is your pet slowing down? a guide to osteoarthritis and joint pain

Is your once-frisky pet moving a bit differently these days? Maybe you’ve noticed them avoiding furniture or stairs they once gracefully tackled. Or maybe they’re staying in bed longer than usual. We know it’s difficult to see your pet like this, but it’s possible they’re experiencing a chronic joint disease known as osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (or OA) is caused by a breakdown of the joint tissue. It can be very painful for pets and make it hard for them to get around comfortably. The good news is that it’s quite common and manageable — but tackling it early is key! The earlier you catch it, the earlier your pet can start treatment. And the earlier your pet can start treatment, the quicker they can find relief.

While OA is often seen in older pets, it can develop in dogs and cats at any age. If you’ve noticed your furry pal slowing down or being more cautious around stairs or furniture, it’s time to chat with your Banfield veterinary team. They can put together a personalized mobility treatment plan for your pet. Make an appointment

An illustration of a black and white cat eating out of a food bowl

Quick links on OA and mobility health

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Osteoarthritis treatment options

The gold standard is a multimodal approach. Take on OA treatment

What causes mobility issues in dogs and cats?

OA is a degenerative joint disease. This means that over time the cartilage in your pet’s joints gradually breaks down. This can cause painful inflammation for both dogs and cats.

So, what causes OA? There’s no simple answer, but the following factors tend to put your pet at higher risk:

Previous injury: Certain injuries may trigger pain and inflammation that leads to OA
Genetics: Certain dog breeds (such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers) are more prone to OA
Obesity: The extra weight can put extra strain on a pet’s joints leading to OA
Orthopedic issues like hip or elbow dysplasia: Having a developmental orthopedic disease means a pet is more likely to develop OA
Environmental factors: Nutrition and lifestyle can play a part in a dog or cat experiencing osteoarthritis

Pet owners often mistakenly assume the signs of OA are due to old age. While the two are often connected, old age itself is not a disease. OA is a painful mobility condition that can be managed with proper veterinary care.

Signs your pet may have arthritis or joint pain

Unfortunately, pets can’t tell us when they’re in pain. So it’s always important to keep an eye on your dog or cat for changes in behavior or activity. Oftentimes what people think is normal “old age” behavior is actually OA.

For dogs, signs and symptoms of OA include lagging on walks, limping after exercise, staying in bed or sleeping longer than usual, and reluctance to use stairs or jump on furniture.

Cats instinctively hide their pain, so detecting signs of OA can be more challenging. Look out for changes such as a decrease in overall energy and activity levels, less interaction with family members, peeing or pooping outside the litter box, changes in personality, or sleeping in a hunched position.

To learn more, watch our podcast episode about the signs of OA or visit our page about spotting OA

How vets diagnose osteoarthritis in pets

Detecting a possible joint issue at home is only the first step. To actually diagnose, manage, and treat the condition, you’ll need to take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

To identify the issue, your vet may use a combination of physical exam, diagnostics, X-rays, and behavioral cues. Your vet may also have you fill out a pain assessment for your pet. The goal of this assessment is to determine the frequency, duration, and severity of your pet’s pain. Examples of pain assessments include the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index, the Dog and Cat Osteoarthritis Pain Checklist, and the Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool.

Our Optimum Wellness Plans^® and Banfield Access Plan^™ are preventive care packages that can help detect issues like osteoarthritis. They include essential services as well as unlimited office visits and 24/7 Pet Chat^™ (available in most states). With Pet Chat, you can connect with a veterinary professional to get advice on arthritis or any other petcare concerns.

See more about Optimum Wellness Plans
Get info on the Banfield Access Plan

Two Banfield veterinary professionals examine a small black and white dog.

Ways to support your pet at home

If your furry pal is dealing with joint pain and/or limited mobility, there are some simple changes you can make at home. First and foremost, extra weight can put unnecessary strain on your dog’s or cat’s joints. Work with your veterinarian to determine feeding strategies that target weight loss in a healthy way. Aside from weight, here are some things to try that might help:

Stairs and ramps: Pet stairs and ramps help your pet onto furniture, relieve pressure from joints, and discourage jumping.
Soft, nonslip flooring: Rugs or yoga mats help provide comfort and traction, making it easier for your furry pal to get around.
Specialized sling or harness: A sling or harness takes weight off sensitive joints and can make it easier for you to assist your pet.
Orthopedic bedding: Bedding with memory foam or high-density support foam helps cushion pressure points and relieve joint pain.
Raising food and water bowls: Elevated and/or titled bowls can be easier for pets to reach and take the strain off commonly affected joints.
Toe grips: Dogs use their toenails for traction, and dogs with OA may struggle on slippery floors. Toe grips are an easy solution to help them maintain traction even on hard-surface flooring.
Large, low-entry litter boxes: Arthritic cats often struggle to get in and out of their litter box due to high edges. Removing the obstacle of stepping over a high lip will allow your pet to continue to use their litter box.
Shallow litter in the box: A thinner layer of litter can help cats with OA move around in the litter box with greater ease.
Create a safe zone: If setting up new flooring and ramps is difficult, limit your pet to a smaller space with helpful mobility aids.

Wondering if your pet with osteoarthritis should be exercising? The short answer is yes! The longer answer is that the specific exercise depends on your pet and the severity of their OA. Recommended exercise may involve anything from a few quick controlled walks a day to having your pet use an underwater treadmill.

You don’t have to wait until your pet is showing signs of osteoarthritis to help. Get info on helping prevent or delay osteoarthritis

Treatment options for arthritis and joint pain

When it comes to treating osteoarthritis, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. What’s best for one pet may look very different than what’s best for another. Your vet will typically recommend a multimodal approach that will likely include a combination of the following:

Prescription medications to manage pain and inflammation
Therapeutic diets
Physical therapy
Joint supplements or nutraceuticals
Monthly monoclonal antibody injections
Laser therapy
Acupuncture
Regular exercise and/or physical therapy
Weight loss plan

A pet owner holds out a bowl of cat food to a black and white cat

Please note that not all these treatments are available through Banfield, and your vet may need to refer your pet to a specialist.

Osteoarthritis isn’t curable, but with early intervention it can be manageable and your pet can live a long, comfortable life.

Find out more about treating osteoarthritis in pets

Important Notice: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a veterinarian with any questions regarding your pet's health or medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional veterinary advice based on information from this page.

FAQs about osteoarthritis and mobility

How can I help my dog with arthritis at home?

If your dog has arthritis, they’ll likely benefit from additional rugs or mats, ramps or stairs to reach furniture, and elevated and/or tilted food and water bowls. Making sure they maintain a healthy weight is the most important thing you can do to help with OA pain. Talk to your veterinarian to see what specific measures and/or modifications they recommend.

Concerned about your pet's mobility? Let's make a plan.

If your pet is showing signs of osteoarthritis or you have questions about treating your pet’s mobility issues, it’s time to talk to your Banfield veterinary team.

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