Joint Care Food for Dogs: What Does the Research Support? What to Feed an Older Dog with Arthritis
The joint nutrient with the most research behind it in dogs right now is omega-3 from fish oil (EPA and DHA) [1][2] For glucosamine and chondroitin, the latest review found no evidence that they reduce pain [2][3] And the thing that helps joints most clearly is keeping your dog at a healthy weight [4][5] Arthritis needs lifelong care, so have your vet examine your dog and plan it together [6]
When a dog gets older, gets up more slowly, avoids the stairs or starts limping, many pet parents look for joint care food. This article sums up veterinary research on what really helps, what has no evidence yet, and how to care for your dog at home.
Arthritis in dogs: what are the signs?
Osteoarthritis is the joint disease vets diagnose most often [7] Dogs tend to hide pain until it is severe, so watch for small changes [6]
Checklist: early signs of joint problems [6]
- Trouble getting up or lying down
- Walking more slowly, beside or behind you instead of ahead
- Hesitating before stairs, or before jumping onto the sofa or into the car
- Limping
- Tiring quickly, with shorter walks
Who is more at risk? A study of more than 455,000 dogs seen at UK clinics found osteoarthritis in about 2.5% each year. Linked factors were breed (for example Labrador and Golden Retriever), higher body weight, age over 8 years and being neutered [7]
Arthritis does not only start in old age. In a lifelong study of Labradors, X-ray signs of hip arthritis were seen in 15% by age 2, rising to 67% by age 14, increasing steadily throughout life [4] So weight care and exercise should start before any signs appear.
Joint care food for dogs: which nutrients have research behind them?
| Nutrient | What the research says | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 from fish oil (EPA, DHA) | Two reviews found it is the nutrient with the most evidence in dogs [1][2] In a randomized trial of 38 dogs with arthritis, 82% of dogs on a fish-oil-enriched food put more weight on the leg, compared with 38% on a regular food [8] | Evidence supports it |
| Glucosamine + chondroitin | A 2022 review found a “very marked non-effect” on pain and advised that it should no longer be recommended for pain [2] A placebo-controlled trial found no difference from placebo [3] | No evidence that it helps yet |
| Collagen | A review found only a small effect [2] | Little evidence |
| Other supplements | A 2012 review found low evidence for all of them except omega-3 [1] | Little evidence |
Why some owners feel glucosamine works: in a 2017 trial, owner scores improved in both the glucosamine group and the placebo group, so the researchers called it a “caregiver placebo effect”: owners felt their dog was better, but activity monitors showed no difference [3]
How omega-3 is given: studies used both foods with omega-3 built in (for example, a trial food containing 3.5% omega-3 from fish oil [8]) and separate supplements, and the reviews found an effect for both [1][2] Ask your vet to work out the right amount for your dog’s weight.
VCA vets advise asking your vet whether any supplement you plan to use has scientific data behind it [6]
Weight control: one of the biggest helps for joints
Excess weight and obesity are strongly linked with arthritis [6] Two key studies:
- A lifelong study of 48 Labradors compared dogs that ate freely with dogs fed 25% less for life. The freely fed dogs first showed hip arthritis on X-rays at a median age of 6, the restricted dogs at 12 [4]
- 14 overweight dogs with arthritis lost weight on a low-calorie diet over 16 weeks. Limping clearly decreased once they had lost about 6% of their body weight [5]
So a big loss is not needed to see a difference: for a 20 kg dog, losing about 1.2 kg is already in the range where the study saw a change [5] Ask your vet to set a target weight and portion size. In some cases the vet may prescribe a special diet to bring weight back to normal; if so, follow it strictly [6]
Exercise that is gentle on the joints
Dogs with arthritis still need to move regularly, but in a controlled way [9]
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Walk often, for short periods, starting with 10 minutes three times a day [9] | Throwing a ball or frisbee to chase, because the sudden take-off can make pain much worse [9] |
| If stiffness or pain does not increase, add walking time each week [9] | Slippery, sloping or bumpy ground [9] |
| Ask your vet about distance, walking surfaces and suitable exercises [9] |
Make your home easier to get around
VCA vets recommend [6]
- Soft, padded bedding
- Raising food and water bowls to about your dog’s elbow height
- Non-slip flooring where your dog walks most
- A ramp or small step for getting in and out of the car or onto the sofa
Joint medicine and painkillers for dogs: can I give them myself?
Never give your dog human painkillers. VCA warns that when your dog limps or has arthritis, you should never reach into your own medicine cabinet, and should only use medicines your vet prescribes [6] The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains that anti-inflammatory drugs made for people may not be safe in dogs, because the drug can stay in the body longer and reach higher blood levels. “Dogs are not small people”: before reaching for any bottle, stop and call your vet [10]
There are several medicines for joint pain in dogs, and your vet will choose one to suit your dog. For supplements, see the table above for which ones have evidence.
See your vet if…
- Limping lasts more than 2–3 days, or your dog won’t put weight on a leg
- Your dog can’t get up, won’t walk or cries when touched
- The back legs suddenly become weak, your dog drags its legs or can’t hold its urine. This may be a spinal disc problem rather than arthritis, and needs a vet quickly [11]
- A joint is swollen or hot, or your dog has a fever
- You are about to start a supplement, medicine or weight-loss plan
Frequently asked questions
What should an older dog with arthritis eat?
A complete diet in the amount that keeps a healthy weight, because weight control helps joints most clearly. Omega-3 from fish oil can be added, as it is the nutrient with the most research behind it in dogs with arthritis. Ask your vet to set the amount.
Does glucosamine for dogs really help joints?
The research does not support it yet. A 2022 review found glucosamine and chondroitin had almost no effect on joint pain in dogs and cats, and a placebo-controlled trial found no difference.
Does fish oil help dogs’ joints?
Research supports it. Reviews found omega-3 has the most evidence for arthritis in dogs, and one trial found 82% of dogs on a fish-oil-enriched food put more weight on the leg within 90 days. Ask your vet to set the amount.
What medicine helps dogs’ joints?
Joint pain medicine for dogs must be chosen and prescribed by a vet. Never give human painkillers, because medicines for people may not be safe in dogs. Among supplements, the one with the most evidence is omega-3 from fish oil.
My dog is limping. Do I need to see a vet?
Yes. Limping has many causes besides arthritis. If the back legs suddenly become weak, your dog drags its legs or can’t hold its urine, it may be a spinal disc problem and needs a vet quickly.
Can a dog with arthritis exercise?
Yes, and it should. Walk often for short periods, starting with 10 minutes three times a day, and add time each week if stiffness or pain doesn’t increase. Avoid ball or frisbee chasing and slippery floors.
Read more:
- Cat food or dog food, which brand? 7 things to check before you choose
- Choosing the right food by reading the label like an expert
- Food for dogs with a chicken allergy: what can they eat?
- Dog won’t eat kibble? Check the warning signs first
- What is holistic dog food?
References:
- Vandeweerd JM, Coisnon C, Clegg P, et al. Systematic review of efficacy of nutraceuticals to alleviate clinical signs of osteoarthritis. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2012;26(3):448–456. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00901.x
- Barbeau-Grégoire M, Otis C, Cournoyer A, et al. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of enriched therapeutic diets and nutraceuticals in canine and feline osteoarthritis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2022;23(18):10384. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810384
- Scott RM, Evans R, Conzemius MG. Efficacy of an oral nutraceutical for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled prospective clinical trial. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2017;30(5):318–323. https://doi.org/10.3415/VCOT-17-02-0020
- Smith GK, Paster ER, Powers MY, et al. Lifelong diet restriction and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2006;229(5):690–693. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.229.5.690
- Marshall WG, Hazewinkel HA, Mullen D, et al. The effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis. Veterinary Research Communications 2010;34(3):241–253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-010-9348-7
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Arthritis in Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/arthritis-in-dogs
- Anderson KL, O’Neill DG, Brodbelt DC, et al. Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care. Scientific Reports 2018;8:5641. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-23940-z
- Roush JK, Cross AR, Renberg WC, et al. Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2010;236(1):67–73. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.236.1.67
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Exercising Dogs with Osteoarthritis. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/exercising-dogs-with-osteoarthritis
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Get the Facts about Pain Relievers for Pets. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-pain-relievers-pets
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Disorders of the Spinal Column and Cord in Dogs. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders-of-dogs/disorders-of-the-spinal-column-and-cord-in-dogs
Transparency note: the authors of review [2] report having done research for several pet medicine and pet food companies, and trial [8] was carried out with a pet food company.
