As your dog enters their golden years, you might notice their once-bouncy steps slowing down or a bit of stiffness setting in — arthritis could be playing a part.

Osteoarthritis in dogs is common in older dogs, but while it’s a progressive condition, there’s plenty you can do to help them stay comfortable and happy. Your dog may not be keeping up with the young pups at the park, but with the right care, they can still enjoy an active, joyful life.

What causes arthritis in dogs?

Arthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis. Like humans, a dog has cartilage and synovial fluid that cushion their joints and act as a lubricant so their bones don’t grind together when they move.

When cartilage deteriorates and the synovial fluid loses its lubricating properties, the result is arthritis — painful inflammation, reduction in mobility and sometimes the growth of bone spurs.

Arthritis can be a natural result of aging, but can also be caused by ligament injury, repetitive stress or disease. Some large breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers, can be more prone to develop arthritis. Other factors that increase the risk of developing the disease include your pup’s genetics or hereditary conditions, like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.

The most common joints to be affected by arthritis are the hips, knees, elbows and shoulders, but it can affect any joint.

How can I tell if my dog has early signs of arthritis?

There are many different clinical signs of arthritis to look out for in your dog, beyond the telltale joint stiffness.

• Stiffness: You might notice your pup is slower on walks or lagging behind you. They may be unusually reluctant to get up or get going and their range of motion might be limited.

• Lameness: Limping or finding it difficult to bear weight on one or more painful arthritic limbs.

• Painful joints: If your pup is in pain, they will probably lick their joints to promote healing. They may avoid contact and affection or yelp when touched because the affected joints are very sensitive.

• Inflammation: Swollen or thickened joints are a key indicator of arthritis and may indicate excess fluid in the joint spaces.

• Muscle weakening: If your pup’s activity levels have decreased the muscles in their legs and back can develop atrophy. You may notice these parts of their body have become thinner and weaker.

• Weight gain: This can be due to a change in activity levels or age.

• Mood change: Has their normal happy temperament changed to become more easily irritated?

How can my dog’s diet help prevent or manage their joint issues naturally?

Food doesn’t just provide energy for your dog, it provides the essential ingredients for their health and bodily functions including their nervous, digestive and respiratory systems. Your pup’s hormone regulation and immune system are also reliant on a nutritious diet.

When managing your dog’s joint issues, consider a real food diet with ingredients that support cellular function and generation, and address inflammation.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Excess weight puts additional pressure on the joints, so weight management is vital.

Food should be calorie and portion-controlled. Your pup’s meals should be chock-full of nutritious ingredients to boost their health from the inside out.

If your pup is overweight or obese, your vet may recommend weight loss as part of your pup’s initial treatment program. Senior dogs can be more prone to weight gain as their metabolism slows — a tailored diet can help reduce joint stress.

Not sure if your dog is a healthy weight? Use Lyka’s body condition chart to understand your pup’s score and what it means.

A complete and balanced diet

Your pup’s diet should be complete and balanced, containing all the essential nutrients in the right amounts to support optimal health and wellbeing.

Every Lyka dish contains 100% human-grade, wholefood ingredients carefully selected by in-house Integrative Veterinarian, Dr. Matthew Muir, and Board-Certified Nutritionists. These fresh meals provide the right proportion of macro and micronutrients and your pup’s daily calorie content to help maintain a healthy weight. Plus, they’re truly drooly delicious!

Anti-inflammatory nutrients

Arthritis is often characterised by swollen and inflamed joints sensitive to touch. A diet that contains anti-inflammatory agents can support joint health and ease inflammation.

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are found in fatty fish and flaxseeds, known to help reduce inflammation and promote healthy joint cartilage.

Fish oil, sardines and flaxseed oil are all bursting with omega-3 anti-inflammatory goodness. Omega-6 is an important EFA in the diet too, but too much can cause inflammation.

Lyka meals have an optimum ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 between 3:1 and 3.6:1 to counteract the pro-inflammatory properties. The omega 6:3 ratio has been linked to “acute postprandial inflammatory response” — inflammation after eating, which can increase the risk of health conditions.

To avoid this, Lyka meals contain significantly higher levels of omega-3 to omega 6 than the AAFCO minimum omega 6:3 ratio of 30:1, as well as increased levels of natural vitamin E, to offset the higher requirements associated with a high omega-3 diet.

Antioxidants

Oxidative stress caused by free radicals plays a key role in age-related diseases like arthritis. A real food diet containing antioxidants and phytochemicals can help act against cellular damage and prevent joint issues from developing.

Vegetables and plant superfoods like turmeric, spirulina, shiitake mushrooms and fennel seeds have strong antioxidant and phytochemical properties.

They’re more readily digested and absorbed directly into your pup’s system because of their bioavailable properties, so we include them in our meals.

Supplements

Supplements are taken in addition to your dog’s meals and can boost their nutrition and target particular health concerns, including degenerative joint disease.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are the building blocks of cartilage. Dietary supplements that contain these ingredients are a good first step in addressing arthritis naturally, and can be easily purchased over the counter.

Look for supplements that include egg-shell membrane, which is a rich source of collagen, and the powerful anti-inflammatory, rosehip extract.

Green-lipped mussels are full of omega-3 fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties too, so this may be another natural arthritis treatment for dogs. It’s one excellent reason why we chose these mega-molluscs to be part of our nutritious range of air-dried treats. Mussel Munchies are one of the Lyka pack’s favourite lip-smacking single protein treats and great for pups with rusty joints.

Lyka’s Joint Supplement helps protect your dog against cartilage degradation and oxidative stress. Its collagen-rich recipe promotes healthy connective tissue and it’s bursting with natural wholefood antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to address mild joint stiffness.

How can I help my dog with arthritis?

Prevention is always preferred when it comes to physical health and wellbeing.

Although there is no cure for this degenerative disease, you can slow the progression of joint issues with effective management techniques.

Along with a balanced and complete diet and targeted supplements, here are some ways to help your dog.

1. Minimise their discomfort

Make sure they have a comfortable bed in a warm place away from cold draughts. Special orthopaedic beds can offer the right cushioning and support for arthritic joints.

2. Low-impact exercise or activities

Regular, low-impact exercise can help maintain muscle mass and keep your dog’s joints flexible without causing strain. Activities like short walks and swimming are excellent for dogs with arthritis, as they provide gentle movement without putting too much pressure on the joints. Swimming, in particular, allows your pup to move freely while reducing the impact on their joints, making it an ideal form of exercise for dogs with arthritis.
Physiotherapy is another way to improve your dog’s mobility. Working with a certified animal physiotherapist can help develop exercises to strengthen muscles around the joints, reduce pain, and improve range of motion. Your vet may recommend specific exercises tailored to your dog’s condition, ensuring they stay active without overexertion.

3. Support their mobility

Making a few small changes at home can significantly improve your dog’s comfort. Consider:

• Orthopedic beds: offer better support for sore joints, allowing your pup to rest without added pressure on their joints.

• Ramps: helps your dog avoid stairs and easily access beds or couches without jumping, which can strain their joints.

• Non-slip surfaces: adding rugs or mats on slippery floors will give your dog better traction and prevent falls or further joint injury.

• Accessible water and food bowls: elevating bowls can help ease neck, back, and joint discomfort.

4. Vet support

When it comes to arthritis, always consult your vet. Even if your dog is only showing mild signs of discomfort, early detection can help slow the progression of the disease. Your vet can monitor your dog’s joint health and adjust their treatment plan.

For more advanced cases, your vet may recommend physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, or acupuncture to support your dog’s mobility. Ongoing assessments ensure your pup’s treatment is tailored to their needs and provides the best chance of maintaining their quality of life.

A nutritious, balanced and complete diet is the foundation of good health for all dogs and can hinder the early onset of age-related diseases like tissue damage and inflamed joints.

Choose real food for healthier joints

At Lyka, we believe every dog deserves to live their healthiest and happiest life. While there isn’t a cure for arthritis, real food can minimise the effects of aging and help manage joint inflammation.

With bioavailable, human-grade ingredients, each Lyka meal is gently crafted by our expert team of veterinary nutritionists to provide essential nutrients and omega-fatty acids that help keep your dog moving comfortably.

Join our pack of thousands of healthy, happy dogs thriving on real food today.