Supporting your pet through arthritis
Date: 1 Apr 2026
As the mornings get cooler, many of us notice our dogs slowing down a little. They might be taking a moment longer to get up in the morning or choosing the sunny spot on the deck instead of chasing the ball. These small changes are often early signs of osteoarthritis, a condition that becomes more noticeable as the weather cools and stiff joints protest a bit more.
The good news is that there’s a lot we can do to help. Arthritis responds best when we tackle it from several angles at once.
A great place to start is with diet and supplements. Joint support diets can help reduce inflammation, while supplements containing omega-3 oils, green-lipped mussel, or glucosamine can support cartilage and tissues inside the joints. These work best when used consistently and as part of a wider plan.
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the most powerful ways to reduce pressure on sore joints. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a big difference to comfort and mobility.
Maintaining muscle mass is just as important. Gentle, regular exercise helps keep dogs strong without overloading painful joints. Many dogs benefit from physiotherapy or hydrotherapy, and at our clinic, we offer acupuncture, which can be an effective addition for reducing pain and improving mobility. Lots of local dogs have responded beautifully to it, especially during the cooler seasons when stiffness tends to flare.
In some cases, we will prescribe pain relief, which reduces discomfort and allows them to enjoy their normal routines again, stay slim, and keep their muscle condition.
A check-up with our vets is the best way to pull all these options together into a sensible, personalised plan. Every dog’s arthritis is different, and a tailored approach means better comfort, fewer bad days, and a much happier winter ahead.
If you have questions about any other pet-related topic you’d like us to cover in future articles, we’d love to hear from you. Send in your questions via email to [email protected] with the subject line "PC Times Question"
Dr Samuel Frost BVSc
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