on joints, exacerbating the wear and tear that leads to OA. Fat cells also produce inflammatory substances, which worsen the progression of OA. It’s important to recognize that many pet owners may not accurately assess their dog’s weight, with studies showing that 22% of dog owners consider their overweight pets to be of normal size, a phenomenon known as the “fat pet gap.”
5. Conformation: Some dogs have body structures (conformation) that predispose them to joint problems. For example, dogs with short legs and long backs may be more prone to conditions like intervertebral disc disease, while those with large, heavy frames may have increased stress on their joints.
6. Acute Injury or Orthopedic Diseases: Acute injuries, such as cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, can lead to the onset of OA. Even when treated early, these injuries can cause inflammation and instability in the joint, making OA more likely later in life. Orthopedic diseases like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patella luxation can also lead to repetitive injury to joint cartilage, eventually resulting in OA.
7. Age: OA becomes more prevalent with age. Approximately 20% of dogs develop OA, particularly as they reach their senior years. While age itself is not a disease, the longer a dog lives, the more wear and tear their joints endure, increasing the likelihood of OA development.

Impacts of OA on Dogs

OA significantly affects a dog’s quality of life (QOL). Pain from OA can limit a dog’s ability to walk, run, or perform basic activities of daily living. It also affects a dog’s emotional well-being, often increasing anxiety, fear, and decreasing mood and happiness. These changes can strain the human-animal bond as your pet may become less interactive and more withdrawn due to chronic pain. Additionally, OA pain can lead to difficulty sleeping and increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli.

Numbers Treated & Barriers to Diagnosis

As many as 40% of dogs may suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), but only about 20-33% of dogs with OA are actively being treated. This discrepancy is largely due to missed or delayed diagnoses, often because the signs of OA are misunderstood as normal aging or are simply overlooked, particularly in younger dogs.

Common Barriers:

1. Misinterpreting OA as Aging: Pet owners frequently mistake signs of OA pain for normal signs of aging. Slowness in rising, hesitation to climb stairs, or reluctance to jump in and out of cars may be seen as an inevitable part of getting older, rather than symptoms of a painful condition.
2. Overlooking Pain in Younger Dogs: OA isn’t just a condition for senior pets. Younger dogs can also develop OA, especially those with orthopedic diseases like hip dysplasia or those who suffer acute injuries. However, pet owners are less likely to associate OA with younger dogs, often leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
3. Lack of Awareness About Weight and OA: Many dog owners are unaware of the connection between obesity and arthritis. Excess weight puts extra pressure on joints and contributes to the progression of OA. Zoetis market research revealed that around 2 in 3 dog owners don’t know that weight gain or obesity can be linked to arthritis, and nearly 30% don’t realize aging is associated with the condition either.

For improved outcomes, it’s essential that pet owners stay vigilant and bring any changes in their dog’s behavior to their veterinarian’s attention. Mobility changes are often subtle in the early stages of OA, but catching them early can lead to more effective pain management and treatment. Dogs specifically brought in to the vet for mobility concerns, rather than routine wellness visits, are more likely to be diagnosed with OA.

How Does Osteoarthritis Progress?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative and progressive disease that affects your dog’s synovial joints. These joints, responsible for most of your dog’s movements, slowly deteriorate over time, leading to pain and disability. OA is characterized by the death of cartilage cells (chondrocytes), loss of the protective cartilage, remodeling of the surrounding bone, and increasing pain.

The OA Cascade of Events:

OA progresses through a series of events that worsen over time:

• Cartilage damage and loss – The smooth cartilage inside your dog’s joints wears away, reducing the cushioning effect, leading to friction and discomfort.
• Release of inflammatory mediators and degenerative enzymes – As cartilage is damaged, the body releases chemicals that try to repair the damage, but these can actually speed up joint degeneration.
• Synovial membrane inflammation – The membrane that produces joint fluid becomes inflamed, leading to swelling and pain.
• Subchondral bone remodeling – The bone beneath the cartilage thickens and changes shape, causing additional pain.
• Osteophyte production – New bone growths (osteophytes) form, further impairing joint movement.
• Disability – Over time, your dog may experience difficulty moving, causing them to struggle with activities like getting up, walking, or playing.

These events lead to a narrowing of joint space, thickening of the joint capsule, loss of normal range of motion, and pain. The challenge with detecting OA early is that the biochemical changes within the cartilage often occur long before we see any visible symptoms or even signs on X-rays.

Stages of OA

As the disease progresses, the cascade of events leads to increasing symptoms. It’s important to recognize the signs at each stage to manage OA effectively and slow down its progression. While many changes are happening within the joint, your dog’s symptoms may shift over time from barely noticeable to very obvious. Understanding the stages of OA can help you spot early signs, seek treatment, and improve your dog’s comfort and mobility.

Let’s take a closer look at the progression:

1. Stage 1: Asymptomatic
   Dogs may not show any signs yet, but there are risk factors like breed, intense activity, excess body weight, or joint injuries.

• • Example: A young, overweight Golden Retriever.
  • Treatment Goal: Owner education on lifestyle changes
  • Treatment Approach: Weight management, healthy exercise, and joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, can help prevent worsening.

2. Stage 2: Mild
   You might notice occasional stiffness or subtle changes in gait, especially after exercise or rest. Dogs in this stage may appear to “warm out” of stiffness. Key features here include minimal clinical signs, radiographic changes, and functional disability.

• • Example: A 5-year-old Labrador mix with intermittent lameness; dog <1 year old with mild hip dysplasia.
  • Treatment Goal: Slow OA progression. Maintain as much normal function as possible. Chondroprotection.
  • Treatment Approaches: Weight control. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for managing inflammation. These may be used as needed or daily for a few months before tapering. May also include polysulfated glycosamingoglycans, nutritional supplements, regenerative/noninvasive therapies, & regular exercise.

3. Stage 3: Moderate
   Obvious changes in movement, persistent lameness, and difficulty getting up or lying down.

• • Example: An 8-year-old large-breed dog with hip dysplasia.
  • Treatment Goal: Slow OA progression. Maintain as much normal function as possible. Chondroprotection. Pain management as needed.
  • Treatment Approaches: Long-term management may include anti-NGF monoclonal antibodies (Librela), polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, or medications like gabapentin and NSAIDs. Non-invasive options like laser therapy and acupuncture may also help. Manual therapies, such as stretching and range of motion of joints in affected limbs; strengthening and point proprioception exercises. Low-impact, mild to moderate exercise.

4. Stage 4: Severe
   Severe difficulty moving, reluctance to exercise, and significant trouble performing daily activities like walking or climbing stairs.

• • Example: A 12-year-old dog with severe hip and stifle OA.
  • Treatment Goal: Maintain best possible function & manage pain.
  • Treatment Approaches: Advanced pain management with options like monoclonal antibodies, joint injections, and possibly surgical interventions for severe cases. May also include pain medications like gabapentin.

Aftercare & Outcome

OA in dogs is a progressive condition that cannot be cured, but it can be managed to improve your dog’s quality of life. Early diagnosis and a multimodal treatment approach – including medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes – can significantly slow down the disease and keep your dog comfortable for years. In some cases, surgical options like joint replacement can offer a new lease on life.

What Are The Signs of Osteoarthritis in Dogs?

Many of us believe our dogs can understand us, but unfortunately, we can’t ask them how they’re feeling. It’s up to us to spot changes in their behavior, which can sometimes be quite subtle. For instance, your dog may still want to go for a walk despite having advanced joint problems and pain. To help you determine whether your dog might benefit from a vet visit for diagnosis and treatment, we offer a simple online assessment. By answering a few questions about your dog, you’ll receive a report to help you have an informed discussion with your veterinarian.

Osteoarthritis (OA) can cause both physical and behavioral changes in your dog. Here’s what to look out for:

 

Pain is often overlooked in dogs for two main reasons: OA pain is mistaken for normal aging, and many owners don’t consider it in younger dogs. It’s easy to relate dog behavior to how we might behave. You might find yourself thinking:

• “They’re just having growing pains.”
• “They must have tripped.”
• “They probably pulled a muscle.”
• “It’s nothing. It’ll get better.”
• “They aren’t whimpering, they must be fine.”

However, in younger dogs, those fleeting moments of discomfort could be the early signs of OA that go unnoticed until they become severe in middle age or later. In fact, OA is the most common cause of lameness in dogs, affecting over 1 in 5, especially heavier breeds. When dogs experience chronic pain, they might not vocalize it, making it easy to miss the signs. Pay attention to changes in their movement, behavior, and overall demeanor. Remember, even a slight limp in a young dog deserves your attention and a vet’s evaluation, especially in breeds prone to joint problems.

Understanding Your Dog’s Facial Expressions: Identifying Pain

Recognizing your dog’s facial expressions is another way to identify stress and pain. Dogs in pain are likely to pin back their ears, furrow their eyebrows, grimace or squint their eyes, appear to have a vacant or glazed stare, have wide-pupils, or leave their mouths partially open or pant excessively. This research article shows both the neurbiology behind this pain response and shares multiple pictures to help you learn what to watch. The blog Eileen and Dogs has multiple pages discussing dog facial expressions, with lots of pictures to help you identify warning signs. Below are a few examples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examples of Other Pain-Postures in Dogs