Signs & Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

A major cause of chronic pain in dogs is arthritis, and the pain greatly affects a dog's lifestyle. While arthritis can afflict any dog at any age, it is most common in dogs that are sedentary, overweight or have suffered an injury. If you suspect that your dog has arthritis, you should monitor its behavior for the common signs and symptoms of canine arthritis. A dog that is showing symptoms of arthritis for two weeks should be taken to a veterinarian for an examination.

  1. Stiffness

    • Dogs with arthritis will have stiffness in their joints. If your dog doesn't get up and stand as quickly as it once did, or it seems uninterested in rising, it might have arthritis. Stiffness also can make your dog walk slower than normal, especially after waking from an overnight sleep or from a lengthy nap.

    Limping

    • Limping is often a sign that a dog has arthritis. Arthritis can develop in a leg that was injured in the past. If your dog seems to favor one side of its body over the other when walking, or if it has a leg that seems very weak it probably has arthritis.

    Weakness

    • Arthritis makes the limbs weak. A dog with arthritis might have trouble doing things that require standing for a long period of time such as eating or going to the bathroom. If your dog loses its balance easily or if its legs give out, have it checked for arthritis.

    Jumping Problems

    • A dog that is suffering from arthritis will have trouble jumping. If your dog used to jump up on your couch or onto your lap and no longer seems interested, it might be suffering from arthritis. If your dog does attempt to jump on your lap or onto furniture and does so clumsily, it can also be a sign of arthritis.

    Trouble with Stairs

    • A dog that has arthritis might have trouble walking up and down stairs. The pain of walking on stairs can be so intense that some dogs refuse to do so. If your dog used to take the stairs easily and now has no interest in stairs---or takes longer than normal to use stairs---it probably has arthritis.

    Personality Changes

    • A dog that is no longer interested in playing could have arthritis. If your dog sleeps more than usual and is showing no interest in chasing a ball, running around, going on walks or doing activities that once excited it, your dog isn't feeling well. When these personality changes are accompanied by the other symptoms of arthritis, you should have your dog checked for arthritis.