Arthritis in Senior Dogs: Signs, Treatment and What Works

Osteoarthritis affects most dogs by their senior years and most large dogs earlier. It is progressive, it is painful, and it is the condition where owners most often accept a decline that a vet could have reversed. Dogs do not limp until it hurts a lot; they simply do less.

Signs

• Stiff when getting up, better after a few minutes of moving
• Slower on walks, stopping to sniff more often (a polite way to rest)
• Hesitating at stairs, the car, the sofa
• Bunny-hopping up stairs, sitting crooked, standing with weight shifted forward
• Muscle loss over the hips and thighs, a bigger chest by comparison
• Licking or chewing at a joint
• Grumpy when touched, less keen on being petted around the back end
• Sleeping more, playing less, “just getting old”

What works, by strength of evidence

Weight loss. The strongest single intervention. In the lifetime Labrador study, lean-fed dogs developed arthritis two years later and needed treatment for it years later than their heavier littermates. Even a 6% loss of body weight measurably improves lameness scores. Start with the ideal weight calculator.

NSAIDs. Canine non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (carprofen, meloxicam, firocoxib, grapiprant) are the backbone of treatment and are safe long term in most dogs with monitoring bloodwork. The fear of side effects keeps many dogs in pain unnecessarily. Never use human ibuprofen.

Anti-NGF monoclonal antibody injections. A monthly injection (bedinvetmab, sold as Librela) that blocks nerve growth factor. Large trials showed meaningful pain reduction, and it is an option for dogs that cannot take NSAIDs because of kidney or stomach problems. Reports of side effects exist; discuss with your vet.

Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil at therapeutic doses (EPA and DHA, not flaxseed) has consistent, moderate evidence for reducing lameness and NSAID doses. Dose by your vet, since the amounts are much higher than in a typical supplement.

Controlled exercise and physiotherapy. Short, frequent walks on soft ground beat one long weekend hike. Underwater treadmill and structured rehab keep muscle, and muscle protects joints.

Home changes. Non-slip flooring, ramps, an orthopedic bed, raised bowls. Cheap, and they change how much the dog moves.

Other drugs. Gabapentin and amantadine are added for chronic pain that NSAIDs alone do not control. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan injections have moderate evidence. Tramadol has little evidence in dogs.

Supplements with weak evidence. Glucosamine and chondroitin, green-lipped mussel, turmeric, CBD. Small or inconsistent trial effects. Not harmful, not a plan.

Planning care

Arthritis is managed, not cured. A workable plan is: reach ideal weight, daily NSAID with bloodwork twice a year, fish oil, non-slip floors, two or three short walks a day, and a re-check every three to four months to adjust. Ask your vet to score pain with a validated scale (for example the Canine Brief Pain Inventory) so you can both see whether the plan is working.