Health
What Are the First Signs of Arthritis in Dogs?
The earlier you catch osteoarthritis, the better your dog's long-term quality of life. Here are seven early signs UK and US owners should not ignore.
Educational content — not veterinary advice
Information on this page is general guidance only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. Always work with your vet before making condition-related dietary changes.
As a dog owner, you know the weather changes before the forecast does — and so does your dog. But how do you tell the difference between a "slow morning" and genuine joint pain? Arthritis (osteoarthritis) is progressive and degenerative. The sooner you spot it, the more you can do.
1. Stiffness after resting
If your dog takes a minute to "warm up" after getting out of bed or the car, that's a red flag. Healthy joints move freely from the first step; stiff joints need a few minutes for synovial fluid to circulate.
2. Reluctance to jump
Does your dog hesitate before jumping into the car or onto the sofa? That hesitation is a pain calculation — they're deciding whether the landing is worth it.
3. Licking a specific joint
Dogs lick pain. A wrist, elbow or knee licked raw — or stained brown from saliva — is often a strong indicator of localised joint discomfort.
4. Warm or swollen joints
Compare left to right. A joint that feels puffier or warmer than its opposite is showing classic signs of inflammation.
5. Changes in gait
Watch your dog walk from behind. "Bunny hopping" (both hind legs together) or "swinging" a leg out to the side is biomechanical compensation for a painful joint.
6. Muscle wasting
Look at the quadriceps. If one thigh is visibly smaller than the other, the dog has been unloading that leg for weeks — and the muscle has atrophied to match.
7. Irritability
Pain makes dogs grumpy. If a normally friendly dog snaps when touched around the hips or lower back, listen to them — that's a pain response, not a behaviour problem.
What to do next
Book a vet visit to confirm a diagnosis. Ask about a body-condition score, a lameness exam, and whether X-rays are appropriate. Early-stage arthritis responds well to weight management, controlled exercise, and evidence-based supplementation — the earlier you start, the more you can slow progression.