Three Rivers Animal Hospital
Managing Osteoarthritis in Pets
A practical guide to recognizing arthritis pain, keeping pets moving comfortably, and building a long-term treatment plan.
Is Your Pet a Dog or Cat?
Choose your pet below to open species-specific osteoarthritis information.
Could Your Pet Be Showing Signs of Osteoarthritis?
Take a quick quiz first if you are not sure what changes to look for.
Osteoarthritis Signs Quiz
Check each change you have noticed at home.
🐕 Managing Osteoarthritis in Your Dog
Dogs with osteoarthritis may show obvious limping, but many show subtler changes first—slowing down, hesitating on stairs, taking longer to rise, avoiding jumping, or shortening their walks.
A dog does not have to cry or limp constantly to be uncomfortable.
🐾 Understanding Osteoarthritis in Your Dog
Osteoarthritis can begin earlier than many owners expect. The “OA by the ages” graphic above shows how signs may become more frequent and limiting as dogs age.
Normal vs. Arthritic Joint
Radiographs can show changes in joint shape and bone associated with osteoarthritis. In this canine hip comparison, the left side is a normal hip and the right side shows severe osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia.
Managing Your Dog’s Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is usually managed with several strategies working together. Choose a section below to explore the options in more detail.
🏠 Things to Help Your Pet be More Comfortable at Home
There are simple things that any dog owner can provide to a dog with OA that can help with comfort and mobility.
⚖️ Weight Control
By far the most critical aspect of OA management. Fat produces inflammatory mediators that perpetuate the inflammation process and increased body weight puts additional force on the joints.
In an ideal body weight, you should be able to:
- feel your dog’s ribs but not see them;
- see an hour-glass figure when viewed from above;
- see a tucked up belly when viewed from the side.
6 Exercises for Dogs with Osteoarthritis ↗
📋 My Dog’s Arthritis Plan
🧴 Supplements for Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine and Chondroitin — Dasuquin
These products, often referred to as chondroprotectants, contain cartilage components. By taking the components orally, the patient is able to have plenty of the necessary building blocks needed to repair damaged cartilage. It is also felt that these products may have some anti-inflammatory properties separate from their structural uses. Numerous products are available, but Dasuquin is the most recommended.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Certain dietary fats, typically from cold-water fish oils, have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. While this finding has primarily been used to treat itchy skin, many arthritic dogs and cats have benefited from it. While there are no toxic issues to be concerned with, these products require at least one month to build up adequate amounts. Effects are not usually dramatic but can be helpful.
Adequan Injections
Adequan is an injectable polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (mostly chondroitin sulfate), which serves not only as a cartilage component used in healing but as an actual anti-inflammatory agent. Adequan has numerous beneficial effects for the arthritis patient including the inhibition of harmful enzymes involving joint cartilage destruction, stimulation of cartilage repair, and increasing joint lubrication. Adequan is given as an injection and so is able to reach all joints, but it seems to have a special affinity for damaged joints.
Adequan is best given as a series of injections, twice a week or so until a response is seen but not exceeding eight injections. After an effect is seen, Adequan injections are given on an as needed basis.
💊 Treatments for Osteoarthritis
Librela®
Once-monthly injection Canine OA painOnce-a-month injections to help control pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Librela is a monoclonal antibody (mAb). It is a potent inhibitor of canine NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) activity, a key osteoarthritis pain mediator, thus reducing canine OA pain.
Librela binds to NGF, and its action helps to:
- Reduce canine osteoarthritis pain
- Limit the release of additional NGF and pro-inflammatory mediators
- Lower neurogenic inflammation
🔴 Cold Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy — Joint Disease Benefits
- Pain reduction
- Reduced markers of inflammation in the joint
- Reduced swelling and edema
- Increased joint mobility and function
- Stimulation of collagen synthesis
- Decreased dosage or frequency of pharmaceutical use for some patients with chronic disease
Laser Package Pricing
With laser packages, you can pay per session or buy a package.
$30
$150
Medication Therapy
NSAID Therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally used as a first line of defense against the pain of osteoarthritis.
Your veterinarian will determine if your dog is a good candidate for this class of medication.
Pain Medication Therapy
Gabapentin is a pain medication that addresses chronic pain differently from NSAIDs or corticosteroids, and can complement those medications. It provides another way to address the chronic nature of osteoarthritis pain and may be especially helpful when the patient is older or is not able to take an NSAID.
Acupuncture Therapy
🐾 How Acupuncture Helps with Osteoarthritis in Pets
- Pain Relief
Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin. It can also help alter pain signaling. - Reduces Inflammation
By improving blood flow and triggering the body’s natural healing response, acupuncture may help reduce inflammation in affected joints. - Improves Mobility
Some pets show better range of motion and flexibility after treatment, helping them move more comfortably and stay active. - Enhances Circulation
Increased blood flow to stiff or damaged areas helps bring oxygen and nutrients to tissues and supports joint health. - Muscle Relaxation & Spasm Relief
Acupuncture may help relax tense muscles around sore joints, reducing strain and improving comfort. - Supports Overall Wellbeing
Some pet owners notice their pets seem more comfortable, energetic, and engaged after treatment.
What Does a Session Look Like?
- Tiny, sterile needles are placed at specific acupuncture points.
- Sessions usually last 15–30 minutes.
- Most pets tolerate treatment very well, and some even become sleepy during a session.
🐈 Managing Osteoarthritis in Your Cat
Using supplements such as joint supplements and omega-three fatty acids can help as first options to help manage your pet’s osteoarthritis.
Treatments such as Solensia, laser therapy and medications can help manage your pet’s symptoms of osteoarthritis.
🏠 Things to Help Your Pet be More Comfortable at Home
There are simple things that any cat owner can provide to a cat with OA that can help with comfort and mobility.
⚖️ Weight Control
By far the most critical aspect of OA management. Fat produces inflammatory mediators that perpetuate the inflammation process, and increased body weight puts additional force on the joints.
In an ideal body weight, you should be able to:
- feel your cat’s ribs but not see them;
- see an hour-glass figure when viewed from above;
- see a tucked-up belly when viewed from the side.
📚 More Cat Arthritis Resources
For additional education about recognizing and managing arthritis in cats:
Helping Cats Live Longer Lives | Cat Arthritis Resources & Education ↗📋 My Cat’s Arthritis Plan
🧴 Supplements for Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine and Chondroitin — Dasuquin
These products, often referred to as chondroprotectants, contain cartilage components. By taking the components orally, the patient is able to have plenty of the necessary building blocks needed to repair damaged cartilage. It is also felt that these products may have some anti-inflammatory properties separate from their structural uses. Numerous products are available, but Dasuquin is the most recommended.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Certain dietary fats, typically from cold-water fish oils, have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. While this finding has primarily been used to treat itchy skin, many arthritic dogs and cats have benefited from it. While there are no toxic issues to be concerned with, these products require at least one month to build up adequate amounts. Effects are not usually dramatic but can be helpful.
💊 Treatments for Osteoarthritis
Solensia®
Once-monthly injection Feline OA painSolensia is a once-monthly, injectable monoclonal antibody therapy for the control of feline osteoarthritis (OA) pain.
- Targets nerve growth factor (NGF) to control pain
- Controls the pain of OA in cats, helping to improve mobility, comfort, and well-being
- Functions like naturally occurring antibodies and is eliminated through normal protein degradation pathways, with minimal involvement of the liver or kidneys
🔴 Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy — Joint Disease Benefits
- Pain reduction
- Reduced markers of inflammation in the joint
- Reduced swelling and edema
- Increased joint mobility and function
- Stimulation of collagen synthesis
- Decreased dosage or frequency of pharmaceutical use for some patients with chronic disease
NSAID Therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally used as a first line of defense against the pain of osteoarthritis.
Your veterinarian will determine if your cat is a good candidate for this class of medication.
Pain Medication Therapy
Gabapentin is a pain medication that addresses chronic pain differently from NSAIDs or corticosteroids, and complements those medications. It provides a way to address the chronic nature of osteoarthritis pain and may be especially helpful when the patient is older and not able to take an NSAID.
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