how to prevent or delay osteoarthritis in pets

At Banfield, we’re big fans of preventive care. Being proactive about your pet’s health helps minimize future medical issues and reduce costs associated with advanced disease. A significant part of preventive care is joint health. After all, your pet’s mobility is essential in helping your pet walk, play, and move around with ease.

Joint health preventive care starts long before symptoms appear. It’s about doing what you can to care for your furry pal’s joints from the very start. In this article, we’ll explain the joint disease osteoarthritis (or OA) and how you can help prevent or delay the severity of it.

Looking for help staying on top of your pet’s preventive care? We offer Optimum Wellness Plans^® and the Banfield Access Plan^™ that support mobility throughout every life stage. Each one includes comprehensive exams, unlimited office visits, 24/7 Pet Chat^™ (available in most states), and lots more.

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Can osteoarthritis be prevented in dogs and cats?

Not entirely. Unfortunately, OA can’t be completely prevented due to certain factors like genetics. However, the risk can be significantly reduced with healthy lifestyle choices and regular veterinary checkups. This proactive approach can help delay the onset and lessen the severity of osteoarthritis.

One of the most important ways to slow the progression of OA is to keep your pet at a healthy weight throughout their life. Extra weight puts additional stress on joints and increases the risk of injuries such as ligament tears or back problems. These injuries create inflammation that damages healthy cartilage, causing it to break down more quickly. Maintaining a healthy body weight helps protect the joints and can keep your pet more comfortable and active for longer.

We recommend visiting the vet for a comprehensive exam every six months. This lets us look for changes in your pet’s overall health. It also lets you discuss any behavioral developments at home, as well as your pet's current diet and lifestyle. If you have any concerns or notice any changes with your pet, please make an appointment to see your vet sooner.

OA is a degenerative disease, which means it will worsen over time. Discovering it early allows us to intervene with proper treatment to slow down the disease and help your pet find relief.

What are the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The sooner you identify OA, the sooner you can help slow its progression. But here’s the tricky part — pets (especially cats!) are notoriously good at hiding their pain, so keeping a close eye on them is important.

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs:

• Lagging on walks
• Decreased interest in playing
• Staying in bed or sleeping longer than usual
• Stiffness after rest
• Limping after exercise
• Reluctance to use stairs, jump into the car, or jump on furniture

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis in cats:

• A decrease in overall energy and activity levels
• Less interactive with family members
• Decreased interest in playing
• Peeing or pooping outside the litter box
• Grooming themselves less
• Licking or chewing a certain spot
• Purring more (purring can actually be a sign of pain)
• Changes in personality (more sensitive or withdrawn)
• Flinching or meowing when being petted or picked up
• Scratching or biting
• Sleeping in a hunched position

Head to our blog for more signs of osteoarthritis

What causes osteoarthritis in pets?

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease in which cartilage (a smooth, flexible connective tissue) around the joints starts to wear way. This leads to bone-on-bone friction, inflammation, and pain.

There’s no single cause, but the following factors tend to put your pet at higher risk:

• Genetics: Breeds that are more prone to developmental orthopedic diseases (like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Labrador Retrievers) are more prone to OA.
• Obesity: There’s a strong link between obesity and OA since extra weight means extra strain on a pet’s joints.
• Previous injury or surgery: Certain injuries or surgeries may trigger pain and inflammation that leads to OA.
• Dysplastic disease: Developmental conditions such as spondylosis, chondrodysplasia, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia can increase the risk of OA.

The role of diet, supplements, and therapies in joint health

Here are some nutritional categories that help joint health:

• Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids to help manage inflammation
• Glucosamine supplementation to support joint cartilage health
• Antioxidant supplementation to help minimize damage from oxygen-containing free radicals

If your pet has been diagnosed with OA or is at risk for it, these diets can be very helpful. Talk to your veterinarian to see what they recommend.

Supplements and therapies:

Supplements may be recommended in addition to or in place of a diet change. These are some of the most popular:

• Omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA are thought to decrease inflammation throughout the body, including the joints, leading to a decrease in cellular injury and tissue damage.
• Green-lipped mussel: Products containing GLM have cartilage modifying and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate: When paired together, these work synergistically. Glucosamine contributes to cartilage formation and repair, reduces inflammation, and slows cartilage breakdown. Chondroitin sulfate improves the elastic properties of cartilage and reduces painful swelling in joints.

Different therapeutic modalities

• Monoclonal antibody injections: These are monthly injections that target nerve growth to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG): This injectable, known more commonly as Adequan, slows cartilage degradation and reduces pain and inflammation.
• Physical therapy: Various low-impact movements and massages can help relieve joint pain and improve mobility.

The importance of exercise and weight management for healthy joints

Exercise:

Regular exercise plays a big role in joint health. It helps keep joints flexible, strengthens muscles, and reduces inflammation.

Pets who have OA or are at high risk should stick to low-impact exercises like walking or swimming. These pets should also avoid high-impact exercises like running for extended periods or jumping, as they can exacerbate symptoms by putting too much strain on the joints.

A warm-up and cool-down can be beneficial for your pet’s exercise routine. Just make sure to always listen to your pet when they determine that it’s time to rest and time to continue. If your pet hasn’t been active, make sure to start off any exercise program gradually and talk to your veterinarian for their recommendations around a tailored plan for your furry pal.

Weight management:

The percentage of overweight and obese pets has reached epidemic levels, and osteoarthritis is one of several diseases commonly associated with excess weight. Maintaining a healthy body weight is an important part of helping prevent and treat your pet’s joint issues.

If you’re unsure if your pet is a healthy weight, you can use visual cues to help determine. Take a look at your furry friend from the side and above — ideally, you should be able to see their waist but not their ribs. The chart below provides more details.