Arthritis in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Arthritis is a condition that makes a dog’s joints stiff, painful and swollen.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Keep fresh water available
Let your dog rest somewhere calm

Don't

Do not give any human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Arthritis is a common condition that can make moving around difficult and uncomfortable.^[1] Arthritis is progressive, meaning it gets slowly worse over time.^[1]

Signs

Stiffness, especially after rest or walks
Limping or lameness
Narrowing of the hips and back end, with weak muscles in the back legs
Slowing down on walks
Being quiet, grumpy or sleeping more
Low energy
Saliva-stained fur around painful joints
Reluctance to jump or climb stairs
Enlarged or swollen joints
Weight loss, muscle wastage and prominent bones

Causes and risk factors

Genetics
Hip dysplasia
Injury or trauma
Obesity
Normal wear and tear later in life

How a vet finds out

Physical examination
Urine tests
X-rays

How vets treat it

Anti-inflammatories
Steroids
Medication
Surgery
Pain relief
Hospitalisation
Physiotherapy
Diet change

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Overview. Arthritis (osteoarthritis) is a very common condition that causes stiff, painful, swollen joints. Arthritis makes moving around difficult and uncomfortable. Arthritis is progressive, meaning it gets slowly worse over time.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What are common signs of arthritis in dogs?

Signs can include stiffness, limping or lameness, slowing down on walks, low energy, and swollen joints.^[1]

How might a vet find out if a dog has arthritis?

A vet may use a physical examination, urine tests and x-rays.

How might a vet treat arthritis in a dog?

Treatment may include anti-inflammatories, steroids, medication, surgery, pain relief, hospitalisation, physiotherapy or a diet change.

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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