As dogs age, their health deteriorates, and the most common health problem in senior dogs is osteoarthritis (1).

Unfortunately, canine arthritis is not exclusive to geriatric dogs, and younger adult dogs may also suffer from this problem as well (2, 3, 4).

A dietary change for arthritic dogs is key to alleviating the symptoms, so what's the best dog food for arthritis, and how to pick one?

In this article, we'll cover the causes, prevention, and treatment of arthritis in dogs through dietary means.

I will review some of the vets' recommended best dog foods for arthritis as well as other methods pet owners can use to alleviate their dog's discomfort.

In my veterinary practice, many pet owners – those of dogs already suffering from arthritis, as well as those who wish to prevent it – will often ask me about vet-recommended dog foods for arthritis.

There are several brands I talk about in this article, and I will also explain why most veterinarians choose them and how they actually help.

Preview Product Rating
Hill's Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Chicken... Hill's Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Chicken... 68 Reviews Check Price
Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Large... Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Large... 2,501 Reviews Check Price
Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility,... Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility,... 558 Reviews Check Price
Royal Canin Large Aging 8+ Senior Dry Dog Food, 30... Royal Canin Large Aging 8+ Senior Dry Dog Food, 30... 1,260 Reviews Check Price

The History of Dietary Therapy for Dogs with Arthritis

Therapeutic diets are actually much older than you might think.

Diet was very important in Eastern medicine for maintaining good health, balancing the body, and treating disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies different foods based on how they affect the body.

For example, if the foods are “cooling” or “warming” and how they affect the yin and yang balance.

Many of these practices are thousands of years old, and some are supported by evidence from scientific studies today.

Diet therapy for illnesses like canine arthritis has been a common part of veterinary medicine for decades.

However, in recent years, more pet food brands have begun investing in research to find appropriate dog food for arthritis to help with the disease.

The first commercially available “therapeutic diet” for dogs in the United States was pioneered by Dr. Mark Morris, Sr. back in 1939.

The way AVMA vets tell the story, he was asked by a blind man to help his guide dog, who was suffering from kidney disease.

Dr. Morris believed that medical conditions could be managed through diet, and he formulated the very first “kidney diet” for this lucky dog.

His formula is now known as Hill’s Science Diet k/d and is still sold today.

This and their other dog food formulas have been clinically proven to help improve health problems in dogs and cats, including aging-related diseases and cognitive decline (5).

Dr. Morris is the founder of Hill's Pet Nutrition and has become a visionary in the field of clinical nutrition for pets.

Veterinarians usually pick Hill's Science as one of their most vets recommended dog food brands for this and many other reasons.

Not least of which is the fact that the company spends the most money on advancing veterinary research and diet-related approaches based on scientific evidence.

Today, pets are living longer, healthier lives than ever, thanks to improved living conditions, veterinary medical care, and optimized commercial dog food diets.

However, with a longer lifespan comes certain age-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis in dogs.

Canine arthritis, or osteoarthritis, can happen to dogs of all ages but is most common in older or geriatric patients.

Before we discuss the best dog food for arthritis, let’s take a closer look at the disease itself and what it means for the dog.

ASK A VET: How to Put an Overweight Dog on a Diet?

What is Canine Arthritis?

Just like in humans, joints serve the same purpose in dogs.

Joints are where bones meet each other and are the “hinges” that help facilitate movement.

Bones are made up of very hard minerals but also contain a blood and nerve supply.

The surface of a bone is very sensitive and is covered by a substance called cartilage, where it meets another bone in the joint.

There are many different types of joints in the body, but most involve cartilage in one way or another.

Cartilage is a “buffer” that protects the bones as they rub against each other with every movement.

It is a living substance made up of cells that produce lubrication and cushioning for the dog's joints.

Causes of Arthritis in Dogs

There are many reasons why a dog may suffer from arthritis (6, 7, 8, 9).

Aging, breed, diet, exercise, infections, stress, and much more will affect and relate to the dog's joints and their condition in one way or another.

Over time, cartilage can become damaged or diseased. When this happens, it doesn’t function as well, leading to inflammation and painful bone-on-bone contact.

Trauma, infection, auto-immune disease, congenital defects, and abnormal limb structure (such as poor conformation in Dachshunds) can all cause cartilage damage and arthritis.

Canine osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of pain and discomfort for dogs of any age and breed (10, 11).

It affects dogs' mental and physical condition in different ways, and aside from pain, it causes these dogs to become more sedentary (12, 13, 14, 15).

ASK A VET: Does Hypoallergenic Dog Food Really Work, and Why?

How to Prevent and Treat Arthritis in Dogs

Nutrition is the cornerstone of good health, regardless of what disease process you wish to prevent or treat in your dog.

Food therapy has been proven to be an important part of treating and preventing arthritis in dogs.

This is as long as a specific formulation for arthritic dogs is used, such as one of the below-mentioned brands or home diets (16).

Studies have shown over and over again how nutrition and proper dog food for dogs with arthritis can help with this condition (17, 18).

While well-balanced dog food diets are the go-to source, some specific food items have also been shown to alleviate arthritis symptoms in dogs (19, 20, 21, 22).

Further research also showed how the addition of nutraceuticals (23) and supplements such as fish oil for dogs could significantly improve the condition of arthritic dogs.

This is done through the reduction of inflammation, which applies to aging senior dogs and younger adult dogs alike (24, 25, 26).

Almost every dog food brand for arthritis now contains omega-3s in large quantities in them.

Other than fish oil for dogs, studies have also presented two other dietary adjustments for dogs with arthritis that can improve the condition and alleviate the pain:

FDA has also released a guide (PDF) for the industry to follow in order to assist dogs with arthritis and manufacture the best dog food products to address this specific health problem.

In Addition to Diet for Arthritic Dogs…

It is important to be in contact with your dog’s veterinarian about his or her mobility issues.

In this way, they can formulate a plan together that will be most beneficial and address the specific health problems in your dog.

This will include anything from the best dog food for arthritis to joint supplements, care, exercise routine, precautions, and more.

Many patients require more than one therapy to reduce pain and improve the mobility of arthritic dogs.

While the science-based method is normally recommended, consulting with a holistic veterinarian is also a good option if one is available in your area to get a second opinion.

Some good arthritis prevention strategies include:

  • Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
  • Feed life-stage appropriate dog foods
  • Provide quality supplements, such as essential fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-7 are good to start with), antioxidants, glycosaminoglycans (like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate)
  • Exercise your dog daily – light to moderate, low-impact exercise is best, such as walking or swimming.
  • See your veterinarian regularly, especially if your dog injures himself or seems to have muscle, joint, or back pain. Reducing inflammation quickly can help prevent further cartilage damage and early onset of arthritis. Also, provide appropriate preventative care every 6-12 months, depending on your dog’s life stage.
  • Use flea and tick preventatives – if you live in an area with many ticks, tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlichiosis and Lyme Disease can cause swollen joints, cartilage damage, and arthritis.

If your dog already has arthritis, don’t despair.

Treatment for this disease can encompass a wide variety of methods, starting with the best dog food for arthritis and further adjusting his diet, lifestyle, and treatments as per your vet's guidance.

On top of that, you can also include pain medication for dogs with arthritis (NSAIDs and narcotics), supplementation, acupuncture, herbal therapy, massage therapy, physical therapy, cold laser therapy, and diet therapy.

Although not all of them have been proven to work, some dog owners have anecdotal evidence that they do.

How to Choose The Best Dog Food for Arthritis

The Best Dog Food for Arthritis

As noted in the above studies, diet is critical to treating your pet's arthritis condition.

Not only can the proper diet and specific dog food for arthritis help aid in joint mobility and function, but it can also provide relief for the aches and pains associated with arthritis.

How to Pick the Best Dog Food for Arthritis

If your dog suffers from a mild case of canine arthritis, the best dog food for arthritis that's available from well-known pet food brands should meet certain requirements to alleviate the discomfort.

To pick a good option, the criteria include:

  • Life-stage appropriate (i.e., large breed adult, senior, etc.)
  • Contain essential fatty acids (such as omega-3s/EPA/DHA)
  • Contain glycosaminoglycans (GAGs, e.g., chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine)
  • Contain antioxidants

Additional supplementation of GAGs may be necessary, as your dog may not get the proper “dose” of them every day with every meal from commercial diets.

And even though some of the best dog food for arthritis brands may contain them, it will depend on whether your pet requires more.

Furthermore, some ill dogs eat less some days than others.

Vet-Recommended Best Dog Food for Arthritis

Here are the five most commonly vet-recommended, reputable, and best dog food for arthritis brands that you should discuss with your veterinarian:

1. Hill’s Science Diet j/d

Find it on Chewy | Find it on Amazon

Hill's Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet, 8.5 lb. Bag The company that pioneered commercial diet therapy offers prescription food through your veterinarian, many ‘big-box’ pet stores, and Amazon.

It contains high levels of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Not the most popular but arguably the best dog food for arthritis brand out there, this recipe may be most appropriate as adjunctive therapy for dogs with moderate to severe arthritis.

Owners could see improvement in mobility in as little as 21 days, and I have personally seen my patients' improvements.

2. Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Mobility

Find it on Chewy | Find it on Amazon

Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Large Breed, Healthy Mobility for Joint Health, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice & Barley Recipe, 30 lb. Bag This diet does not require a prescription and is pretty much the same as the j/d I've mentioned above, except it does not contain as many essential fatty acids.

This is why it's also less expensive than j/d.

This is one of the best dog food for arthritis of mild to moderate cases, and owners may see improvement in mobility in just 30 days.

Veterinarians generally like Hill's Science diet due to their proven methodology and testing of their diets to ensure how they address illnesses in dogs.

3. Hill’s Science Diet Metabolic+Mobility

Find it on Chewy | Find it on Amazon

Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility, Weight + j/d Joint Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet, 24 lb. Bag This is not my first choice, but as an alternative to the above, you can also discuss Diet Metabolic+Mobility with your veterinarian.

The reason this one is among the best dog food for arthritis brands is that the diet helps overweight and obese dogs lose weight, which subsequently helps to alleviate joint-associated pain.

The ingredients may also support the dog's joint health.

If fed properly, it may improve mobility in as little as 21 days and help your dog lose 13% of his body weight in just 60 days, according to the manufacturer, but it has not been observed in studies yet.

4. Royal Canin Maxi Aging Care Senior

Find it on Chewy | Find it on Amazon

Royal Canin Large Aging 8+ Senior Dry Dog Food, 30 lb bag, 518330 This over-the-counter brand contains various antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and glucosamine for joint support.

It's similar to Hill's option and may be the best dog food brand for arthritis for pets in various arthritis stages.

This diet is also formulated with adapted fiber content and highly digestible proteins to foster proper digestion.

The above-mentioned best dog food for arthritis products have been fairly popular and effective among veterinarians and their patients.

However, your own veterinarian may recommend a different one, and you must discuss this with your vet before purchasing and feeding any of these brands.

Make sure to research the next diet you buy for your arthritic dog to ensure that there's some evidence on how and why it works.

Also, read dog food reviews from other pet owners to confirm it further.

Homemade and Holistic Food Therapy for Arthritic Dogs

While I and most other vets I know will usually recommend finding the best dog food for arthritis brands available commercially, a DIY is still a viable option.

That said, there are many things for pet owners to consider before using homemade dog food diets, and it's not as simple as throwing a bunch of leftovers in a pot.

Understanding homemade dog food cooking is especially important if it's for a dog with arthritis, as there are certain dangers associated with DIY home foods.

Homemade diet and holistic veterinary medicine, in general, can be tricky.

But there's anecdotal evidence from pet owners claiming that it works.

Homemade diets for dogs with arthritis can be tailor-made by a veterinary nutritionist or holistic veterinary practitioner.

If these diets are not balanced, your dog’s overall health may be compromised, so stick to a reputable recipe and discuss it with a vet.

Many of these recipes provide a basis for balanced nutrition but add in whole-food sources of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and GAGs.

Combinations for diets can include shellfish, salmon, blueberries, kale, pumpkin, and sweet potato.

In my opinion, the best homemade diet for an arthritic dog is formulated by a holistic veterinarian that practices Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).

These practitioners seek to “balance” the dog and will use specific ingredients to do so, emulating similar formulations to the above-mentioned best dog food for arthritis brands.

In the process, they treat arthritis. For example, TCVM practitioners use ingredients like cooked tomatoes and buffalo meat for arthritic patients who need “warming.”

Traditional Chinese medicine employs bone and tendon broths to help ease arthritis pain in humans.

This is also a very ‘whole-foods’ approach to the treatment, as many GAGs (like chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine) are released into the broth when bones and connective tissues are boiled.

Some of these broths can help dogs with arthritis, but sometimes the “dose” is too dilute.

Overall, the majority of veterinarians will recommend sticking with a science-based approach and using commercially available best dog food for arthritis brands that have been tested in studies as opposed to a home diet that has little research behind it.

Holistic and DIY cooking approaches can be helpful in addition to an evidence-based approach to treating arthritis in dogs as long as your veterinarian monitors it.

Key Takeaways:

  • Aging, breed, food, activity, infections, stress, and a host of other factors can all have an impact on a dog's joints and condition.
  • A holistic veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist can create custom homemade foods for dogs with arthritis.
  • Starting with the best dog food and modifying your dog's diet, lifestyle, and therapies as directed by the vet are all possible forms of treatment for arthritis.

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References

Click here to see study citations and references

Footnotes, study citations, and further reading:

  1. Martinez SA1. Congenital conditions that lead to osteoarthritis in the dog. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1997 Jul;27(4):735-58.
  2. Pettitt RA, German AJ. Investigation and management of canine osteoarthritis. In Practice 2015;37:1-8.
  3. Martinez SA1, Coronado GS. Acquired conditions that lead to osteoarthritis in the dog. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1997 Jul;27(4):759-75.
  4. Liu W1, Burton-Wurster N, Glant TT, Tashman S, Sumner DR, Kamath RV, Lust G, Kimura JH, Cs-Szabo G. Spontaneous and experimental osteoarthritis in dog: similarities and differences in proteoglycan levels. J Orthop Res. 2003 Jul;21(4):730-7.
  5. Head, E., Rofina, J., & Zicker, S. (2008). Oxidative Stress, Aging and CNS disease in the Canine Model of Human Brain Aging. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice, 38(1), 167–vi. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2007.10.002
  6. Heuser, W. (1980). Canine Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 21(11), 314–316.
  7. Hegemann N1, Kohn B, Brunnberg L, Schmidt MF. Biomarkers of joint tissue metabolism in canine osteoarthritic and arthritic joint disorders. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2002 Sep;10(9):714-21.
  8. Sbrana S1, Marchetti V, Mancianti F, Guidi G, Bennett D. Retrospective study of 14 cases of canine arthritis secondary to Leishmania infection. J Small Anim Pract. 2014 Jun;55(6):309-13. doi: 10.1111/jsap.12204. Epub 2014 Apr 3.
  9. Vaughan-Scott T1, Taylor JH. The pathophysiology and medical management of canine osteoarthritis. J S Afr Vet Assoc. 1997 Mar;68(1):21-5.
  10. Sharkey, M. (2013). The Challenges of Assessing Osteoarthritis and Postoperative Pain in Dogs. The AAPS Journal, 15(2), 598–607. https://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-013-9467-5
  11. Hielm-Björkman AK1, Rita H, Tulamo RM. Psychometric testing of the Helsinki chronic pain index by completion of a questionnaire in Finnish by owners of dogs with chronic signs of pain caused by osteoarthritis. Am J Vet Res. 2009 Jun;70(6):727-34. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.6.727.
  12. Hansen BD1, Lascelles BD, Keene BW, Adams AK, Thomson AE. Evaluation of an accelerometer for at-home monitoring of spontaneous activity in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2007 May;68(5):468-75.
  13. Wernham BG1, Trumpatori B, Hash J, Lipsett J, Davidson G, Wackerow P, Thomson A, Lascelles BD. Dose reduction of meloxicam in dogs with osteoarthritis-associated pain and impaired mobility. J Vet Intern Med. 2011 Nov-Dec;25(6):1298-305. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00825.x. Epub 2011 Nov 1.
  14. Hudson JT1, Slater MR, Taylor L, Scott HM, Kerwin SC. Assessing repeatability and validity of a visual analogue scale questionnaire for use in assessing pain and lameness in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2004 Dec;65(12):1634-43.
  15. Hielm-Björkman AK1, Kuusela E, Liman A, Markkola A, Saarto E, Huttunen P, Leppäluoto J, Tulamo RM, Raekallio M. Evaluation of methods for assessment of pain associated with chronic osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Jun 1;222(11):1552-8.
  16. Ameye, L. G., & Chee, W. S. (2006). Osteoarthritis and nutrition. From nutraceuticals to functional foods: a systematic review of the scientific evidence. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 8(4), R127. https://doi.org/10.1186/ar2016
  17. Johnston SA1, McLaughlin RM, Budsberg SC. Nonsurgical management of osteoarthritis in dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2008 Nov;38(6):1449-70, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2008.08.001.
  18. Budsberg SC1, Bartges JW. Nutrition and osteoarthritis in dogs: does it help? Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2006 Nov;36(6):1307-23, vii.
  19. Rialland, P., Bichot, S., Lussier, B., Moreau, M., Beaudry, F., del Castillo, J. R., … Troncy, E. (2013). Effect of a diet enriched with green-lipped mussel on pain behavior and functioning in dogs with clinical osteoarthritis. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 77(1), 66–74.
  20. Bui LM1, Bierer TL. Influence of green lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) in alleviating signs of arthritis in dogs. Vet Ther. 2003 Winter;4(4):397-407.
  21. Innes JF1, Fuller CJ, Grover ER, Kelly AL, Burn JF. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study of P54FP for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. Vet Rec. 2003 Apr 12;152(15):457-60.
  22. Bierer TL1, Bui LM. Improvement of arthritic signs in dogs fed green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus). J Nutr. 2002 Jun;132(6 Suppl 2):1634S-6S.
  23. Gingerich DA1, Strobel JD. Use of client-specific outcome measures to assess treatment effects in geriatric, arthritic dogs: controlled clinical evaluation of a nutraceutical. Vet Ther. 2003 Spring;4(1):56-66.
  24. Fritsch DA1, Allen TA, Dodd CE, Jewell DE, Sixby KA, Leventhal PS, Brejda J, Hahn KA. A multicenter study of the effect of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on carprofen dosage in dogs with osteoarthritis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 Mar 1;236(5):535-9. doi: 10.2460/javma.236.5.535.
  25. Anna Hielm-BjörkmanE, Johanna Roine, Kari Elo, Anu Lappalainen, Jouni Junnila and Outi Laitinen-Vapaavuori. An un-commissioned randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study to test the effect of deep sea fish oil as a pain reliever for dogs suffering from canine OA. BMC Veterinary Research 20128:157 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-157
  26. Knott, L., Avery, N. C., Hollander, A. P., & Tarlton, J. F. (2011). Regulation of osteoarthritis by omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in a naturally occurring model of disease. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 19(9), 1150–1157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2011.06.005
  27. D'Altilio M1, Peal A, Alvey M, Simms C, Curtsinger A, Gupta RC, Canerdy TD, Goad JT, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Undenatured Type II Collagen Singly or in Combination with Glucosamine and Chondroitin in Arthritic Dogs. Toxicol Mech Methods. 2007;17(4):189-96. doi: 10.1080/15376510600910469.
  28. Jerosch, J. (2011). Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate on Cartilage Metabolism in OA: Outlook on Other Nutrient Partners Especially Omega-3 Fatty Acids. International Journal of Rheumatology, 2011, 969012. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/969012
  29. Van Vugt, R. M., Rijken, P. J., Rietveld, A. G., van Vugt, A. C., & Dijkmans, B. A. C. (2008). Antioxidant intervention in rheumatoid arthritis: results of an open pilot study. Clinical Rheumatology, 27(6), 771–775. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-008-0848-6
  30. De Oliveira El-Warrak, A., Rouma, M., Amoroso, A., Boysen, S. R., & Chorfi, Y. (2012). Measurement of vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium, and L-lactate in dogs with and without osteoarthritis secondary to ruptured cranial cruciate ligament. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 53(12), 1285–1288.
  31. Cheeke, P., Piacente, S., & Oleszek, W. (2006). Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of yucca schidigera: A review. Journal of Inflammation (London, England), 3, 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-9255-3-6
  32. Rhouma, M., de Oliveira El Warrak, A., Troncy, E., Beaudry, F., & Chorfi, Y. (2013). Anti-inflammatory response of dietary vitamin E and its effects on pain and joint structures during early stages of surgically induced osteoarthritis in dogs. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 77(3), 191–198.

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Ask a Veterinarian - What Is the Best Dog Food for Arthritis

Deborah Shores, DVM
In the last 8 years, Dr. Shores has worked as a clinical veterinarian for dogs, cats, small mammals and non-human primates as well as a writer on the subject of pet health. Her passion is breaking down the intricacies of proper dog health care and dog nutrition.