Joint problems are common in dogs and cats, particularly as they age, but they can affect pets at any life stage. Conditions involving the joints can cause pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and gradual changes in behaviour that are often mistaken for normal ageing.
This page brings together veterinary information, educational resources, and products commonly used to support joint health and mobility. It is designed to help pet owners understand how joint problems develop, how they are typically managed, and when veterinary assessment is important.
Information on this page does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Joint-related problems often develop gradually. Some pets show obvious signs such as limping, difficulty rising, reluctance to jump, or stiffness after rest. Others show more subtle changes, including reduced activity, altered gait, behavioural changes, or decreased willingness to exercise or play.
Cats in particular may show very subtle signs, such as changes in jumping behaviour, grooming patterns, or litter tray use. Because signs can progress slowly, joint disease is often under-recognised until discomfort becomes significant.
Joint disease can arise from a range of causes, including normal age-related degeneration, developmental conditions, previous injury, body weight, genetics, and activity levels. In some cases, inflammation or instability within the joint leads to progressive wear and pain over time.
Even pets that appear otherwise healthy can develop joint disease. Early changes are not always visible on the outside, and pain may be present before obvious mobility issues develop.
Effective management depends on understanding the underlying cause, the joints involved, and the individual pet’s lifestyle and health status.
Management of joint disease typically focuses on pain control, maintaining mobility, slowing disease progression, and supporting overall quality of life. This may involve weight management, controlled exercise, physical therapy, medical management, and long-term supportive care.
In many cases, joint disease is managed over time rather than cured. Veterinary guidance is important to ensure that treatment plans are appropriate, adjusted as the condition changes, and safe for the individual pet.
Mobility support works best when pain, body weight, exercise, home setup, and medical safety are considered together. Supplements and mobility diets may be helpful, but they are only one part of a plan for a sore or slowing pet.
A practical guide to recognising pain, supporting mobility, and knowing when arthritis needs a more complete plan.
Read why subtle pain signs are easy to explain away and what owners can watch for at home.
Watch our discussion of common assumptions about pain and why quiet pets may still be uncomfortable.
Extra weight can make arthritis and mobility problems harder to manage, even when weight gain seems gradual.
Joint diets, omega oils, supplements, and mobility-support products may help some pets move more comfortably when they are part of a broader plan. They are most useful alongside appropriate weight control, sensible exercise, pain assessment, and follow-up.
Products should not delay veterinary care when your pet is limping, struggling to rise, reluctant to jump, crying, hiding, dragging a limb, suddenly unable to walk, or changing behaviour because movement hurts. Pain relief, diagnostics, and tailored medication may be needed before home support can do its job well.
Prescription Diet k/d + Mobility is clinical nutrition to help protect vital kidney function and support mobility in dogs
Hill's Science Diet Healthy Mobility Adult dry dog food contains advanced nutrition shown to support joint health and mobility in 30 days (Hill's data on file, 2003)
Hill's Science Diet Healthy Mobility Large Breed dry dog food contains advanced nutrition shown to support joint health and improve mobility in 30 days.
ROYAL CANIN® MOBILITY C2P+ DRY is a complete diet for adult dogs.
If your pet is slowing down, stiff after rest, avoiding stairs, or no longer doing things they used to enjoy, talk to us. Small changes in a mobility plan can make daily life much more comfortable.
Useful when mobility changes are part of a wider ageing picture involving weight, appetite, thirst, behaviour, or comfort.
Practical home-care support for older pets, chronic conditions, activity restriction, and quality-of-life planning.
A service page focused on pain and arthritis in older pets, including signs that can be easy to miss.
