Arthritis is common in older dogs and cats and causes stiffness, slowing down, and reluctance to jump or climb stairs. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Weight control, gentle activity, home adjustments, and veterinary care can greatly improve your senior pet’s comfort and quality of life.
As pets grow older, many owners notice them slowing down and assume it is simply age. Often, though, that stiffness has a name: arthritis. This gradual wearing of the joints is one of the most common causes of pain in senior dogs and cats, and it frequently goes unrecognised because pets are so good at hiding discomfort. For families across South Surrey, White Rock, and Ocean Park, understanding the signs means you can help your companion stay comfortable and active for longer.
What arthritis is and why it develops
Arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, happens when the smooth cartilage that cushions a joint breaks down over time. Bones begin to rub, the joint becomes inflamed, and movement turns painful. It develops most often with age, but it can also follow an old injury, a joint abnormality, or the extra strain that excess weight places on the body. Both dogs and cats are affected, though the signs can look quite different between them.
Signs your pet may be in pain
Because pets rarely cry out, arthritis often shows up as subtle changes in how they move and behave. Watch for signs that may include:
- Stiffness after rest, or difficulty rising, especially in the morning
- Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or get onto the sofa or bed
- Slowing down on walks, or lagging behind
- Limping, or a change in the way your pet walks
- Licking at a joint, or muscle loss over the hips and back legs
- In cats, reduced grooming, hiding, or no longer leaping to favourite perches
- Irritability or reluctance to be touched in certain spots
Cats are especially skilled at masking pain, so changes in a cat can be very quiet. If you notice any of these signs, it is worth a conversation with your veterinary team rather than putting it down to age.
How arthritis is diagnosed
Diagnosis begins with a careful physical exam, where your veterinarian gently feels the joints, checks range of motion, and watches how your pet moves. From there, diagnostics such as X-rays can reveal the changes within a joint and help rule out other causes. Because arthritis is a long-term condition, an accurate picture helps the team build a management plan that fits your individual pet.
Managing arthritis and keeping pets comfortable
Arthritis cannot be reversed, but there is a great deal that can be done to ease it. Management usually combines several approaches, tailored by your veterinarian:
- Keeping your pet at a healthy weight to reduce load on the joints
- Prescribed pain relief and anti-inflammatory care, used only under veterinary guidance
- Joint-support diets and supplements where appropriate
- Gentle, regular, low-impact activity to maintain muscle and mobility
- Physical therapies or other options your veterinarian may suggest
The medical services team can put together a plan that suits your pet’s needs, and weight management is often the single most powerful step. A nutrition consultation can help if your senior pet is carrying extra weight.
Simple changes at home
Small adjustments around the house make daily life easier for a stiff pet. Provide soft, supportive bedding away from drafts, and add ramps or steps so your pet can reach favourite spots without jumping. Use raised food and water bowls, put down non-slip mats on smooth floors, and for cats, choose a litter box with a low side that is easy to step into. These changes cost little but can noticeably improve comfort.
Helping senior pets thrive in South Surrey
A diagnosis of arthritis is not the end of an active life. With the right combination of veterinary care, weight control, gentle exercise, and thoughtful home changes, many senior pets continue to enjoy their walks, their perches, and their families for years. If your older dog or cat is slowing down, a wellness exam is a good first step toward keeping them comfortable and mobile.
Frequently asked questions
Is my pet just getting old, or could it be arthritis?
Slowing down is often blamed on age, but stiffness, trouble with stairs, or reluctance to jump can be signs of arthritis, which is treatable. Rather than assuming your pet must live with it, mention the changes so your veterinarian can check and help ease the discomfort.
Can arthritis be cured?
Arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be managed well. A combination of weight control, appropriate pain relief, gentle activity, and home adjustments can significantly improve your pet’s comfort and keep them moving. The earlier it is addressed, the better the results tend to be.
Can I give my pet human anti-inflammatory medication?
No. Many human pain and anti-inflammatory medications are toxic to dogs and cats, even in small amounts. Only use medication prescribed by your veterinarian for your specific pet, and never share human products, as the consequences can be very serious.
Do cats get arthritis too?
Yes, and it is more common than many owners realise. Cats hide pain so well that signs are subtle, such as reduced grooming, hiding, or no longer jumping to high spots. If your older cat has changed its habits, arthritis is worth ruling out.