Arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is progressively worsening joint inflammation caused by cartilage deterioration. In a healthy joint, cartilage acts as a cushion and allows the joint to move smoothly through its full range of motion. When this protective cushion is lost, the result is pain, inflammation, decreased range of motion, and bone spur development.

Like people, pets can experience joint inflammation and discomfort that significantly impacts their wellbeing. Arthritis can take a serious toll on your pet’s quality of life, so learn how to identify, treat, and prevent this painful condition.

What causes arthritis in pets?

While arthritis is generally thought to affect only older pets, any pet can develop arthritis at any age. However, older pets whose joints have seen a lifetime of wear and tear are more likely to develop the condition. 

Arthritis in pets can also be attributed to various other factors, including:

  • Genetics — Certain breeds with inherited traits are more predisposed to arthritis development. Large and giant breeds, like German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, Bernese mountain dogs, Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Great Danes, are more likely to become arthritic.
  • Obesity — Extra weight puts undue stress on pets’ joints, increasing their cartilage degeneration rate.
  • Activity history — Pets who are highly active or who engage in intense physical activity while they grow can suffer from joint damage and develop arthritis.
  • Injuries — While injuries such as bone fractures or ligament tears may heal or be surgically repaired, they can cause lasting damage that predisposes a pet to arthritis.
  • Poor conformation — Pets with abnormal joint and bone structures are more likely to suffer from joint inflammation and pain. Dogs with unusual skeletal structures, such as dachshunds, pugs, and bulldogs, are top arthritis development contenders. Pets who have hip or elbow dysplasia or luxating patellas because of abnormal joint conformation and are also at an increased risk.
  • Improper nutrition — If your pet’s diet was not balanced while they were growing and developing, or their current diet is poor quality, they can suffer from musculoskeletal issues that may result in arthritis.
  • Infections — Infections that affect the joints, like Lyme disease, can ultimately lead to arthritis.

What does arthritis look like in pets? 

Arthritis typically progresses slowly and your pet may show no signs of an issue until the condition has advanced. Keep an eye out for subtle clues that may indicate your furry pal has arthritis. Arthritis signs in pets include:

  • Lameness — A change in your pet’s gait generally doesn’t appear until they can no longer compensate for painful joints, which does not occur until later in the disease process. If your pet is visibly limping on one or more legs, they likely have later stage arthritis.
  • Reduced activity — A once playful pet may become less active, and avoid strenuous exercise or their once-favorite activities.
  • Stiffness — Difficulty getting up, especially after resting for a while, is a common arthritis sign. Once up and moving, your pet will seem to “warm up” from their stiffness.
  • Inability to climb or jump — Forceful motions, like climbing and jumping, can prove too painful for arthritic pets, who likely will not be able to use stairs, climb cat towers, or jump on furniture or in vehicles.
  • Inappropriate elimination — Posturing to urinate or defecate can be painful, as can clambering over the litter box sides, so your pet may have accidents inside the house.
  • Overgrooming — Compulsively licking a sore joint can result in hair loss, so you may notice patchy areas on wrists, hips, and other joints.
  • Behavior changes — Arthritic pets commonly become irritable, especially when touched on sore spots. They may also withdraw and avoid interaction.

What treatment options are available for arthritic pets?

Your pet’s arthritis is a degenerative condition and will continue to progress, but treatment measures can slow its progression and ease your pet’s pain. Many therapies designed for arthritis treatment can also be implemented as preventive measures, so the following proactive steps can help prevent or slow your pet’s arthritis:

  • Weight management — Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for alleviating stress on joints, so keep your four-legged friend lean throughout their life to protect their cartilage.
  • Regular exercise — Daily low-impact exercise will promote joint flexibility and muscle strength, and help your pet maintain a healthy weight.
  • Proper nutrition — A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, a balanced nutritional profile designed to support joint health, and a proper weight will help stave off arthritis.
  • Joint supplements — Joint supplements that contain powerful ingredients, such as glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussels, and avocado soybean unsaponifiable, are proven to decrease inflammation and preserve joint cartilage.

When preventive measures are no longer effective, treatments to manage pain and improve your pet’s quality of life include:

  • Medications — Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), pain-relieving agents, and various medications that work on different pain pathways inside the body can alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
  • Alternative therapies — Acupuncture, chiropractic care, laser therapy, underwater treadmill, and a variety of other alternative therapies work synergistically with medication and diet to achieve maximum pain relief.

If you suspect your four-legged friend has arthritis, don’t delay treatment. Implementing preventive and therapeutic measures early can preserve your pet’s joint cartilage and mobility. Give our team at The Old 41 Animal Hospital a call to set up an appointment.