Arthritis symptoms in dogs often come on slowly. As your dog ages, you may notice several changes in your dog's behavior that indicate the onset of arthritis. It is not always easy, however to recognize these changes as being associated with this painful degenerative joint disease. One may think that a dog is merely slowing down or exhibiting signs of his age.

Some Common Arthritis Symptoms In Dogs

For pet owners concerned with the possibility of arthritis in their dogs, there are several possible symptoms to look for. Is there stiffness in your dog's gait? Difficulty in moving freely indicates that there may be an accumulation of fluid in the dog's joints that makes normal movement painful. Is your dog showing reluctance to jump into the car or climb stairs? When your dog no longer wants to perform ordinary maneuvers, it could mean that he anticipates pain and therefore seeks to avoid it.

If your dog becomes particularly lethargic and unwilling to move in cold and damp weather, this could be another sign of arthritis. Joint disease is aggravated by these conditions. If you notice that your dog is slow to rise from a sitting or lying down position, it could be a sign of stiff joints and pain. A breakdown of cartilage between the bones is the root cause of arthritis symptoms in dogs, and it is a problem common to aging dogs and those who have experienced infection, disease or other traumas.

If you see any of these signs in your dog, a trip to the vet can help determine what the problem is and what treatments are available. Research into the causes of dog arthritis has produced new possibilities for its treatment that give hope to the pet owners of the millions of dogs afflicted with this degenerative disease. Arthritis symptoms in dogs should not be ignored. Early treatment can prevent future problems and slow the progression of joint disease.