🧡 More rugs, less drugs.

Arthritis isn’t just a joint problem.

It’s a progressive, non-curative condition — but one that can be managed well with the right approach.

Arthritis causes the body to adapt and compensate over time, leading to overload of joints, muscles, and soft tissues. And it’s not just physical — arthritis also affects how a dog feels, thinks, and behaves.

Physical Effects Pain leads to off-loading of painful areas Under-use of some muscles and over-use of others Muscle guarding Compensatory movement patterns.png

🧠 Behaviour & the Mind

Arthritis doesn’t only affect the body — it affects the mind.

Owners and behaviourists often notice the first signs:

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Avoidance

• Changes in behaviour

Arthritis is linked to a reduced lifespan and is one of the leading causes of elective euthanasia, second only to cancer.

Behavioural change, including aggression, is often pain related, not “bad behaviour”.

🦴 Physical Effects of Arthritis

Pain leads to:

• Off-loading painful areas