Pet osteoarthritis is when join tissue gets worn away resulting in inflammation, decreased mobility, and is a leading cause of chronic pain in pets. Nearly 40% of dogs and cats suffer from osteoarthritis (OA) pain but less than half are diagnosed.¹ While we normally associate arthritis with older pets, a recent study has shown that nearly 25% of dogs under the age of four have signs of OA pain.²

Identifying the signs of OA pain in dogs and cats

Dogs and cats are very good at hiding pain and often we can miss it. By the time they “tell us” they are suffering, it can already be severe. Canine Arthritis Management produced this video that illustrates how our pets may suffer in silence.

Here are the signs to look for that may indicate some level of OA pain is present:

• Limping after exercise or pausing during play

• Sensitive during grooming, petting, or when being held

• A reluctance to walk or lagging behind on walks

• Slow to rise

• Difficulty jumping up or down, including onto the bed, furniture—for cats, it's no longer enjoying higher places where they used to go

• Feeling stiff

• Hesitancy or trouble with stairs

• Aggression

Still not sure? Take the Dog or Cat OA Pain Checklist quiz to see if they could be showing signs of OA.

What you can do if your pet is experiencing OA pain

Pain is a major reason for elective euthanasia for pets of any age, but it doesn’t have to be if their pain can be reduced. Thankfully, osteoarthritis pain can be treated with safe and effective medications which vastly improve their quality of life. These include anti-inflammatories or monoclonal antibodies designed specifically to control pain caused by OA.

If you think your pet may be experiencing any level of pain, see your veterinarian so they can help figure out the case and best treatment.

Find Pet Care Now >

^{1 – Wright A et al. J Small Anim Pract. 2022;63(8):609-618. doi:10.1111/jsap.13500}

^{2 – Enomoto, Masataka, et al. “Prevalence of Radiographic Appendicular Osteoarthritis and Associated Clinical Signs in Young Dogs.” Scientific Reports, vol.14, no1.3 Feb 2024. https://doi.org/10.10138/s41598-024-52324-9.}