Osteoarthritis in Dogs & Diet

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative condition affecting the bones and joints. It causes stiffness, pain and discomfort. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting dogs, but other canine arthritic conditions include degenerative joint disease, osteochondrosis, hypertrophic arthritis, wrist arthritis, shoulder degeneration, kneecap dislocation and various dysplasias, including those affecting the knee, elbow and hip.

  1. Signs of Osteoarthritis

    • The first sign of osteoarthritis in a dog is usually an altered gait due to the favoring of one or more limbs over others, according to the website Vet Info. Because osteoarthritis can affect certain joints more than others, a dog will likely try to avoid putting as much pressure on the more painful joints. Other signs include stiffness, difficulty getting up or down, difficulty jumping or climbing stairs, changes in appetite and behavior and licking or biting affected limbs.

    Causes of Osteoarthritis

    • Osteoarthritis is characterized by the gradual loss of joint cartilage, according to experts at Vet Info. As cartilage degenerates, the bones that were separated by that cartilage begin to rub together, producing pain and discomfort. Though this type of arthritis can strike younger dogs--particularly the inactive and/or overweight--osteoarthritis usually occurs in older canines due to the normal wear and tear on joints that naturally happens over the course of a lifetime. It can also be caused by other joint conditions, however, such as dysplasias. When osteoarthritis is caused by other health problems, it is called secondary degenerative joint disease.

    General Dietary Guidelines for Canine Osteoarthritis

    • Experts at the Vet Info website recommend a high-quality diet for dogs with osteoarthritis to help maintain overall good health and joint quality. These diets should be all natural, consist of human-grade ingredients and be free of chemicals, preservatives, fillers and by products, such as BHT, BHA and ethoxyquin. Premium and holistic foods often provide this, as well as the recommended ratio of 40 percent meat, 50 percent vegetables and 10 percent carbohydrates.

    Diet or Light Foods for Arthritic Dogs

    • Excess weight puts more stress on joints, which causes more pain. This can be especially uncomfortable for dogs with arthritis, and yet dogs with this condition may have more trouble exercising due to the pain. Experts at Vet Info recommend putting an overweight, arthritic dog on a high-quality diet or "light" food formula. Foods with grains should also be avoided, as grains produce insulin. Insulin, in turn, makes it more difficult to maintain or lose weight.

    Supplements for Arthritic Dogs

    • Dogs suffering from osteoarthritis can benefit from supplements added to their normal, high-quality diet. Supplements recommended by the website Vetinfo include glucosamine (which promotes the creation of new cartilage), chondroitin (which helps prevent further damage), essential fatty acids (which reduce inflammation), MSM (which stands for Methyl-sulfonyl-methane, a source of sulfur believed to be beneficial for arthritic conditions), hyaluronic acid, green-lipped mussel extract, fish oils and creatine.