Medications and Home Remedies to Help Your Dog’s Arthritis
Key takeaways:
Arthritis is a common condition in dogs that affects the joints and worsens with age. Symptoms include stiffness while walking and difficulty standing.
If your dog develops arthritis, weight management, exercise, and physical therapy can help them stay healthy and reduce inflammation in their affected joints.
There are pain medications, supplements, and other alternative therapies that can help you safely manage your dog’s pain and help restore their mobility.
Arthritis is a condition that gets worse over time and can’t be reversed or cured. Arthritis pain can make it difficult for dogs to get up from a sleeping position, climb stairs, or go for long walks.
If your dog develops arthritis, there are medications and other treatments that can ease their symptoms. Keep reading to learn how you can help your dog with arthritis feel better.
Which medications can relieve arthritis pain in dogs?
There are several medications that can help relieve arthritis pain for dogs. All of these require a prescription from a veterinarian.
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Keep in mind over-the-counter human pain medications should never be given to dogs. They can make dogs very sick or even cause death.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary medications used to help relieve dogs’ arthritis pain. They work by blocking compounds in a dog’s body that lead to inflammation and pain. Some NSAIDs commonly prescribed for dogs include:
With other therapies — like weight management and supplements — it can take weeks to see improvement. But NSAIDs work quickly to relieve pain.
NSAIDs do come with potential side effects, including kidney and liver issues. Your veterinarian may do routine blood work to monitor for these effects.
Other pain relievers
NSAIDs can become less effective at treating a dog’s pain over time. So your veterinarian may prescribe your dog supplementary pain relievers such as:
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These pain relievers don’t slow down the progression of arthritis like NSAIDs do. They only help relieve pain associated with the disease, which can help dogs who need the extra relief. Since these medications can cause drowsiness, your veterinarian will work with you to find the right dosage for your dog.
Arthritis injections
In May 2023, the FDA approved a new treatment for arthritis in dogs called Librela (bedinvetmab injection). This medication works by binding with a protein that researchers believe is associated with arthritis pain in dogs. By doing this, Librela prevents the protein from telling a dog’s brain that they’re in pain.
Librela is given via injection by a veterinarian. It’s most effective when given once a month. Librela’s potential side effects include:
Urinary tract infections
Bacterial skin infections
Skin irritation
Rash
Injection site pain
Vomiting
Weight loss
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What about natural pain remedies for arthritis in dogs?
If you suspect that your dog has arthritis, the first thing you should do is consult your veterinarian. They will be able to confirm the diagnosis and then help you figure out next steps.
The goal of any treatment for arthritis is to minimize pain, prevent more damage between the joints, and improve movement. Sometimes, it takes several different treatments to give a dog relief.
Medication is commonly used to treat arthritis in dogs. But there are many other forms of therapy that can be helpful. Below are a variety of ways you can help your dog with arthritis.
Supplements
Joint supplements may help a dog’s body rebuild cartilage and slow down damage. Some supplements can also increase fluid to the joints and may have some anti-inflammatory properties. With supplements, it can take up to 6 weeks to see signs of improvement in your dog.
Your veterinarian may also recommend including fish oil in your dog’s diet. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have been shown to reduce inflammation in joints affected by arthritis.
Another supplement option is polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), given as joint injections. PSGAG helps heal damaged cartilage and has anti-inflammatory properties. Its effects tend to be faster and last longer than pill supplements.
If your dog doesn’t improve after about 6 weeks of treatment with PSGAG, your veterinarian may stop the injections and try another option. Other joint injections used to treat arthritis in dogs include:
Platelet-rich plasma
Stem cell therapy
Steroids
Hyaluronic acid
Your veterinarian will provide guidance about your dog’s best options.
Weight management
If your dog is overweight or obese, your veterinarian will recommend they lose the excess weight to help with their symptoms. Too much weight can put more stress on joints and muscles. And extra body fat can also increase joint inflammation.
Even if your dog isn’t overweight, exercise and good nutrition is important for keeping them at a healthy size. Your veterinarian can inform you of your dog’s ideal weight based on their breed and size.
Exercise
Low-impact exercises — like short walks and swimming — are great for dogs with arthritis. These exercises help keep a dog’s muscles strong and improve their joint health. And they can even increase energy levels and interest in activities.
Frequent, short walks throughout the day are better than long ones. If your dog shows signs of improvement with short walks, you can slowly increase the duration of their walks or introduce a new activity. If your dog enjoys doing high-impact activities — such as chasing a ball — it’s best to warm them up with a walk first.
Physical therapy
You may also opt to enter your dog into a certified physical rehabilitation program. These programs establish goals based on dogs’ needs and how much owners want to try to improve their pet’s mobility.
Physical therapy programs are generally supervised by professionals who make sure dogs are meeting their goals. But your dog’s practitioner might teach you how to perform certain exercises at home, as well.
Activities done in a rehabilitation program can include:
Stretching
Performing range-of-motion exercises
Walking through and around obstacles in a controlled manner
Swimming
Using underwater treadmills
Your dog’s physical therapy regimen may be adjusted as time goes on, if they improve or need another area of focus.
Hands-on techniques
Your veterinarian may teach you some hands-on techniques to help your dog at home. These techniques can help with pain, flexibility, and range of motion. They include:
Massage: You can use massage to help warm up and prepare your dog for exercises like walking. It may also help reduce their pain.
Stretching: Stretching can increase muscle flexibility around joints affected by arthritis.
Manipulating joints: Manually moving your dog’s joints can have many benefits, such as improving blood flow, range of motion, and stability. It may also help decrease pain.
Be sure to perform these techniques as instructed by your veterinarian.
Heat and cold therapy
You can apply an ice packs to your dog’s affected joints after they exercise or if they seem particularly stiff. But be sure to wrap the ice packs in a towel to provide a barrier between them and your dog’s skin. Always remove ice packs and keep them out of your dog’s reach when you’re done.
Heat — like from a warm towel — can help relax the muscles around your dog’s joints, improve their flexibility, and decrease their pain. These effects can be beneficial before exercise.
Laser therapy
Some dogs might find further pain relief with alternative treatments like laser therapy. This technique uses a beam of light to penetrate tissue that’s affected by arthritis. It may reduce inflammation and swelling while increasing your dog’s mobility.
Acupuncture
During acupuncture treatment, small needles are placed in specific locations on a dog’s body. This technique can decrease inflammation and pain and increase nerve function.
Shockwave treatment
This technique transmits sound waves into joints affected by arthritis. It can reduce inflammation and pain and promote tissue healing.
Electrical stimulation
During electrical stimulation, low-level electrical currents are applied to affected joints with gel patches. There are two types of electrical stimulation, which give different results:
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) decreases pain.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) increases strength in muscles surrounding the affected joints.
Consult your veterinarian to find out if your dog might benefit from adding one of these therapies to their arthritis treatment plan.
Does my dog need surgery for arthritis?
If your dog’s arthritis symptoms don’t improve with other treatments, surgery may be your best option. Depending on the cause and location of your dog’s arthritis, surgery can restore stability and slow down the progression of their condition.
If your dog’s arthritis is due to an injury — such as a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear — surgery may be the only way to repair the issue and improve mobility.
Symptoms of arthritis in dogs
Some common symptoms of arthritis in dogs are:
Stiffness while walking
Difficulty with getting up and down
Being less active
Having less interest in playing or walking
Worsening stiffness after overexertion
Swelling around joints
Decreased range of motion when walking
The bottom line
Arthritis is a common condition in dogs as that affects the joints and worsens with age. Stiffness and difficulty getting up and down are some of the most common signs of arthritis in dogs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and supplements can help with pain related to arthritis. Other strategies — like weight management, exercise, and physical therapy — can help reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
Alternative treatments, like laser therapy and acupuncture, may also be beneficial for your pup. But, sometimes, the best option to improve mobility is surgery.
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References
Brooks, W. (2023). Medications for degenerative arthritis in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. (n.d.). Arthritis management and prevention. Colorado State University.
Lundgren, B. (2019). Arthritis in dogs and cats: What can be done? Veterinary Partner.
Riley, E. (2021). Physical rehabilitation for arthritis in dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Silva, N. E. O. F., et al. (2017). Effect of acupuncture on pain and quality of life in canine neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. The Canadian Veterinary Journal.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA approves first monoclonal antibody for dogs with osteoarthritis pain.
