Updated: August 10, 2021
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for arthritis.
We’ve compared quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money
to give you our top recommendations below.
Breed Advisor only recommends products that we’ve tested, or significantly researched . This page contains affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission for the site. Find out more here.
Arthritis is a common condition, especially in older dogs. If your dog has arthritis, your vet will discuss treatment options with you, as well as the best diet for your dog. Here are some things to consider when choosing a diet for an arthritic dog:
If your dog is carrying excess weight, this will put added pressure on the joints and exacerbate any inflammation already present. Weight loss, followed by maintaining a healthy weight, can dramatically improve your dog’s symptoms.
Look for a diet with added fiber, around 15% crude fiber, as dry matter. Fiber helps your dog to feel full so controls their appetite, while also supporting gut health. L-carnitine and L-lysine (amino acids) in the diet help dogs to burn fat while maintaining muscle mass. Muscles are important for supporting the joints. Ensure you are feeding the correct amount. You need to feed for your dog’s target weight, rather than their actual weight.
There are many nutraceuticals that can benefit dogs with arthritis. Choosing a diet with added glucosamine and chondroitin provides the body with the nutrients it needs to maintain healthy joints, since glucosamine and chondroitin are the building blocks of joint cartilage. Look for added omega 3s such as EPA, or a source of omega 3s such as salmon, as these can have anti-inflammatory benefits. Diets with added green lipped mussel may also reduce inflammation, while the inclusion of antioxidants can stop free radicals from damaging the joint further.
Most dogs with arthritis are seniors, so it’s important to also consider other age-related health conditions. Diets with controlled levels of high-quality protein, calcium, phosphorous and sodium help to support aging organs, such as the kidneys.
Remember to always consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature that’s most important to you.
34%
16%
4%
30%
12%
4%
24%
12%
5.5%
26%
18%
3.8%
30%
12%
17%
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original is a top quality diet that has been fortified with all of the nutrients dogs need to combat the effects of aging and arthritis. A high protein food, Wellness CORE Grain-Free takes deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal as its primary ingredients, ensuring a powerhouse punch of amino acids to support healthy muscles.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free, one of the best dog foods for arthritis, includes both glucosamine and chondroitin in its formulation to encourage joint health. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids have also been enriched to promote excellent quality coat and skin.
Each piece of kibble has been enrobed with a probiotic blend to provide support for digestion. Wellness CORE Grain-Free contains no by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
For owners looking for the best food for dogs with arthritis, it’s hard to go wrong with Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Joint Mobility. A prescription diet designed specifically to address the needs of dogs with joint-related pain, this food formulation is well renowned for its exceptional flavor that keeps dogs coming back for more.
This diet was created by a panel of leading nutritionists, researchers, and veterinarians to ensure its nutritional quality and ability to boost joint health in dogs with arthritis. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Joint Mobility contains a high protein to calories percentage to assist with the development of lean muscle mass to take pressure off joints and help dogs achieve a healthy body weight.
Included in this recipe are ample servings of omega 3 fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, and Vitamin E to help keep joints limber and functioning optimally.
Dogswell Happy Hips earns high marks for its top tier formulation that provides an excellent support for mobility and joint health. One of the best foods for arthritis on the market today, Dogswell Happy Hips is a protein-rich food that lists whole chicken as its main ingredient. This powerhouse meat ensures ample servings of amino acids to fuel strong and healthy muscles.
The antioxidant profile of this food is enriched through the addition of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables that encourage good digestion and a healthy immune system. Glucosamine and chondroitin have also been included in this diet as a vital help with joint health.
This diet, among the best dog foods for arthritis, is free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
VICTOR Purpose Performance Formula, rated one of the best dog foods for arthritis, offers families top tier nutrition and value for their dog food dollar. A diet that is rich in protein, VICTOR Performance contains beef meal, chicken meal, and pork meal, ensuring ample portions of amino acids to support a healthy body.
This formulation includes glucosamine and chondroitin, important helps in achieving and maintaining optimal joint function.
A prescription diet considered to be one of the best dog foods for arthritis, Blue Buffalo’s Weight Management + Mobility Support Dog Food is an excellent choice for owners looking to help their dogs maintain a healthy weight and excellent mobility. This high quality food is rich in dietary fiber to support fluid digestion and help provide dogs with the eating satisfaction they need for weight loss.
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are included to encourage coat and skin health, and glucosamine and chondroitin have also been supplemented, ensuring additional help for dogs to enjoy excellent mobility even into advanced age.
This food contains no grains, making it an excellent choice for dogs suffering from food sensitivities.
Most dogs will develop arthritis at some point in their lifetime, hopefully, not until they are in an advanced stage of life. Arthritis affects dogs to various degrees and can range from mild discomfort to complete debilitation. Thankfully, modern medicine has equipped owners with the ability to help their dogs find relief through supplements, pain medications, and even diet.
Dogs suffering from mobility issues or arthritis may exhibit a number of different symptoms. These can include stiffness of limbs, limping, or even the favoring of a particular leg. Many dogs suffering from moderate to severe arthritis start to require assistance jumping on and of furniture, tackling stairs, and will even start to avoid having to get up and down if possible. Dogs in advanced stages of arthritis will often sleep far more frequently than what would typically be the norm for them.
As arthritis begins to accelerate in the body, a dog may begin to show a different gait when walking, an obvious attempt to avoid having to move stiff or sore legs. However, it is important to note that it is not just arthritis that can cause dogs discomfort with their joints. Other common problems affecting mobility include hip and elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, cancer, and even accidents and injuries.
Dogs that are carrying excess weight are also likely to experience more joint pain. The best course of action to assist with this is to help the dog to shed a few extra pounds. When a dog is overweight, the cartilage that separates the bones begins to wear away causing friction between the bones, a problem that is extremely painful.
There are several different supplements that owners can offer their dogs to help provide relief from arthritis. In addition to helping to alleviate current symptoms, these powerhouse nutrients can also act as preventative medicines, helping to preserve joint health. The best supplements owners can give their dogs to help stave off arthritis and other joint-related problems are:
Since arthritis is essentially joint pain caused by inflammation, there are several common symptoms that can alert owners that their dogs may now have compromised joint function. These include:
Arthritis is a condition that is common to many breeds. However, it is not exclusively restricted to one breed over another. There are several different factors that can lead to the development of arthritis in dogs. Among the most common precursors to arthritis are:
There are several things that owners can do to help prevent the onset of arthritis in their dogs. Joints must be moved regularly to prevent stiffness from setting in. This means that regular exercise is important to maintaining mobility in dogs. Exercise serves an additional helpful purpose in that dogs that are active are more likely to be at a healthy body weight, an important factor in joint health.
Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin fed even while a dog is yet young can provide a vital support in maintaining mobility and preventing arthritis. Diet is also important. High quality nutrition encourages optimal wellness in dogs, enabling them to have the energy required to remain mobile. The best dog foods for arthritis often contain beneficial supplements to support optimal joint health.
Determining how much of the best dog food for arthritis to feed a dog can be a bit of a puzzle. Overfeeding can easily lead to weight gain, the enemy of any owner determined to help their dog avoid arthritis. For this reason, free feeding is strongly discouraged.
The best course of action is using the suggested serving sizes printed on the bag of food as a starting point. These can be adjusted accordingly until the correct body condition is easily maintained with the daily portions presented to the dog. As the dog ages, these will need to be amended to reflect a lifestyle that is less active.
Adult dogs require a diet that contains a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. By comparison, puppy food should be comprised of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat with slightly higher amounts of each also desirable.
When selecting the best dog food for arthritis, it is important to take into account the dog’s age and health condition. Some foods are best to address preserving joint health in younger dogs while others provide help for arthritis that has already taken root in older canines. It is important to select the correct food to receive the greatest benefits.
There are several vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that can provide a great support for joint health. These include such items as creatine, MSM, and Vitamin C, natural ingredients that help reduce inflammation and boost cartilage quality.
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids help to keep joints well lubricated to improve mobility. These are best obtained from animal sources such as chicken fat or oily fish. In addition to encouraging joint health, these essential fatty acids fuel dogs’ energy reserves and help with coat and skin quality.
Carbohydrates can be taken from whole grains or fruits and vegetables. The main priority of any carbohydrate is its nutritional value. The best carbs are rich in both fiber and antioxidants to encourage a strong immune system and good digestion. Since grains can be related to inflammation, foods with a lower emphasis on these items are preferable for dogs with arthritis.
Protein is the foundation of any excellent quality diet. Lean, whole meats are preferred; however, meat meals are also excellent sources of protein. By-products and plant-based proteins such as corn, soy, and wheat should be avoided for their nutritional value.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a dog food for arthritis:
