Dogs with arthritis typically show a combination of movement changes and behavioral shifts, but because dogs instinctively mask pain, the earliest signs are easy to miss. Osteoarthritis is especially common in medium and large breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Bulldogs, though any dog can develop it with age. Knowing what to watch for can help you catch it early, when management is most effective.
The Earliest Signs Most Owners Miss
Arthritis rarely announces itself dramatically. The first clue is often something small: your dog takes noticeably longer to stand up after sleeping. Where they once bounced out of bed, they now rise slowly, stretch more deliberately, or shift their weight around before getting to their feet. This is particularly obvious after long naps or on cold mornings, when stiff joints haven’t had time to warm up.
Another early sign is a subtly stiff gait. Your dog still walks, still wants to go outside, but their movement looks a little mechanical, especially in the first few minutes of activity. They may loosen up after walking for a bit, which can make owners assume nothing is wrong. But that initial stiffness, repeated day after day, is one of the most reliable early indicators.
One of the most overlooked clues is obsessive licking of a specific joint. Dogs lick areas of their body that hurt, and a dog with sore knees or hips may lick those joints so persistently that they develop hair loss or irritated skin at the spot. If you notice your dog repeatedly grooming one area, especially around a leg joint, pain is a likely explanation.
Movement Changes That Point to Joint Pain
As arthritis progresses, the movement changes become harder to miss. Dogs may hesitate before jumping onto furniture or into the car, something they used to do without thinking. Some stop jumping altogether. Stairs become a problem: your dog might pause at the top or bottom, take them one at a time instead of bounding up, or avoid them entirely.
Watch for changes during walks. A dog with arthritis may lag behind on routes they used to handle easily, sit down during walks to rest, or show reluctance to keep going. Some dogs develop a bunny-hopping gait when running, using both back legs together rather than alternating them. This is a way of reducing the load on painful hip or knee joints.
Over time, you may notice muscle loss in the hindquarters. When a dog favors a painful leg, the muscles on that side shrink from disuse while the opposite side stays normal or even builds extra muscle to compensate. Run your hands along both sides of your dog’s hips and thighs. If one side feels noticeably thinner, that asymmetry often points to chronic joint pain.
Behavioral Changes to Watch For
Pain changes personality. A dog dealing with arthritis may become irritable, snapping or growling when touched in certain areas, particularly if you handle their hips, knees, or elbows. A previously social dog might start withdrawing, choosing to lie alone in a quiet room instead of joining the family. Some dogs become clingy in a different way, seeking comfort but resisting being picked up or moved.
Sleep patterns shift too. Dogs in pain often sleep more during the day because chronic discomfort is exhausting. Paradoxically, they may also struggle to sleep well at night, repositioning frequently because they can’t get comfortable. If your dog circles multiple times before lying down, collapses heavily rather than easing into position, or gets up and moves to a new spot repeatedly, joint pain is a likely culprit.
Reduced interest in play is another signal. A dog who used to fetch endlessly but now loses interest after a few throws, or one who no longer initiates play with other dogs, may be limiting activity because movement hurts.
How to Assess Your Dog at Home
Veterinary pain researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed a structured tool called the Canine Brief Pain Inventory that gives you a framework for tracking what you’re seeing. The core idea is simple: over the past seven days, rate how much pain has interfered with your dog’s ability to do specific things, each on a scale of 0 (no interference) to 10 (completely interferes).
- General activity level: Is your dog moving around the house and yard as much as usual?
- Rising from lying down: How much effort does it take for your dog to stand up?
- Walking: Does your dog walk normally, or do they show stiffness, limping, or reluctance?
- Running: Can your dog still run, or have they stopped entirely?
- Climbing stairs and curbs: Does your dog handle elevation changes without hesitation?
- Enjoyment of life: Does your dog still seem happy, engaged, and interested in things they used to enjoy?
Filling this out weekly gives you something concrete to bring to your vet rather than relying on a vague sense that something seems off. It also helps you notice gradual decline that’s easy to normalize when you see your dog every day.
What Happens at the Vet
A veterinarian diagnoses arthritis through a physical exam that includes watching your dog walk, checking their posture, and feeling each joint for swelling, heat, reduced range of motion, or pain responses. They’ll gently flex and extend the legs to identify which joints are affected.
X-rays are the most common next step. They reveal changes to the bone and joint space that confirm arthritis and help rule out other causes like fractures or bone tumors. X-rays don’t show cartilage directly, though, so if the vet suspects soft tissue damage or needs a closer look, they may recommend a CT scan or MRI.
Bringing your home observations and any pain scores you’ve tracked makes the appointment more productive. Dogs often behave differently in a clinical setting, masking pain due to stress or adrenaline, so your day-to-day observations at home are genuinely valuable diagnostic information.
Dogs at Higher Risk
Any dog can develop arthritis, but certain factors raise the odds significantly. Large and giant breeds are predisposed because of the greater mechanical stress on their joints, and breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Bulldogs have high rates of hip dysplasia, a developmental condition where the hip joint doesn’t form properly. Hip dysplasia accelerates cartilage breakdown and often leads to arthritis well before a dog reaches old age.
Previous joint injuries, including ligament tears and fractures, also increase risk even after they’ve healed. Excess weight compounds the problem by adding constant load to already vulnerable joints. Overweight dogs don’t just develop arthritis more often; their symptoms tend to be more severe and progress faster. If your dog carries extra weight and shows any of the signs above, those two facts together make arthritis highly likely.