Pet First Aid UK
Monitor — routine vet appointment

Managing arthritis in dogs

Stiffness after rest, slow on walks, reluctant to jump — book a vet appointment; arthritis is treatable and quality of life can be restored substantially.

Dog

In the next 60 seconds

  1. Note signs and a phone video.
  2. Book a vet appointment for examination, possibly X-rays.
  3. Reduce high-impact activity in the meantime — short flat walks rather than long hikes.

Recognise the signs

  • Slow rising after rest, easing with movement
  • Stiffness on cold or damp days
  • Reluctance to jump on furniture or in/out of car
  • Limp that comes and goes
  • Reduced enthusiasm on walks
  • Behavioural change — irritability, withdrawal
  • Muscle wastage in affected legs

First aid steps

  1. Note signs and a phone video.
  2. Book a vet appointment for examination, possibly X-rays.
  3. Reduce high-impact activity in the meantime — short flat walks rather than long hikes.

Do NOT

  • Do not give human painkillers — paracetamol and ibuprofen are dangerous.
  • Do not assume slowing down is just ageing — many old dogs are in treatable pain.
  • Do not push through 'good days' with long walks — pay-back lameness follows.

When to phone the vet immediately

  • Sudden severe lameness — possible cruciate rupture or fracture
  • Inability to bear weight
  • Sudden severe pain
  • Loss of leg function

Common causes

  • Age-related joint wear
  • Hip, elbow, or knee dysplasia
  • Cruciate ligament disease history
  • Past injury or surgery
  • Obesity accelerating wear

What the vet will need to know

  • When signs started and how they have progressed
  • Better or worse with rest, weather, time of day
  • Current weight and diet
  • Phone video walking and rising

Aftercare

  • Multi-modal management: weight loss, joint supplements, prescription anti-inflammatories, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy.
  • Environment: ramps, non-slip flooring, soft beds.
  • Regular exercise — short and frequent rather than weekend hikes.
  • Reassessment every 6 months.

Prevention

  • Lean weight from puppyhood.
  • Avoid repetitive high-impact in growing dogs.
  • Address joint dysplasia diagnoses early.
  • Joint supplements where vet-recommended.

Breed-specific notes

  • High risk: Labrador, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler.

Frequently asked questions

Is arthritis curable?

Not curable, but very manageable. Most dogs do dramatically better with proper treatment than owners expect.

Are joint supplements worth it?

Evidence varies. Vet-recommended products with proven ingredients (omega-3, green-lipped mussel) help some dogs as part of a wider plan.

Should my arthritic dog still walk?

Yes — gentle regular exercise is essential. Short, frequent, low-impact walks are better than long sporadic ones.

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