by Team WellJoy
Just like us, dogs slow down as they get older. You might have noticed your pet’s a bit stiffer when getting out of their bed (or your bed) in the morning, or that they occasionally limp on their afternoon run around the park.
That’s very normal. Osteoarthritis is common in dogs, with more than 20% of them over the age of 1 affected by some degree of joint disease – which covers mild stiffness to severe lameness.
The essentials: A quick breakdown of what’s going on
Think about all the time your dog has spent tearing back and forth, chasing sticks, running to greet you and bouncing on and off the couch. Their joints experience constant wear and repair, and as they get older that balance becomes more delicate. Dogs are usually diagnosed with joint challenges around 8-13 years, and that’s because of a number of interconnected factors:
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Cartilage: the rubbery tissue that protects bones and joints becomes more brittle and less resilient, as a result of reduced water content and stiffening collagen fibers. Damaged cartilage can also release molecules that cause inflammation.
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Synovial fluid: the goo that lubricates your pet’s joints gets thicker and less slippery, because hyaluronic acid becomes less concentrated.
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Ligaments and tendons: the structures that help stabilize the joints get less flexible and more prone to injury, reducing range of motion.
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Bone: the part that sits beneath the cartilage gets denser and less flexible, and wobbly joints can cause bone spurs to form over time.
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Inflammation: means nerves can become more sensitive and create pain before symptoms start showing up.
Changes might start out subtly and manifest themselves in mild stiffness, but as they progress, this can lead to limping, erosion of cartilage, bone remodeling, and significant pain.
The signs: What do I need to watch out for?
Dogs have a world of ways they communicate how they’re feeling – and that manifests itself in obvious physical symptoms as well as subtle behavioral signs that a Pet Loyalist like yourself is going to notice at first.
Let’s start with the clear signals:
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They’re less nimble than they used to be – you might find your pet is stiffer or slower getting out of bed, or suddenly a bit clumsy in their movements.
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Certain things get harder – maybe, once upon a time, they couldn’t wait to leap in the back of the car, but now they’re more reluctant. Things like jumping on or off furniture, or going up or down the stairs can get more difficult, and they might be less enthused about chasing balls or going for walks.
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Their motion gets stiffer – as well as an obvious limp, you might spot your dog taking shorter, stiffer steps, or bunny hopping with their back legs.
And then there’s the less obvious things that raise red flags for any dedicated Pet Loyalist.
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They’re grumpier than normal – maybe they’re more prone to whimpering, or they’re warier of unpredictable movements. They might not want to cuddle as much as usual, or flinch when you touch them.
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They’re becoming a restless sleeper – if you’re waking up every hour because your dog is also tossing and turning, that might be a sign their joints are bothering them.
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They love a cool surface – is the coldest floor in the house suddenly their new favorite hangout spot? They might be ‘icing’ their joints.
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Their bodies are changing – It might be a change in muscle mass that you notice when you’re giving them a butt scratch or doing their daily shoulder rub. Or you might notice they’ve put on some extra weight.
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Their incessant licking is driving you mad – Maybe you go to sleep every night accompanied by the steady sound of your pet chewing their paws. If they’re often licking at joints, that can be a sign of pain.
If you feel like something might be wrong, trust your Pet Loyalist instinct. A vet exam, and seeing how they respond to supplementation, are all good next steps.
The solutions: Making your dog more comfortable
The good news is that there are many ways to make life easier for an achy dog. We’re going to break these down into three areas: environment, diet and routine.
1. Give your house a dog-friendly tune-up
Slippery floors are not the friend of dogs with achy joints. Neither are high sofas or bowls on the floor.
To add to your shopping list: carpets and non-slip mats, ramps up to your furniture, heated blankets, orthopedic dog beds and elevated feeders.
If you know your pet has a stiff neck or shoulders, harnesses can be better than collars. And even though a sleeping dog is scientifically recognized as the cutest thing in existence, try to avoid petting, kissing or otherwise pestering them (hard, we know) when they’re asleep.
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Keep an eye on their diet
One of the most powerful ways to support your dog’s joints is through weight management. Every extra pound adds stress to their hips, knees and spine – which can speed up joint wear and make movement uncomfortable. That means feeding a diet that’s calorie-controlled while nutrient dense.
You ideally want to serve them meals rich in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA (eicosapentaeonic acid) and DHA (docosahexaeonic acid) – which help reduce inflammation around the joints. Making sure your pet gets adequate, high quality protein also supports muscle tone and stabilizes joints, while essential amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals contribute to cartilage repair and bone strength.
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Boost their nutrition
Adding in supplements can also be beneficial. Even if your dog isn’t showing signs of discomfort, prevention goes a long way and supplements can nourish cartilage, support flexibility and protect joint health so they’re resilient and ready to keep on jumping, chasing and wagging.
The WellJoy Joint+ supplement is formulated as Dual-Benefit: one formula to support a healthy gut microbiome, and the second formula to help maximize the ingredients that support your dog’s healthy joints. Designed as an all-in-one approach to relieving occasional stiffness and enhancing joint health, our GutBoost biotic blend supports maximum absorption of key ingredients tailored to joint care and mobility: your dog can enjoy a blend of Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM.
What’s more, WellJoy offers Joint+ treats as we know that so much of their daily joy depends on strong, healthy joints. Now, with WellJoy, treat time for your dog is not only delicious, it’s beneficial to their mobility, too.
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Think about routine
Instead of your one, epic, hour-long hike around the neighborhood, embrace smaller, shorter walks – and do them a few times a day if you can. Your dog might still think they’re a puppy, but avoid sudden bursts of energy like fetching and chasing (and that includes chasing the local squirrels).
And for Pet Loyalists that love to go a step further, there are massage techniques that can be incorporated into your pet’s wellbeing routine, as well as laser therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and even PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy).
At WellJoy, we understand that when walks are less of a strain for your dog, life is more enjoyable for you both. WellJoy is designed to be a smart, simple way to provide the wellbeing they deserve; introduce Joint+ for healthy, flexible joints — and more joy for the both of you.
We’re proud to say that all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and verified by a Pet Loyalist team, including a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.
