Arthritis symptoms in dogs
Early arthritis signs can look like a dog simply getting older, so a veterinary assessment matters.
Updated August 2, 2026 · 8 min read
The short version
- Stiffness after rest is often noticed before any limping.
- Behaviour changes, irritability, or reluctance to be touched can be pain signs.
- Dogs often hide pain, so the absence of crying does not rule it out.
- Arthritis can affect dogs under seven, especially after a joint injury.
Early signs owners tend to miss
Slow to rise after sleeping. Hesitating at the bottom of stairs. Taking the couch in two attempts instead of one. Falling behind on the second half of a walk.
None of these look like pain, which is why arthritis is usually diagnosed years after it starts.
Physical signs
Stiff gait first thing in the morning that eases with movement; a bunny-hopping hind gait; muscle loss over the hips or shoulders; licking repeatedly at one joint.
Compare left to right, asymmetric muscle mass is one of the most reliable indicators owners can spot at home.
Behavioural signs
Snapping when touched near the hips, no longer greeting at the door, sleeping more, reluctance to be picked up, or a house-trained dog starting to have accidents because getting outside is hard.
Getting a diagnosis
Bring video of the dog rising and walking; clinic adrenaline hides lameness. An orthopedic exam plus radiographs confirms it and rules out the alternatives.
Ask for a baseline pain score and a body condition score so future visits have something to measure against.
Common questions
- How young can a dog get arthritis?
- Dogs with dysplasia or a prior joint injury can show radiographic arthritis before two years of age.
- Is limping the main symptom?
- No. Stiffness after rest, reduced activity, and behavioural change usually come first.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Diagnosis and treatment decisions belong with your veterinarian.