a pet owner’s guide to osteoarthritis treatment options

Osteoarthritis (or OA) is a chronic condition that affects a dog’s or cat’s joints. While it can feel overwhelming and scary to watch your pet’s mobility suffer, know that OA is common and can be very manageable.

To support your pet’s condition long-term, it’s important to start a treatment plan as soon as possible. OA is irreversible, but there are several things you can do to ease symptoms and slow progression. The gold standard is a multimodal approach, meaning a combination of treatments are used at once. It’s never too late to try — a lot of recent breakthroughs have been made in pet pain management and there are a lot more to come!

The first step is a conversation with your vet. Make an appointment to start building a mobility plan for your pet 

Why a multimodal approach is best for your pet

OA is thought of as a “whole body” disease. While it starts as joint pain, it often also affects a pet’s weight, muscle mass, and mental well-being. Because of this, OA is typically treated with a multimodal approach (aka a combination of treatments).

Think of it like a sports team: every member on the team has a specific function, but they all need to work together for the best possible outcome. It’s the same thing with treating OA. Each treatment targets different areas of a pet’s condition and together they give your pet the best chance at living comfortably with OA.

It’s important to note that every pet’s experience with OA is unique and their treatment plan will reflect this. A customized plan is essential for success.

Supporting your pet at home: lifestyle and environment adjustments

Treating your pet’s OA starts at home. There are several adjustments or additions you can make to help ease your pet’s pain. Here’s how to help:

• Change to an orthopedic pet bed. These provide more support and relief than regular pet beds.
• Add ramps or pet stairs. Not only do ramps and stairs take stress off affected joints, but they also prevent jumping, which can lead to injuries. They can be used aside couches, beds, cat trees, or vehicles.
• Add nonslip flooring or use toe grips (dogs only). Rugs, floor grips, or yoga mats provide a nonslip surface to your pet’s surroundings and can help improve their stability and posture while standing and walking. Toe grips are an alternative for dogs that can provide traction even on slippery surfaces where additional floor coverings are not possible.
• Raise food and water bowls. Elevating and/or tilting your pet’s bowls can help to reduce strain on their neck and back.
• Modify daily routines. Your vet may recommend shorter, controlled, and more frequent walks to support your pet’s mobility. They may also recommend alternative forms of exercise like swimming, passive range of motion, or working with a physical therapist to encourage movement in a helpful way.

If you have questions about supporting your pet at home, speak with your veterinarian or contact a veterinary professional 24/7 through Pet Chat™ (available in most states). It’s included in all our Optimum Wellness Plans^® and the Banfield Access Plan^™.

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The role of nutrition and joint supplements

Nutrition plays an important role in treating osteoarthritis. First and foremost, diet may be linked to excess weight, which is a major cause and stressor of OA. Changing a pet’s diet and/or reducing their portions is instrumental in reaching a healthy weight. Work with your veterinarian to find the correct diet for healthy weight loss.

Another route for getting joint-friendly ingredients is through supplements. These are offered in a range of forms (pills, powders, liquids, etc.) and can be used in conjunction with or instead of a therapeutic diet. Ask your vet what nutritional changes they recommend for your pet.

Note: While therapeutic diets and supplements can support joint health, they can’t stop the progression of OA and shouldn’t be used as a replacement for vet-prescribed pain meds or other treatments.

Physical medicine: rehabilitation and alternative therapies

Alternative therapies and physical rehabilitation may also be recommended as part of an OA treatment plan. Their primary aim is to reduce pain, maintain muscle mass, and/or support mobility. Specific examples include:

• Low-impact exercises like controlled leash walks or swimming
• Laser therapy
• Acupuncture
• Shockwave
• Electrical stimulation
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill and other exercise programs performed in water)
• At-home exercises and stretches
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Therapeutic massage

Please note that the above treatment options may not be available everywhere. Your vet will advise on what to do for your furry pal’s unique case. Several of these options may require recurring trips to a veterinary specialist.

What are the main veterinary medications for pet arthritis?

Most osteoarthritis treatment plans include an NSAID. These medications work by inhibiting the production of certain enzymes that then prevent chemicals that can cause pain and inflammation (called “prostaglandins”) from being produced. These medications can cause side effects and not all pets may be a good candidate for NSAID therapy as a result. Examples of popular generic NSAIDs include carprofen, deracoxib, meloxicam, and robenacoxib.

NSAIDs require a prescription from a veterinarian — never give human NSAIDs to your pet. Your vet will test your pet’s liver and kidneys before starting an NSAID, and recurring blood work is neceasary to determine its long-term safety.

Rimadyl^® and Galliprant^®

Rimadyl is commonly prescribed for chronic OA pain. It’s an NSAID that comes in chewable, caplet, and injectable forms, and it’s typically given once or twice a day.

Galliprant is an NSAID that targets the specific pain receptor associated with OA in dogs. Unlike the NSAIDs mentioned earlier, it's part of a newer class of drugs called “piprants.” Because of how it works, it often yields fewer side effects and is a good option for dogs that have poor kidney or liver function. Keep in mind that it still requires veterinary monitoring with regular blood work.

How do monoclonal antibody injections work?

Monoclonal antibody injections are a breakthrough in OA pain management. There’s currently Librela™ for dogs and Solensia™ for cats. They both use man-made antibodies to target and neutralize the nerve growth factor (NGF), which is a big part of chronic OA pain. These injections are administered by a veterinary professional once a month.

Monoclonal antibody injections are super targeted and have shown fewer side effects than traditional medications. They’ve specifically shown a low impact on the liver and kidneys, which makes them a great option for senior pets or pets who aren’t good candidates for NSAID therapy.

Other pain medications for advanced cases

If your pet’s osteoarthritis is more advanced, a multimodal approach using different medications (instead of or in addition to NSAID medications) may be needed to address your pet’s pain.

Examples of these pain medications are gabapentin, amantadine, and tramadol.

Emerging options: regenerative therapies