Arthritis in Dogs: What to Look For

If you’re a dog owner, then you know, there’s nothing as satisfying as the greeting from your perfect pooch after a long day’s work. However, if for some reason your dog doesn’t greet you like they used to, this may be alarming and a red flag. It may not be for the reason of not wanting to; it could be that your pup may be silently crying out for help and suffering from a very common condition dogs get as they age. Arthritis and joint pain are becoming more and more common in dogs over the age of eight years, especially in specific types of breeds. In general, the larger the breed of dog, the more likely they are to suffer from joint pain, and the earlier you need to start preventative measures.
Dog Breeds Prone to Arthritis:
- German Shepherds
- Golden Retrievers
- Labrador Retrievers
- Pitbulls
- Rottweilers
- Mastiffs
- Great Danes
- Dachshunds
- Newfoundlands
- St. Bernards
Dog’s are experts at hiding their pain and will try their hardest to keep their suffering a secret. If you have not yet noticed any signs of joint pain, you’re very lucky, as most dogs will be affected by the condition at some point in their lives. The best time to take action is before symptoms are present. Luckily, there are signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for:
Decreased Energy
If you notice your dog’s overall energy levels have significantly and suddenly decreased, your dog may be experiencing inflammation in their joints. For example: difficulty in rising, jumping or being active is the most often cited sign by pet owners.
Gait Change/Stiffness/Limping
Limping and changes in your dog’s gait, whether it’s while getting up, going up steps, or during a walk, are all signs that your dog may be having joint pain, muscle spasms, or inflammation.
Licking, Chewing or Biting
Pay attention to where your dog is licking or grooming themselves. Excessive attention in one area of the body might be a result of joint pain. Also, If your dog has become irritable in certain areas of their body, they may be suffering from hidden pain.
Depression/Irritability
If your dog is experiencing changes in their personality or becoming grumpy when petted in certain areas, arthritis could be the culprit.
Weight Gain
Obesity is often an indirect sign of joint discomfort, as dogs become less active due to pain. If you notice they aren’t wanting to walk, play or move around in general, weight gain is common but can make arthritis even worse.

Arthritis is defined as painful inflammation and stiffness in the joints. There are several different types of arthritis that can affect dogs, but the most common is osteoarthritis — also known as degenerative joint disease. As dogs age, the cartilage in their joints begins to thin. This cartilage serves to cushion and protect the bones in the joint, and if it thins too much, the bones can rub against each other and break down. The resulting friction causes pain and loss of mobility. The most common locations are the hips, elbows, knees, wrists, shoulders, ankles, and lower back.
With knowing all of this, attempts should be made to help slow down the degeneration of the joint and repair the loss of the cartilage. Keeping your dog mobile, healthy and happy all play a significant role in preventing this orthopedic condition. There are a variety of supplements, exercises and approaches recommended to manage this disease and get to the root of the cause. Fortunately, with these growing times, research and solutions are being provided for the common dog owner to help keep their dogs healthy. We all want what’s best for our faithful fur-children, and we will go above and beyond to help them in any way. Here are our recommended strategies for managing your dog’s arthritis and joint pain:
Healthy Diet
Making sure to feed your dog quality food which aids in their overall health goes hand in hand with keeping orthopedic conditions at bay. Along with proper nutrition, keeping them hydrated with fresh and clean water is also very important for their physical health.
Consistent, Safe Exercise
Different breeds need different levels of exercise. Low impact, consistent walks are good for both your dog and yourself. Hydrotherapy is a wonderful solution for dogs with mobility issues. Not only does swimming keep their mental, cardiac and respiratory systems healthy, it will also keep their bones, joints and muscles strong to ensure overall wellness.
Canine Massage
For dogs suffering from joint issues, a massage can go along way to help relieve tension and increase flexibility. Make sure to take your dog to a certified professional and pay attention your dog’s response to their massage.
Canine Acupuncture
Acupuncture is often used to treat dogs with arthritis and joint inflammation. For example, dogs with hip dysplasia or degenerative joint disease are good candidates for acupuncture, which may alleviate pain and improve joint range of motion. Dogs with chronic back pain and even dogs with serious spinal cord conditions also benefit from acupuncture.
Supportive & Comfortable Bedding
Please do not skimp on your dog’s bed. Investing in bedding with padding, firmness and support for their entire body is critical as they age. This will provide relief for them and improve their quality of life.
Supplementation
A good quality joint supplement, fish oil, and pet hemp oil for dogs is what we recommend for dogs who have an inflammatory condition. These are a natural alternative to pain medication, with no harmful side effects and no psychoactive alterations. Turmeric supplements are also great for keeping inflammation at bay, but please, always consult your Vet before starting your pet on any new supplements. You can place your pets order for hemp oil through our website by clicking here.

Let’s strive to support fit, structurally sound dogs and maintain them with excellent nutrition. This mixed with age and breed appropriate exercise keeping them at optimal body weights and beginning supplemental integrative therapies early or when they show symptoms of inflammation, pain and arthritis. Always consult with a knowledgeable veterinarian or holistic care provider before supplementing. All dogs are different, as well as their needs.
About Dip’ n Dogs Hydrotherapy – Orlando, FL
At Dip’n Dogs Hydrotherapy, we are certified and caring professionals devoted to restoring and enhancing the health and happiness of your beloved pup. Encompassing a pool, as well as a certified hydrotherapist, this can provide effective and long lasting results for your pet’s injury or illness. We are conveniently located in Winter Park, FL. Contact us today at (407) 227-0030. Our Services include the following: Outdoor Hydrotherapy and In-Home Mobile Therapy for dogs. We look forward to hearing from you!

What Our Clients Are Saying
Rachel is extremely kind, gentle and motivational towards animals. She provides quality individual attention.
What a great way to help your animal!Chase Milner March 20, 2018
"My Lab mix Tucker, is a new client of Dip'n Dogs. After just a few assisted swims with Rachel, we have seen great results with his weight loss and overall behavior. Rachel is fun and motivating when in the water and Tucker really loves his weekly swim session!"
Patrick Haggerty March 22, 2018
"Rachel is amazing! The changes in Blu’s overall physical health have been worth every effort. I recommend hydrotherapy for any dog’s overall fitness health."
Jennifer Corso Leonard April 29, 2018
"Rachel is wonderful with our fur baby Bella. We were told by Bella’s vet that she needed to lose some weight and we are already seeing results! Bella may not be the easiest client (very much a diva) but Rachel is so patient and gentle with her. Bella is a mix of husky and German Shepherd so we want to keep her fit to prevent conditions that are common with those breeds."
Kaela Rebecca April 30, 2018
"Our little Yorkie Jack has arthritis and our vet recommended trying hydrotherapy. Jack is a yipper but remains calm with Rachel! After his sessions, we do see Jack go up the two steps he usually avoids, with less hesitation and his walking seems easier! Thank you Rachel!"
Joni Browder April 30, 2018
"Our 11 year-old Yorkie just started hydrotherapy for his arthritis. Since starting, he’s a little more agile, and goes upstairs with more ease! Thanks Rachel for all you do and your extra TLC with our little Jack!"
Caitlin Browder May 5, 2018
My beagle, Badger, is overweight (like many beagles are) but I wasn’t too worried because we would go for long walk/runs to keep him healthy. BUT, his hips began to hurt and he wouldn’t walk for more than just a few minutes. I was worried he would become obese! I found Dip’n Dogs online and signed Badger up for hydrotherapy with Rachel. Not only is he almost back to normal with our walks but he has lost a bit of weight! The swims have definitely benefited him. Rachel is kind, patient and very flexible with scheduling appointments. Plus, her package deals help with the cost. I highly recommend her services. Both Badger and I are much happier than we were a month or so ago!”
Camille King July 12, 2018
“Jack’s mobility has benefited from the swimming sessions in a short time. I appreciate the patience and care Rachel has shown with our 17 year old Jack Russell. He needs special attention and she always gives him terrific assistance. I wish we had known about hydrotherapy earlier in his life. I know he would be in even better shape than he is now.”
Seth Miller July 12, 2018
"Hope is getting her second session of water therapy to help with her arthritis in her spine and legs and build her leg muscles back up! Maria and I love her trainer Rachel!"
Andrea Ruiz-Hays July 17, 2018
"Rachel has been awesome and I would most definitely recommend her!! My 12 year old beagle recently had knee surgery and she reached out to me through social media to let me know about her services. When it came time for him to start hydrotherapy as part of his recovery I contacted Rachel and set up an appointment. She was very responsive to messages and easy to get a hold of to set up our first appointment. After our first session my beagle started walking better and showing improvement in his healing process. I decided to buy a 4 session pack from her and taking him to see her weekly. Since we have started, his mobility has improved after each session and he gets around better than ever."
Caitlyn Canada July 17, 2018
"Rachel became certified in canine hydrotherapy through the certification program we offer through The Canine Fitness Institute. Since then, she has been working with dogs daily and I've seen her skills and competence grow by leaps and bounds. She opened her own business in 2018 - Dip N Dogs Canine Hydrotherapy and is doing a great job helping a wide variety of dogs regain strength after surgery, lose weight, become more mobile even though they have arthritis, and more. To further her knowledge, she continues to study and research a variety of orthopedic conditions that routinely affect dogs. She is very personable and her clients love her and the care she gives their dogs. If your dog can benefit from the incredible healing effects of hydrotherapy, I recommend you give Rachel a call."
Sherri Cappabianca July 17, 2018
"Jack was always extremely active throughout his life. Now at 17 plus years, he isn’t able to walk as well as we would like, due to arthritis and atrophy from age a medications he has taken. The hydrotherapy treatments with Rachel have made such a difference. They have helped him maintain his mobility and gain additional strength. Jack swims twice a week with Rachel. He swims very hard and I think he enjoys the mobility in the water that he no longer has on land. I wish we had known about hydrotherapy and Rachel earlier. I don’t think it is ever to early to start your dog swimming. I know would be in even better shape now than he is, if we had started him sooner. I highly recommend Rachel to work with your pet. She always has Jack’s best interest in mind and we certainly appreciate that."
Carrie Miller September 10, 2018
"Rachel is a pro when it comes to helping our dog Ellie feel comfortable during her swimming session. She has a kind nature towards animals and is really good at what she does. I'm glad we found out about her business. I highly recommend her services for your pet's well being."
Andy Schifaro September 10, 2018
"Rachel's calm, confident approach had our dog very comfortable."
Tracy Robinson September 10, 2018
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Our vet was very happy with Griffins weight at his last check up this past week. They were happy that he had not gained any as many dogs do after being neutered. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel! she is a true dog lover."
Sara Palmer September 10, 2018
"Rachel was wonderful with my Dusty who had an FHO done on his right hip but his left hip is not so good either. As of right now his right has healed wonderfully and his left hip is holding strong! I believe it is because of hydrotherapy with Rachel. Dusty had his surgery in March and I can’t go fast enough for him on his walks! I might need some hydrotherapy myself!"
Terrie Sandefur October 3, 2018
"Rachel seems to see and love my Hannah's Spirit. Hannah recently said goodbye, for now, to Hazel, her litter mate and twin. Needing some fun new experiences and with a recent arthritis diagnosis, Dip'n Dogs was a nice adventure. Hannah enjoys the pool. Seems a natural swimmer. And Rachel has a good positive energy!"
Gwen Hartmann October 4, 2018
"Rachel is a caring and experienced dog guardian and is one of my dog, Maisie’s, favorite people. I highly recommend Dip'n Dogs!"
Marcia Caton February 18, 2019
"Sophie doesn't love the pool but Rachel was so great with her that Sophie was giving her kisses by the end! I'm so excited about Sophie continuing her hydrotherapy!"
Katlyn Billue February 18, 2019
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Our vet was very happy with Griffins weight at his last check up this past week. They were happy that he had not gained any as many dogs do after being neutered. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel! she is a true dog lover."
Sara Palmer February 18, 2019
"Guinness and I are so happy that we met Rachel. She is super nice, gentle, patient and knows how to make Guinness comfortable in the pool, because he gets soo nervous. She is helping Guiness get back on his leg after a luxating patella injury. Right now he is doing great and starting to put his leg down when walking. I would definitely recommend Rachel- best hydrotherapy
:) and she does a great job in the pool. Thank you Rachel!"
Noelia Cocco February 18, 2019
"From the instant that I met Rachel, I felt comfortable with her and would have trusted her with any of my dogs. She came and worked with my senior, blind Shih Tzu this summer. My Millicent has arthritis, bad skin, allergies and had recently developed a heart murmur. Rachel made sure to go over Millie’s health history with me and was very aware of how Millie was doing the whole time she worked with her. It is great exercise for an old, lazy dog!"
Kristi Klein February 18, 2019