Arthritis & chronic pain

· Slowing down on walks, or stopping earlier than they used to
· Hesitating at stairs, the car, or the sofa
· Stiff for the first few minutes after rest, looser once moving
· Sitting oddly, or shifting weight when standing
· Less interested in play, or grumpier when touched
· Licking one joint repeatedly
· Changed sleeping position, or restlessness at night

Almost everything people call 'just getting old' is treatable pain. A dog who becomes willing to play again on pain relief was not old last week — they were sore.

· WEIGHT. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons puts weight control at the top of arthritis management, ahead of every drug and supplement. Every extra pound loads every joint at every step, and it is free.
· Traction. Runners and rugs on slick floors. A dog who slips braces constantly, and bracing hurts.
· A ramp instead of a jump, for the car and the bed.
· Controlled, regular, low-impact exercise — short and frequent beats one long weekend walk.
· An orthopedic bed, off the floor and out of drafts.

Prescription pain relief is the biggest single improvement available for most arthritic dogs, and there are now long-acting options beyond daily tablets. Omega-3s have the best supplement evidence; glucosamine has the weakest. Rehabilitation, underwater treadmill work and acupuncture all have a place. See supplements for what the trials actually found.

Never give human painkillers. Ibuprofen, naproxen and paracetamol are toxic to dogs and cause kidney failure and stomach ulcers. This is one of the most common accidental poisonings there is, and it is usually well-meant.

· American College of Veterinary Surgeons (acvs.org)
· Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com) — the standard clinical reference, free online
· Cornell Riney Canine Health Center (vet.cornell.edu)
· Canine Arthritis Management (caninearthritis.co.uk) — free owner-facing resources and a mobility checklist

Weight and traction are the two biggest levers and both are free.