Plodding slowly on their favourite walk, groaning when they climb out of bed or lacking their usual zest for life are all common symptoms that your dog could be suffering from arthritis.
Canine arthritis can cause stiff and sore joints and, if left untreated, it can seriously affect your dog’s quality of life. If you suspect your dog may be experiencing joint stiffness or joint pain, watch out for these telltale signs, then get a proper diagnosis from your vet.
Common symptoms of canine arthritis
- Slowing down or lagging behind during walks
- Difficulty getting up or lying down
- Excessive panting
- Continuously licking a joint
- Favouring one leg over another
- Overall lack of mobility
- Sleeping and lying down more
- Lethargy and reluctance to exercise
Spotting the signs isn’t always easy
Sometimes, dogs can be hard to read. A dog’s instinct is to hide the signs of being in pain so when symptoms do appear, your pet could have been suffering for a while. You know your dog better than anyone else, so always trust your own instincts.
Get into the habit of watching out for small, everyday changes, so that you can act quickly if you suspect your dog needs the help of your vet.