General information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your dog, see your vet.
Dogs are good at hiding pain. Joint problems usually start quietly: a slower start in the morning, a pause before the stairs, a walk that ends sooner than it used to. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases in dogs, and its early signs are often subtle. As VCA puts it, "age is not a disease." Changes like these are worth a vet visit, not just a shrug about getting older.
Use this checklist to spot the signs early and describe them clearly to your vet.
The checklist
Getting up and lying down
- Stiffness, especially after resting, or difficulty getting up from lying down
- Changes in posture, such as sitting or lying down differently than before
Moving around
- Limping, even if it comes and goes
- Reluctance to go up or down stairs, or to jump onto the sofa or into the car
- A stiff walk in the back or front legs
- "Bunny hopping": moving both back legs together when running
- Shifting weight onto the front legs to take load off the hips
Activity and body
- Slowing down on walks or losing interest in play
- Loss of muscle over the back legs or along the spine
- Weight gain, often because the dog is moving less
One sign on its own doesn't mean your dog has a joint problem. But if you tick two or three, or you notice a change that keeps coming back, book a vet check. VCA advises having your dog evaluated by your veterinarian if you suspect osteoarthritis.
Hip problems in particular
Hip dysplasia is a common cause of hip pain. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) says it "occurs most commonly in large breed dogs," and that genetics is the main risk. ACVS lists these signs: limping, reluctance to rise or jump, shifting weight onto the front legs, loss of muscle on the back legs, and hip pain. Many affected dogs show no obvious signs at first.
Hip dysplasia shows up in two groups of dogs: young dogs with loose hip joints, and older dogs who have developed arthritis because of it. That's why ACVS recommends checking puppies at 10 to 16 weeks, during their vaccination visits.
When to call the vet straight away
Don't wait and watch if your dog:
- suddenly can't or won't put weight on a leg;
- has a swollen, hot or very painful joint;
- has joint signs together with a fever, low energy or loss of appetite.
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists lameness, swelling and pain in a joint, fever, listlessness and loss of appetite as signs of infectious (septic) arthritis, which needs a vet's treatment.
Never give your dog human pain relievers unless your vet tells you to.
How to help your vet
- Keep a short log. Note what you see and when: first thing in the morning, after a long walk, in cold weather.
- Take a video. Film your dog getting up, walking toward and away from you, and going up a few steps. Dogs often move differently at the clinic.
- Write down what your dog eats, including treats and any supplements.
What usually helps
Your vet will suggest a plan based on what they find. It often includes:
- Weight control. ACVS calls a slender body weight "by far the most critical aspect" of managing osteoarthritis.
- The right kind of exercise. ACVS suggests controlled activities like leash walks instead of high-impact play for dogs with arthritis.
- Small changes at home. Rugs on slippery floors, ramps for the car or sofa, and a supportive bed.
- Medication when needed, prescribed by your vet.
- Joint supplements as support. ACVS lists chondroitin, glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids as the most commonly recommended joint supplements. Our guide on when to start joint supplements for dogs covers timing by size and age.
About Cevosy Hip & Joint Chews
Cevosy Hip & Joint Chews are daily soft chews made to support healthy joints and cartilage, help maintain joint lubrication and ease occasional joint stiffness. Each serving of 2 soft chews (4.4 g) contains glucosamine HCl 500 mg, MSM 300 mg, chondroitin sulfate 250 mg, turmeric / curcumin 450 mg, green-lipped mussel 100 mg, egg shell / collagen source 100 mg, Type II collagen (UC-II) 15 mg, hyaluronic acid 15 mg and omega-3 / fish oil 15 mg. Chicken or bacon flavor, 60 soft chews per tub.
They're a supplement, not a treatment. If your dog is showing the signs above, see your vet first. For use in dogs only. If your dog's condition worsens or doesn't improve, stop and talk to your vet.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Five signs your pet has osteoarthritis
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons: Canine hip dysplasia and Osteoarthritis in dogs
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Other joint disorders in dogs
