Signs of Arthritis in Dogs: The Early Changes Owners Miss

Short answer: the first signs of arthritis in dogs are small changes in behaviour, not an obvious limp. Look for stiffness when getting up, hesitation at stairs or the car, shorter walks, less play, and licking at one joint. Dogs hide pain well, so many owners read these signs as normal ageing.

Here is what to watch for, how to score it at home, how vets confirm arthritis, and what slows it down.

What arthritis is

Arthritis in dogs usually means osteoarthritis. The cartilage that cushions a joint wears down, the joint becomes inflamed, and the bone beneath it changes. It is a long-term condition: it cannot be cured, but it can often be managed well, especially when it is found early.

Hips, knees, elbows, shoulders and the lower back are commonly affected.

12 early signs of arthritis in dogs

Changes in movement

  1. Slow or stiff when getting up, especially after sleep
  2. Limping that comes and goes, often worse in the morning
  3. Walking with a shorter stride, or a stiff back end
  4. Sitting or lying down in stages, or dropping down heavily

Changes in daily habits

  1. Hesitating before stairs, the couch or the car
  2. Turning back early on walks, or falling behind
  3. Less interest in play, or stopping sooner
  4. Sleeping more, or moving around less at home

Changes in body and mood

  1. Licking or chewing one joint or leg
  2. Less muscle on the back legs
  3. Grumpy when touched near the hips or back
  4. Restless at night, or trouble getting comfortable

One sign alone does not prove arthritis. Two or three signs together, over weeks, is a good reason to see your vet.

Why owners miss it

There are three main reasons.

  • Dogs rarely cry. A dog in chronic pain usually gets quieter. It does less. It does not whimper.
  • The change is slow. You see your dog every day, so you do not notice a small drop each month.
  • "Old age" feels like an answer. Age is a risk factor, but pain is not a normal part of ageing. If you want to look at that question in more detail, read why is my senior dog slowing down.

Which dogs are most at risk

  • Large and giant breeds, such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Rottweilers
  • Overweight dogs, because extra weight adds load and body fat itself promotes inflammation
  • Dogs with joint problems from a young age, such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia
  • Dogs with an old injury, such as a knee ligament tear or fracture
  • Senior dogs, although arthritis can start well before old age

A simple at-home check

Once a month, give your dog a score from 0 (normal) to 3 (hard) for each item:

  • Getting up from the bed
  • Climbing stairs or getting into the car
  • Keeping up on the usual walk
  • Playing
  • Stiffness after rest

Write the total down. The number itself is not a diagnosis. Its use is to show the trend, so a slow change becomes visible. Take it to your vet with a short video of your dog walking and getting up. Vets also use validated owner questionnaires, such as the Canine Brief Pain Inventory and LOAD, and your notes make these easier to complete.

How vets diagnose arthritis

Your vet will usually ask about changes at home, watch your dog walk, and feel the joints for pain, swelling, thickening or reduced movement. X-rays can show changes in the joint, and they can rule out other problems. X-rays do not always match the level of pain: a dog with mild changes can hurt a lot, and the reverse also happens.

Your vet will also want to exclude other causes, such as ligament tears, disc disease or tick-borne disease. Blood tests are often done before starting long-term medication.

When to go sooner

See a vet quickly if your dog will not bear weight, has a swollen or hot joint, shows sudden pain, or has weak or wobbly back legs. These signs are not typical of slow arthritis and need a proper look. Our guide to morning limping lists the urgent signs.

What slows arthritis down

Weight control

This has some of the strongest evidence. In a lifetime study of Labrador Retrievers (Kealy et al., JAVMA, 2002), lean dogs lived a median of about 1.8 years longer than their heavier littermates and developed joint disease later. For an overweight dog, losing weight may help as much as anything else you can do.

Regular, gentle exercise

Muscle stabilises a joint. Complete rest makes arthritis worse over time. Short daily walks on soft ground are better than rare long outings.

Vet pain relief

Pain control matters because a dog in pain moves less, loses muscle and gets stiffer. Vets may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or monthly injections that target a pain signal. Long-term use needs veterinary monitoring. Do not give human painkillers: they can be seriously toxic to dogs.

Physical therapy

A canine rehabilitation vet can show you exercises. Hydrotherapy is useful because water supports the body weight.

Home changes

Non-slip rugs, a thick bed, ramps and raised bowls for dogs that struggle to lower their neck all reduce daily strain.

Omega-3s and joint supplements

Evidence varies by ingredient. A 2022 review of nutraceuticals in osteoarthritis (Barbeau-Grégoire et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences) found support for omega-3 products, but no meaningful pain benefit from chondroitin-glucosamine products, and advised against recommending those for pain. Green-lipped mussel, a natural source of omega-3s including ETA, has several canine studies behind it. One double-blind study of 31 dogs found better joint pain and swelling scores after six weeks with green-lipped mussel in the food (see the study summary). Read our full guide to green-lipped mussel for dogs.

Frequently asked questions

At what age do dogs get arthritis?

Most often in middle and old age, but large breeds and dogs with dysplasia can show signs when they are young adults. Do not rule it out because your dog is "only five."

Is arthritis painful for dogs?

Yes, even when the dog does not cry. Less activity and less play are often the signs of that pain.

Can arthritis in dogs be reversed?

The joint damage cannot be reversed. But pain, mobility and quality of life can often improve a lot with weight control, exercise and veterinary care.

How long can a dog live with arthritis?

Arthritis itself does not usually shorten life directly. Many dogs live for years with good management. Quality of life is the main concern, which is why early treatment matters.

Should I walk a dog with arthritis?

Usually yes. Keep walks short, regular and gentle, and let your vet guide you if your dog is having a flare-up.

The takeaway

Do not wait for a limp. If your dog hesitates, slows down or stops playing, score it, film it, and talk to your vet. Lean weight, daily gentle movement and pain control do the heavy lifting.

For daily support on top of your vet's plan, our Hip & Joint Chews combine green-lipped mussel with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, turmeric and type II collagen, with a 90-day money-back guarantee.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. MyPupAgain chews are a food supplement, not a medicine, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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