
Author TB Thompson DVM has been a licensed, practicing veterinarian since 2000.
As our dogs enter their senior years many experience the stealthy onset of arthritis, a condition that can significantly impact their quality of life. As a veterinarian, I’ve spent over 20 years refining my understanding of treatments to ease the discomfort of arthritis in dogs.
After managing chronic joint pain in my senior dog patients, I’ve noticed that a multifaceted approach brings the best results. But with so many treatments available, where should you start?
This article will provide an overview of new and old treatments available for dogs with arthritis pain. However, you shouldn’t attack this problem alone. Your veterinarian is your best ally to assess your dog’s needs and find solutions to keep them going strong.
KEY POINTS
- Dogs tend to have a better quality of life when they receive multiple types of treatment for arthritis.
- OA treatments span a spectrum from basic to advanced and experimental.
- Your veterinarian can guide you to the treatments that are most likely to help your dog.
Understanding Arthritis in Senior Dogs
Researchers have estimated that nearly one in five dogs experience the aches and pains of arthritis as they age. (1) This condition primarily results from the wear and tear of joint cartilage, leading to stiffness and pain. While aging is a common cause, factors like genetics, past injuries, or weight can also contribute.
Common Arthritis Symptoms in Dogs
- Decreased Activity: Is your senior dog less interested in walks or play?
- Movement Difficulties: Do they limp, or struggle to stand up or lie down?
- Pain Response: Are they sensitive when touched on certain spots?
How to Navigate Treatments for Dog Arthritis
Treatments for dog arthritis span a spectrum of intensity. Your veterinarian will gauge the severity of your dog’s disease and pain when choosing treatments. Although the method varies, the goal of canine OA treatments is to decrease pain and improve mobility.
With so many treatments available, it can be confusing to understand where you should start with your dog. Let’s start by discussing the most common recommendations made for dogs with only mild to moderate symptoms.

Level 1:
This is where most veterinarians start for dogs with mild degenerative joint disease. Dogs with arthritis of any severity can usually benefit from:
- Weight Optimization: This is probably the most important aspect of treating arthritis. Achieving a lean body condition is ideal. However, a study from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School found dogs may have symptom improvement with as little as 6.1% weight loss. (2)
- Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These include carprofen, meloxicam, deracoxib and firocoxib. These are usually in an oral pill form to be given once or twice a day. NSAIDs reduce inflammation and relieve arthritis pain. They can be used long-term with close supervision.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: This special nutrient is found in high concentrations in fish oil. Omega-3 FA joint supplement reduces inflammation and protects joints from further damage. The dosage needed to treat joint pain is higher than for other indications. Researchers have found that prescription dog food with high levels of omega-3 is also effective. (3)
- Injectable Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGs) (Adequan®): An injection that contains substances similar to those present in healthy cartilage. It is thought to act by slowing down the damage to the joints and encouraging the repair of joint tissues. The result is less pain and better mobility. In my experience, its effects may last 2-8 weeks.
Level 2:
Sometimes level 1 therapies are not enough to keep a dog with OA comfortable. These additional treatments are often used with level 1 therapies but may be used alone in some cases. They’re well-tolerated by most dogs and considered to be relatively low-risk therapies.
- Pain Medications: May include gabapentin, tramadol or amantadine. These work with other medications to lower pain symptoms in the nervous system.
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation: Specially trained veterinarians analyze and treat dog mobility problems. They use muscle-building exercises, stretching, massage, and hydrotherapy. Over time, physical therapy can significantly decrease pain and increase function.
Level 3:
When pain persists despite level 1 and 2 treatments, more aggressive options may help. The following therapies have a higher risk and often require care from a specialist. But they can be extremely helpful in the right cases.
- Surgery: Total hip, knee and elbow replacement can provide lifelong pain relief. The drawbacks: an invasive procedure that can be costly and require months of recovery time.
- Cortisone Joint Injections: These are sometimes used even though they can destroy cartilage tissue in the long term. They may be used in cases where other treatments are too expensive or can’t be done for other reasons. Effects may last a few months.
- Hyaluronic Acid Joint Injections: HA is a synthetic version of a substance found in joint fluid. It can restore joint health in dogs by promoting natural joint fluid production and reducing inflammation. Effects last 4-6 months.
New and Experimental Canine Arthritis Therapies
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Veterinarians have embraced medical technology inspired by human medicine. Regenerative medicine can actually repair damaged joint tissue. Other strategies block pain at its inception or provide tissue improvements within the joint space. Veterinary orthopedic doctors and sports medicine specialists are the most likely to provide treatments from this list.
- Regenerative Therapies (Stem Cell Therapy, Platelet-Rich Plasma): Regenerative medicine uses a dog’s own specially prepared cells to fix damaged tissues and reduce arthritis pain. (4, 5) While it shows a lot of promise, veterinarians are still figuring out the best ways to use it and how well it works in the long run. Effects last 6-9 months.
- Radioactive Joint Injections (Synovetin OA): A joint injection that contains a radioactive molecule that reduces joint inflammation. It has been tested in clinical trials and shown to effectively reduce pain and improve the movement of dogs with elbow arthritis. Symptom relief can last up to 12 months.
- Cushioning Joint Injections (ArthramidVet, Spryng): These use a gel injected into a dog’s arthritic joint that creates a protective layer over damaged cartilage. It relieves pain and helps the joint move smoothly. Symptom relief can last months to years.
Alternative Therapies
There are many other therapies available for dog arthritis. Some that I have listed have less evidence to support their use. Still, many dog owners feel they’ve seen improvements with these alternative therapies.
A word of caution: talk to your veterinarian before spending money on supplements or unproven therapies. The fact that one dog owner swears by it is not enough to prove its safety of effectiveness.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. It may relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility. Needles are left in place for about 5-30 minutes. Sessions are typically repeated weekly to monthly.
- Laser Therapy: Cold laser light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin and stimulate healing. It helps reduce pain and inflammation and promotes tissue repair. This leads to improved mobility and comfort for the dog. (6)
- Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF, Assisi Loop): Uses electromagnetic signals to deliver a micro-current to damaged tissue. PEMF enhances the production of the body’s anti-inflammatory molecule, nitric oxide, aiding in cellular repair and pain relief.
- Shock Wave Therapy: Uses a device to generate high-intensity acoustic waves through body tissues. This promotes healing by increasing blood flow, stimulating collagen production and reducing inflammation. This treatment helps restore normal function and relieve pain. It typically involves a few short sessions with the dog under sedation. (7)
How I Treat Dogs with Arthritis
In my years of treating dogs with early osteoarthritis, I’ve observed significant benefits from NSAIDs and omega-3-rich diets.
As dogs age and their condition progresses, we focus more on weight management and may introduce Adequan injections. Sometimes we refer to specialists for advanced treatments like Synovetin OA, which can markedly improve a dog’s life.
When specialist care isn’t feasible, we enhance medication regimens with amantadine, gabapentin, and other analgesics. We may recommend supportive therapies like acupuncture and physical therapy.
My personal experience with my senior dogs has shown me the value of a multifaceted approach. Incorporating various treatments worked best to maintain their comfort and quality of life. This strategy has consistently proven more effective than relying on a single treatment.
Helpful Resources
If you’re interested in trying these therapies, start by consulting your veterinarian. They may refer you to a specialist for more advanced and focused treatment.
- American College of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation find a board-certified specialist in canine sports medicine.
- American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians find a veterinarian who provides rehabilitation therapy.
- Senior Dog Care Club is a Facebook support group for caretakers of elderly dogs.