What causes dog arthritis? Can I prevent it and keep joints healthy?

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What causes osteoarthritis in dogs? Can I do anything to prevent it?

Lauren Jones VMD · Accepted Answer

[Osteoarthritis](https://www.petcoach.co/article/arthritis-in-dogs-101-what-you-should-know/) is a common condition in dogs. Under normal circumstances, cartilage lines the ends of bones in a joint to allow the joint to glide smoothly with motion. Osteoarthritis occurs when this articular cartilage wears down, resulting in painful bone-on-bone rubbing as the joint moves. Arthritis often occurs as a degenerative change as dogs age but is more common in dogs with existing or previous joint problems, such as hip dysplasia, luxating patella or cruciate ligament rupture. Osteoarthritis affects approximately one in five dogs over one year of age in the U.S. and is the number one cause of chronic pain in this population. Although arthritis cannot be definitively prevented, keeping your dog at a healthy body weight and maintaining a consistent [low-impact exercise routine](https://www.petcoach.co/article/is-it-ok-to-walk-a-dog-with-arthritis/) are the best ways to keep your dog’s joints healthy. ### Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Galliprant is a registered trademark of Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.

What causes dog arthritis? Can I prevent it and keep joints healthy?

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