I’ve noticed my senior pet has slowed down considerably. Is he sick?
As humans age, we can feel (and hear!) the telltale signs of ageing joints by their creaks and cracks; aches and pains. In pets, however, it can be much more difficult to identify joint issues. Though many pets do not show obvious signs of arthritis pain, studies have shown that 80% of dogs over the age of eight years old and 90% of cats over the age of 12 are affected by arthritis. Your pet cannot tell you when their joints are hurting but they will show signs of arthritis pain, which you’ll be able to identify at home. In this article, we share the signs of osteoarthritis to look out for in pets, and the tests and treatments involved in the management of joint pain in pets. 
What causes osteoarthritis in pets?
Arthritis, simply, is painful inflammation of the joints. There are many different types of arthritis (in humans and animals), which can occur for a variety of reasons The type our pets most commonly experience is age-related osteoarthritis.
There are four main parts to a joint. There are the bones that are moving together, cartilage overlying the bone surfaces to make them smooth, joint fluid (also known as synovial fluid) that sits between the two bones and their cartilage surfaces and acts as a shock-absorber and lubricant, and the joint capsule, which surrounds the joint.
Osteoarthritis is an age-related condition because damage and wear to joint cartilage occurs over time. Cartilage cannot regenerate, and unfortunately once it has worn away it cannot be replaced. Therefore, as cartilage erodes, bone ends start to rub against each other. This causes damage to the ends of the bone in the joint, which in turn results in painful swelling in and around the joint. The bones can break down at the joint surface, which triggers new bone to form around the joint to try and stabilise it. Inflammatory chemicals and cells are released into the synovial fluid, which spreads the inflammation over the joint surface. As inflammation continues, the joint capsule becomes thickened and irritated, and can become stiffened, further limiting joint movement.
Arthritic joints are often swollen and painful. This causes a loss of mobility because of the increased fluid inside the joint, bony changes in and around the joint, and stiffening of the joint capsule.
Signs of arthritis in dogs
The signs of arthritis that you may notice in your dog include:
- struggling to rise from lying down
- limping for a few minutes after rising
- stiffness when walking
- prolonged stiffness the day after walks or vigorous exercise
- licking and chewing on painful joints
- swollen joints
- unusual aggression towards other people and animals nearby
More subtle signs could include running slower (some pet parents notice their dogs walking beside or behind them, when they used to bound ahead of them) and not wanting to jump, play, or catch balls as they used to.
Signs of arthritis in cats
The signs of arthritis are much more subtle in cats than in dogs. This is because cats mask their pain to avoid showing signs of weakness (a survival mechanism to prevent themselves from becoming a target for predators in the wild).
Signs of joint pain in cats can include:
- struggling to climb stairs or jump up onto furniture
- urinating outside of the litter box (too sore to climb into litter box)
- unkempt coat (they struggle to groom themselves due to a loss of joint flexibility)
- muscle loss
- swollen joints
How will the vet diagnose my pet with arthritis?
To diagnose arthritis, the vet will feel and manipulate the joints, limbs, and spine to detect signs of pain and cartilage destruction. There is often a ‘clicking’ sensation in arthritic joints, called crepitus.
The vet may also suggest X-rays of the affected areas to determine the extent and severity of arthritic damage to joints. This will enable them to see what level of intervention is required -– whether slight modifications or more invasive surgery.
What are the treatment options for dogs and cats with arthritis?
Nutrition
Nutrition is the main factor that plays a role in preventing arthritis, as well as keeping existing joint cartilage healthy when arthritis is already present.
- Weight: Overweight dogs are more likely to develop joint issues because their body weight is exerting a heavier load than their joints were designed to carry. Excess body fat can also worsen pre-existing arthritis as fat is pro-inflammatory (it amplifies inflammation in the body). It is important to check your pet’s weight regularly, and ask the vet for a weight and body condition assessment during their yearly health check.
- Food: A joint-specific or senior-specific diet is recommended to prevent and control joint degradation in ageing pets, with specialised diets being prescribed for more advanced cases. There are several options available from your nearest vet store. The ingredients in joint support foods help to maintain healthy cartilage (which is important since cartilage cannot be reformed once it is worn away) and to promote synovial fluid production.
Medication
The aim of medical management is to control the pain and inflammation caused by the bones in the joint rubbing together. Once prescribed, medication often needs to be continued for life.
There are two main options:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), e.g. Rimadyl, Metacam. These daily-dosing drugs are highly effective for joint pain. However, they can have effects on the liver and kidneys in some animals. Blood tests are required before prescribing NSAIDs chronically, and a follow-up examination should be done, with blood tests run every six months. These checkups also aid in tailoring the treatment plan to your pet.
- Monoclonal antibodies, e.g. Librela (dogs), Solensia (cats). These are relatively new drugs on the market., They are very safe with few side-effects, and can also be more convenient than NSAIDs as they are only administered once a month via injection. They are excellent for controlling joint pain, but they are more expensive than NSAIDs.
Supplements
Rich in collagen, bone broth has traditionally been the go-to nutritional supplement to support joints. However, there are multiple ready-to-use nutritional joint supplements on the market today that contain a variety of natural ingredients such as collagen, krill powder, green-lipped mussel extract and egg shell membrane. These ingredients support the health of cartilage, promote joint capsule elasticity, and improve synovial fluid formation. Joint supplements are available in a variety of formulations, including palatable powders and tasty chews, and the amount you give will often depend on the size of your pet.
Adjunctive therapies
There is anecdotal evidence that alternative therapies can be effective in an arthritis management plan. Physiotherapy can help with joint mobility and stability by strengthening the muscles that support joints. Other therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic may help to stimulate pain-relieving neurochemical release, and promote optimal nerve function and blood flow, which can help to relieve joint pain. However, these therapies do not replace proper nutrition and medical management of the condition, and should not be used in isolation.
How can I prevent or delay the onset of arthritis in my pet?
As with any disease or condition, prevention is better than cure. Having your dog or cat on a good quality, veterinary-formulated diet is the best way to ensure they receive the correct nutrition to support growth and development in kitten- and puppyhood, maintain healthy bones and joints as adults, and slow the progression of arthritis as they get older.
A proper diet and regular exercise are essential to ensure that your pet maintains a healthy weight at each life stage, which supports joint health. The vet will check your pet’s weight at their annual health check and offer advice on weight management if your pet needs it. You can also consider proactively starting joint supplements in your older pet to help maintain joint health as they age.
By managing arthritis, many older pets affected by this condition can live happy, pain-free, mobile lives. If your furry friend is older than eight years of age, ask the vet for a pain assessment consultation to help determine if they are struggling with undiagnosed osteoarthritis pain.
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