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The clinical signs of joint pain in dogs can sneak up quietly. It’s common for people to see that their dog is walking more slowly, lagging behind on walks or seeming less interested in play and think they are slowing down due to age. But old age itself isn’t a disease.
If this situation sounds familiar, your pup may be dealing with joint pain. Joint pain in dogs starts with awareness because mobility is crucial to a happy, healthy life. Here's what you need to know about recognizing, preventing and treating joint pain in dogs.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive disease affecting at least one joint and resulting in decreased mobility and pain.1 Osteoarthritis begins when the supportive tissue (cartilage) in the affected dog’s joints starts to wear down, leaving bones to rub against one another with no protective cushion between them. This makes it harder for the dog to move and causes chronic, progressive pain.
OA is just one type of arthritis in dogs. Arthritis broadly refers to inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints, but it can have several causes, disease processes and characteristics, depending upon the type of arthritis. Although OA is the most common type of arthritis in dogs, they can experience other types, including rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, traumatic arthritis and cancer-related arthritis.2
Dogs can be good at hiding their pain, even when it's chronic. Spotting it may be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. Osteoarthritis develops slowly, which leads to changes that add up over time. Signs can include:
Many of these symptoms overlap with other medical conditions, so an accurate veterinary diagnosis is essential.
If your dog yelps in pain, cannot get up, suddenly refuses to bear weight on a leg or has sudden joint or leg swelling that is more severe than normal, contact your veterinarian right away.
Most joint issues in dogs fall into two categories: developmental joint conditions and degenerative joint conditions. Understanding the difference can be the first step in providing proper care and giving your vet the information they need to address the pain.
Developmental joint conditions are caused by abnormal joint conformation (anatomy) or growth-related problems. These conditions are usually noted when a dog is very young. If not treated, they may progress to osteoarthritis. Common developmental joint disorders include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation and osteochondrosis. These conditions alter the way the joint moves, which causes abnormal wear and tear on the cartilage and swelling inside the joint.
Degenerative joint conditions occur when something causes damage or increased wear and tear on otherwise normal joints. This condition tends to affect older dogs, but dogs of any age can be affected. Injuries, excessive exercise and advanced age can all cause damage to cartilage, which can develop into osteoarthritis over time. Cruciate ligament disease, meniscal injury, obesity and previous trauma due to broken bones or joint avulsions are common causes of degenerative joint disease.
You cannot change genetics or time, but you can be proactive about your dog’s joint health with these strategies:
Weight management: One of the most effective things you can do to lower your dog’s risk of OA is to help them keep a lean body condition. Obesity not only puts extra wear and tear on joints, but it is also an inflammatory condition. Maintaining a healthy weight can help support joint function, reduce joint pain in some dogs and improve mobility, overall health and well-being.3 Work with your vet to determine a healthy weight for your dog and calculate daily calories. If your dog is overweight, they can recommend an effective weight loss pet food and help you create a weight loss plan.
Exercise routine: Bending and flexing joints refreshes the fluid that lubricates the joint. Daily low-impact exercise like leash walks on gentle hills and swimming supports core muscle strength and improves range of motion without overloading sore joints.3,4 Walking your dog also benefits their mental well-being and strengthens your bond. Be sure to consult your vet before starting any new exercise routine to ensure it's safe and tailored to your dog's specific needs.
High-quality nutrition: What you feed your dog matters. When feeding large-breed puppies, controlled growth, appropriate nutrition and avoiding over-feeding are important to support their joint health.4 Feed them a high-quality large-breed puppy food. Adult dogs can benefit from a complete and balanced dog food appropriate for their life stage that contains omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil.
Proactive care: Treating joint disorders (such as hip dysplasia in puppies or cruciate ligament tears in adults) as soon as they are diagnosed can help prevent arthritis from developing down the line. Waiting to treat or not treating increases the likelihood that arthritis will develop.
Timing of spaying or neutering: The age at which your dog is spayed or neutered can impact their long-term health, including joint health. Talk with your veterinarian to determine the right timing for your dog.
If you notice that your older dog is slowing down or showing any of the other signs mentioned above, then schedule an appointment with your vet to have your dog evaluated for joint pain. If your puppy or adult dog isn’t showing signs but you would like to be proactive in preventing osteoarthritis, you can also make an appointment to discuss strategies with your vet.
If you have a puppy, have them evaluated by a vet as soon as possible for developmental joint conditions, including hip and elbow dysplasia. Even if your puppy has these conditions, you can take measures to reduce their risk of arthritis later in life.
While any changes in behavior are worth bringing up to your vet, red flags include:
If you are noticing any of these symptoms, get your dog seen by a vet immediately.
Treatment for OA in dogs focuses primarily on managing pain. Common options for this include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for dogs, injectable medications that relieve pain by targeting nerve growth factor and other oral pain medications.
Your vet may recommend joint supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids from fish or other marine oils as these have been shown to be beneficial in managing OA.5 They may also recommend a specific dog food that contains supplemental amounts of omega-3 fatty acids so that additional supplementation may not be needed.
Other physical treatments such as rehabilitation therapy, acupuncture and medical massage may benefit some dogs, but it's important to work with an appropriately qualified individual in this case. Ask your vet if these may be an option for your dog.
Dog joint pain is common, but it is not inevitable and can be treated. When you know what causes arthritis in dogs, how to spot symptoms early and have a trusted veterinary partner, you give your dog the best shot at long, active years. With the right dog arthritis treatment and home supports, your pup can keep showing up for the things that make them happiest.
Keep your dog lean, build lifelong movement habits, reduce repetitive high-impact activities and address orthopedic issues early with your vet.
Yes. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, including feet. The hips, elbows, stifles, ankles and spinal vertebrae are most commonly affected, but toe joints can hurt too.
With good dog joint care and regular veterinary oversight, many dogs live happily for years after diagnosis. Plan for regular check-ins to adjust therapy as needs change.
Yes, with a plan. Controlled, low-impact walks help maintain muscle and joint range of motion. Avoid weekend warrior spikes or high-impact activities. Your vet can help you set exercise goals.
Joint problems can appear in young dogs with developmental disease, while age-related OA risk rises in middle-aged and senior dogs.
Regular, appropriate walking supports strength and mobility. If your dog flares after activity, talk with your vet to manage pain and adjust pace, distance or terrain.
Maintain a healthy weight, nourish for mobility, train for lifelong movement and manage orthopedic risks early.
1 Aly Cohen. “Osteoarthritis.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. Updated December 9, 2025. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/osteoarthritis.
2 Michael H. Jaffe. “Joint Disorders in Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual Professional Version. Updated October 2025. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/musculoskeletal-system-introduction/joint-disorders-in-animals.
3 Joseph A. Impellizeri et al. “Effect of Weight Reduction on Clinical Signs of Lameness in Dogs With Hip Osteoarthritis.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 216(7): 1089-1091. April 1, 2000. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2000.216.1089.
4 Jagoda Kępińska-Pacelik and Wioletta Biel. “Nutritional Problems of Large and Giant Breed Dogs. Part I. Puppies.” Folia Pomeranae Universitatis Technologiae Stetinensis Agricultura Alimentaria Piscaria et Zootechnica 366(65):36-46. March 2023. https://doi.org/10.21005/AAPZ2023.65.1.4.
5 Canine Arthritis Resources and Education. “Overview of Omega 3 Fatty Acids for OA.” Accessed August 7, 2026. https://caninearthritis.org/article/overview-of-omega-3-fatty-acids-for-oa/.
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