Arthritis in Pets: Recognizing the Signs and Easing the Pain

Medically reviewed by Dr. Harinder Babbar, DVM
Veterinarian & Medical Director, McQueen Animal Hospital, Brampton, Ontario

This article has been medically reviewed and is based on current evidence-based veterinary literature and clinical guidance.

Arthritis can cause chronic pain and reduced mobility in dogs and cats, but many pets do not show an obvious limp or cry out when they hurt. Instead, you may notice that your dog takes longer to get up, avoids stairs, or no longer jumps into the car, while a cat may stop jumping onto furniture, groom less, or struggle to use the litter box.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis discussed in dogs and cats, is common enough that the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) cites reported prevalence close to 40% in dogs and more than 50% in cats. A separate study of 100 cats aged 6 years and older found radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in 61% of the cats, with 48% showing changes in more than one joint.

These figures do not mean that every pet with arthritis experiences the same amount of pain. They do show why persistent changes in movement or behaviour deserve attention rather than being dismissed as normal aging.

What is arthritis in dogs and cats?

Arthritis means disease or inflammation affecting a joint. In dogs and cats, osteoarthritis is a chronic joint condition involving changes to cartilage, bone, and other tissues around the joint. It can cause pain, stiffness and reduced mobility over time.

Although arthritis is often associated with older pets, age alone does not cause osteoarthritis. Joint abnormalities, previous injuries, ligament disease and other orthopedic problems can contribute to arthritis earlier in life. In fact, a recent study of 123 dogs aged 8 months to 4 years found radiographic osteoarthritis in 39.8% of the dogs, although this was a single-practice study and should not be treated as a population-wide estimate.

That is why a pet’s age should not be used to decide whether a change in mobility is important.

Arthritis in dogs: symptoms to watch for

Dogs can compensate for chronic joint pain surprisingly well. A dog may continue eating normally and still want to go outside while quietly changing the way it moves.

Common arthritis in dogs symptoms include:

• Stiffness after resting
• Taking longer to stand up or lie down
• Limping or favouring a leg
• Reluctance to climb stairs
• Hesitation before jumping onto furniture or into a vehicle
• Shorter or slower walks
• Reduced interest in running or playing
• Changes in sitting or lying posture
• Reduced muscle mass around an affected limb
• Becoming less tolerant of handling or activity

AAHA notes that owners can identify chronic musculoskeletal pain by comparing their pet’s normal behaviour with changes that develop over time. The problem is that these changes are often interpreted as normal aging, which can delay evaluation.

One particularly useful clue is a change in a familiar activity. If your dog still wants to walk but can no longer keep its previous pace, or routinely stops before climbing stairs it once managed easily, that change is worth discussing with a veterinarian.

For a broader guide to recognizing discomfort, see these common signs of pain in dogs and cats.

Arthritis in cats: signs are often subtler

Arthritis in cats can be harder to recognize because cats often hide pain and may not develop an obvious limp.

Instead, an affected cat may:

• Jump less frequently or avoid high surfaces
• Move more stiffly
• Sleep more or play less
• Groom less effectively
• Become irritable when handled
• Spend more time hiding
• Have difficulty getting into or out of the litter box
• Change where it sleeps because a favourite location has become difficult to reach

Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine specifically notes that cats with joint pain may have difficulty with stairs, litter box access and grooming.

This is one reason behavioural changes matter in feline arthritis. A cat does not have to limp for joint pain to be present.

What causes arthritis in pets?

Osteoarthritis can develop from several different underlying problems. In dogs, developmental abnormalities such as hip or elbow disease, previous joint injury and ligament damage can contribute to later joint degeneration.

Excess body weight is another important factor, particularly in dogs. Weight optimization is considered an important part of osteoarthritis management because carrying excess weight increases mechanical demands on the joints and body fat also has biological effects associated with inflammation.

Cats can also develop osteoarthritis after joint injury or disease, and feline OA does not necessarily require a history of an obvious orthopedic problem.

The key point is that the underlying cause matters. A pet that seems stiff may have osteoarthritis, but similar signs can also occur with other orthopedic, neurologic, muscular or systemic conditions.

How a veterinarian evaluates suspected arthritis

A diagnosis should not be made from a symptom checklist alone.

During an examination, a veterinarian may assess:

• How your pet stands and walks
• Joint movement and range of motion
• Signs of pain or discomfort
• Joint swelling or other physical changes
• Muscle loss
• Previous injuries or medical conditions
• Body weight and body condition
• Other findings that could suggest a different cause

A comprehensive pet consultation and examination can help establish whether a mobility change is consistent with arthritis or whether another problem needs to be investigated.

Radiographs may be recommended when imaging is needed to evaluate bones and joints or to investigate another possible cause of pain. However, radiographic arthritis and clinical pain do not always correspond perfectly. Some pets can have noticeable pain with relatively limited radiographic changes, while others can have visible joint changes without obvious pain during an examination. Clinical signs and the physical examination remain important.

When imaging is appropriate, veterinary digital radiography and X-rays can help the veterinarian evaluate the bones and joints and look for structural changes.

Additional testing, including blood or urine testing, may be appropriate depending on the pet’s age, medical history, examination findings, and the treatment being considered. Depending on the clinical situation, pet pathology and diagnostic testing may be recommended to provide additional information about your pet’s health.

Ultrasound is not a routine test for every case of arthritis, but it may have a role when the veterinarian needs to evaluate certain soft tissues or investigate another suspected condition. In those cases, advanced veterinary ultrasound examination may provide additional diagnostic information.

Why videos from home can help

Short videos can be valuable because pets may move differently at home than they do in a clinic.

Consider recording your pet:

• Getting up after resting
• Walking on a familiar surface
• Using stairs
• Jumping, if they normally do so
• Getting into or out of a vehicle
• Performing another everyday activity that has recently changed

AAHA recommends owner involvement in chronic pain assessment and notes that home videos can help veterinarians evaluate movement and monitor response to treatment.

What does dog arthritis treatment involve?

There is no single dog arthritis treatment that is appropriate for every dog. Current veterinary guidance favours an individualized, multimodal approach that addresses pain, mobility, body condition and the underlying factors affecting the individual patient.

Weight management

For an overweight dog, achieving a healthier body condition can be an important part of arthritis care. Your veterinarian can help determine an appropriate feeding and weight-management plan rather than relying on uncontrolled calorie restriction.

Controlled activity

Exercise does not simply need to stop because a dog has arthritis. Carefully managed activity can help maintain muscle strength and mobility, while the type and amount of exercise should be adjusted to the dog’s condition and tolerance.

The goal is usually consistent, appropriate movement rather than cycles of intense activity followed by prolonged inactivity.

Veterinary pain management

Veterinarians may use prescription pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications when appropriate. The choice depends on factors such as the pet’s overall health, other medications, kidney or liver considerations, and how the individual responds to treatment.

Do not give your dog human pain medication without veterinary instruction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that commonly used human pain relievers, including ibuprofen and naproxen, can cause serious adverse effects in dogs, while cats are even more sensitive to many of these medications.

Nutrition and other therapies

Depending on the case, veterinary arthritis therapy for dogs may also include nutritional strategies, joint-support diets, rehabilitation or other non-drug approaches. Evidence varies between therapies, so they should be selected based on the individual pet rather than assuming that every supplement or therapy will provide the same benefit.

Surgery

Some pets have an underlying orthopedic problem that may benefit from surgery. Surgical options are not appropriate for every case of arthritis, but they may be considered when the joint disease, injury, or structural problem warrants it.

When surgery is appropriate, comprehensive veterinary surgical treatment options can be discussed based on the underlying condition and the individual pet’s needs.

For procedures requiring anesthesia, the veterinary team may also assess whether safe veterinary anesthesia and monitoring is appropriate based on the pet’s health and planned procedure.

What does cat arthritis treatment involve?

Cat arthritis treatment follows the same general principle of individualized, multimodal care, but cats require particular attention because they may show pain through behaviour rather than obvious lameness.

Depending on the cat, arthritis care for cats may involve:

• Veterinary pain management
• Maintaining a healthy body condition
• Appropriate activity
• Easier access to food, water and resting areas
• Litter boxes that are easier to enter
• Steps or intermediate surfaces that reduce large jumps
• Nutritional support when appropriate

Medication decisions are especially important in cats because some drugs that are tolerated by people or dogs can be dangerous to cats. Never use leftover medication from another pet or a human pain reliever as a substitute for veterinary guidance.

How can you make home life easier for an arthritic pet?

Small environmental changes can reduce unnecessary strain on painful joints.

For dogs, consider non-slip flooring in areas where they regularly walk, comfortable bedding that is easy to reach, and ramps or other alternatives to repeated jumping where appropriate.

For cats, make essential resources easier to access. A low-entry litter box, food and water placed near preferred resting areas, and intermediate platforms can reduce the need for difficult jumps.

These changes are supportive measures, not substitutes for assessing the underlying problem.

How do you know whether arthritis care is helping?

The most useful measure is often a return toward your pet’s normal daily behaviour rather than a complete disappearance of every sign.

You may notice that your pet:

• Gets up more comfortably
• Walks more willingly
• Uses stairs more confidently
• Returns to familiar play or activity
• Jumps more comfortably, when appropriate
• Grooms more normally
• Appears less irritable when handled
• Participates more normally in everyday routines

Keep track of these changes over time. AAHA’s pain-management guidance emphasizes reassessment and adjustment of treatment rather than assuming that one plan will remain appropriate indefinitely.

For pets without a current health concern, regular pet examinations for ongoing health can also help identify changes in mobility and joint health as they develop.

When is arthritis a routine appointment, and when is it urgent?

A gradual change in mobility, stiffness or behaviour generally warrants a veterinary appointment rather than waiting until the pet becomes severely affected.

However, do not automatically assume that sudden severe pain is “just arthritis.”

Arrange a veterinary assessment promptly if your pet:

• Has recurring or worsening lameness
• Is increasingly reluctant to walk, climb or jump
• Shows a persistent change in activity
• Appears uncomfortable when getting up or moving
• Develops new behaviour changes associated with movement or handling

Seek emergency veterinary care for signs such as:

• Sudden inability to stand or walk
• Severe or uncontrolled pain
• Major trauma or suspected fracture
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Severe bleeding
• Sudden extreme weakness or paralysis

Merck Veterinary Manual identifies inability to walk, substantial pain, trauma, respiratory difficulty, seizures and collapse among problems that can require immediate veterinary attention.

McQueen Animal Hospital provides emergency care for pets, but the appropriate response to a life-threatening situation depends on the circumstances and available emergency support. For sudden, serious problems, see the hospital’s emergency veterinary care information.

What should you bring to the appointment?

A clear history can help your veterinarian understand what is happening outside the clinic.

Bring or note:

• When you first noticed the change
• Whether it is getting better, worse or fluctuating
• Which activities have changed
• Previous injuries or orthopedic problems
• Current medications and supplements
• Recent weight changes
• Any other changes in eating, grooming, sleeping or behaviour
• Short videos of movement at home

For cats, specifically mention changes in jumping, grooming, litter box use, hiding or tolerance of touch.

These details help the veterinarian assess your pet’s pain and mobility in context rather than relying only on what can be observed during the examination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis in Pets

Can arthritis in dogs and cats be cured completely?

Osteoarthritis is generally a chronic condition rather than a disease that can simply be cured. Arthritis care focuses on controlling pain, maintaining mobility and supporting quality of life through an individualized long-term management plan.

Is it too late to start arthritis treatment for an older dog or cat?

No. Older pets can still benefit from arthritis assessment and appropriate pain-management strategies. The treatment plan depends on the pet’s overall health, the severity and cause of the joint disease, and how the pet responds to management.

How soon should I contact a veterinarian if I suspect my pet has arthritis?

Arrange a veterinary appointment when mobility, activity or behaviour changes persist, recur or progressively worsen. Earlier assessment can help determine whether arthritis is responsible and whether another condition needs attention.

What should I do if my pet’s arthritis seems worse despite treatment?

Contact your veterinarian for a reassessment rather than increasing, stopping or changing medication yourself. Worsening signs can mean that the condition has changed, another problem is present, or the current management plan needs adjustment.

Can arthritis become painful even if my pet still has some good days?

Yes. Chronic joint pain can fluctuate, and a pet may appear comfortable during some activities or days while still having underlying discomfort. Recording mobility and behaviour over time can help your veterinarian identify the overall pattern.

Does arthritis always mean my pet will eventually stop walking or jumping?

No. Arthritis progresses differently among individual pets. With appropriate veterinary management, many pets can continue participating in daily activities, although the amount and type of activity may need to change as their condition evolves.

Can an X-ray show arthritis without explaining how much pain my pet is experiencing?

Yes. X-rays can show structural joint changes, but the severity of radiographic changes does not always match the amount of pain or disability a pet experiences. Veterinary assessment therefore considers imaging alongside clinical signs, examination findings and the pet’s behaviour.

How can I tell whether my pet’s arthritis is affecting quality of life?

Look for changes in the activities and behaviours that normally make up your pet’s day, such as walking, playing, jumping, grooming, sleeping comfortably or interacting normally. A persistent reduction in these activities is a reason to discuss pain and mobility with your veterinarian.

Helping your pet live more comfortably with arthritis

Arthritis in pets is a condition that often needs ongoing attention, but recognizing the signs early can make a meaningful difference in how quickly pain and mobility concerns are addressed.

For dogs, changes such as stiffness, slower walks, difficulty with stairs or reluctance to jump can be early clues. For cats, the signs may be quieter: less jumping, poorer grooming, altered litter box habits or a change in normal behaviour.

The most important step is not trying to diagnose arthritis from a checklist. It is recognizing a meaningful change in your pet, documenting what you are seeing, and having your veterinarian determine whether arthritis is responsible and what type of management is appropriate.

The goal of arthritis therapy for dogs and cats is not simply to make a pet look more active. It is to reduce pain, support comfortable movement, maintain appropriate body condition and activity, and preserve the everyday behaviours that matter to the individual pet. Early recognition gives owners a better opportunity to address pain before mobility becomes significantly restricted.