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Understanding Osteoarthritis in Dogs: New Insights from a Groundbreaking Study

22 May 2025

If you’re a dog owner, you know how much joy our furry friends bring into our lives. But just like us, dogs can face health challenges as they age, and one of the most common is osteoarthritis (OA). This joint condition can cause pain and stiffness, making it harder for dogs to run, jump, or even get up from their favorite spot on the couch. A recent study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (March 2025) sheds new light on how OA affects dogs’ daily activity and offers exciting possibilities for improving their quality of life. Let’s break it down for you in a way that’s easy to understand!

What Is Osteoarthritis in Dogs?

Osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage in a dog’s joints wears down, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility. It’s not just a “human” problem—studies suggest that up to 37% of dogs in the U.S. may have OA, and it’s especially common in older dogs or those with joint injuries. The pain from OA can affect everything from a dog’s ability to play fetch to their mood and sleep.

The challenge for veterinarians and pet owners is figuring out how much pain a dog is in and how it impacts their daily life. Dogs can’t tell us how they feel, so researchers are always looking for better ways to measure pain and test treatments.

What Did This Study Do?

Researchers at North Carolina State University’s Translational Research in Pain (TRIP) Program studied 102 dogs with OA to learn more about how factors like age, weight, and pain levels affect their activity. They used a combination of tools to get a complete picture:

•  Owner Surveys: Pet owners filled out questionnaires, like the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) and Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD), to report how pain affects their dog’s daily activities, such as walking, running, or climbing stairs.

•  Veterinary Exams: Vets performed detailed checkups, including orthopedic exams to assess joint pain and muscle loss, and took X-rays to confirm OA.

•  Activity Trackers: Dogs wore collar-mounted accelerometers (think Fitbits for dogs!) for 10-14 days to record their activity levels minute by minute.

The researchers used a cutting-edge method called Functional Linear Modeling (FLM) to analyze the activity data. Unlike traditional methods that might only look at total daily activity, FLM creates a detailed 24-hour activity “profile,” showing when dogs are most or least active and how factors like pain or age influence those patterns.

Key Findings: What Affects a Dog’s Activity?

The study revealed some fascinating insights about how OA impacts dogs:

•  Pain and Mobility Matter Most: Dogs with higher pain scores (reported by owners or measured by vets) were less active, especially during the early morning and evening hours. This makes sense—pain might make it harder for dogs to get moving after resting or keep up with evening playtime.

•  Age and Weight Play a Role: Older dogs and those with higher body weights tended to be less active, particularly during the day. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight could help them stay more mobile as they age.

•  Where It Hurts Matters: Dogs with pain in their front legs (forelimbs) showed different activity patterns than those with pain in their back legs (hindlimbs). For example, forelimb pain was linked to lower activity in the early morning, while hindlimb pain affected activity more in the evening.

•  Weekdays vs. Weekends: Dogs were often more active on weekends, likely because owners are home and engaging with them more. This highlights how much our routines influence our pets’ activity levels!

Interestingly, the study found that some factors, like a dog’s body condition score (a measure of whether they’re underweight, overweight, or just right), didn’t have a clear impact on activity patterns in this group. This could be because most dogs in the study were at a healthy weight, with an average body condition score of 5.6 out of 9.

Why This Matters for Dog Owners

This study is a big deal for a few reasons:

•  Better Pain Management: By using tools like activity trackers and owner surveys, vets can get a clearer picture of how OA affects a dog’s life. This could lead to more personalized treatment plans, like adjusting medications or recommending physical therapy.

•  Activity Trackers Are Powerful: The use of accelerometers and FLM shows that wearable tech isn’t just for humans. These devices can help track how well treatments are working by showing changes in a dog’s activity over time.

•  Lessons for Human Medicine: Dogs with OA are a great model for studying human OA because they live in similar environments and develop the condition naturally. Insights from this study could help develop new treatments for both dogs and people.

•  Empowering Pet Owners: The study relied on owners’ observations, which shows how important you are in managing your dog’s health. Keeping a diary of your dog’s behavior or noticing when they’re less active can help your vet make better decisions.

What Can You Do for Your Dog?

If you suspect your dog might have OA (common signs include limping, stiffness, or reluctance to jump or climb stairs), here are some steps you can take:

•  Visit Your Vet: A thorough exam and X-rays can confirm OA and rule out other issues. Your vet might recommend pain medications, supplements, or other therapies.

•  Keep Your Dog at a Healthy Weight: Extra pounds put more stress on joints, so work with your vet to ensure your dog’s diet and exercise are on point.

•  Stay Active (Gently): Low-impact activities like short walks or swimming can keep your dog moving without worsening joint pain. 

•  Watch for Changes: Pay attention to when your dog seems less active or struggles with certain tasks. Sharing these details with your vet can help tailor their treatment.

•  Consider Tech: While not yet common, activity trackers could become a tool for monitoring your dog’s health. Ask your vet about options for tracking mobility.

Looking Ahead

This study is just the beginning. The researchers suggest future studies could track dogs over longer periods, compare different breeds, or explore how owner lifestyles (like working from home) affect a dog’s activity. They also hope to refine tools like FLM to make them even better at detecting subtle changes in behavior.

For now, this research is a reminder that our dogs’ health is closely tied to their daily routines and our care. By staying proactive and working with your vet, you can help your dog live a happier, more comfortable life, even with osteoarthritis.

Want to learn more? Check out the full study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1503009) or talk to your veterinarian about the latest options for managing OA in dogs.