If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, you’re probably wondering what you can do to ease their pain and help them move more comfortably. While medications and joint supplements often come to mind first, one of the most impactful steps you can take is surprisingly simple: adjusting what and how much your dog eats.
Why Weight Matters in Dogs with Arthritis
An estimated 60% of dogs in the US are overweight or have obesity, which undoubtedly is contributing to the high prevalence of OA pain in dogs (estimated to be around 40% of dogs). What many dog caregivers don’t realize is that excess weight is one of the most powerful contributors to arthritis progression. Excess body fat not only puts added mechanical stress arthritic joints, fat also produces inflammatory substances called adipokines that can worsen joint inflammation and speed up joint damage.
The good news? Studies have shown that even modest weight loss, just 6% to 8% of your dog’s body weight, can significantly reduce lameness and improve quality of life. In some cases, dogs have needed less medication or no medication at all after losing weight.
You may have heard the phrase “you can’t outrun a bad diet?” Just like in humans, the majority of weight loss comes from caloric restriction. While appropriate exercise is important for dogs, ensuring that they are eating the right amount and type of food for them is the best way to achieve weight loss.
Choosing the Right Diet for Your Arthritic Dog
Not all dog foods are created equal when it comes to supporting weight loss and joint health. Here are key things to look for:
1. High Protein, Low Calorie
To lose weight safely, your dog needs fewer calories, but those calories must still meet their nutritional needs. A high-protein diet helps maintain lean muscle mass during weight loss, which is essential for supporting weak joints. Look for diets that provide at least 25% protein on a dry matter basis. Your veterinarian can help you figure out if a diet meets this recommendation as it isn’t always easy to interpret pet food labels.
2. High Fiber for Fullness
Fiber helps your dog feel full while eating fewer calories. Many veterinary therapeutic diets designed for weight loss and joint support are enriched with fiber to reduce hunger between meals.
3. Joint-Supporting Ingredients
Some diets include omega-3 fatty acids (like EPA and DHA from fish oil) which are particularly beneficial; they reduce inflammation and may allow dogs to use fewer NSAIDs. Just be mindful of calories if you’re adding fish oil as a supplement, there are about 45 calories per teaspoon and these can add up quickly since most large breed dogs will need several teaspoons of fish oil. See this article for more on omega 3 fatty acids.
4. Veterinary Therapeutic Diets
For dogs with significant arthritis and/or excess weight, therapeutic diets like Hill’s Metabolic + Mobility, Purina OM + JM, or Royal Canin Satiety Support + Mobility offer carefully balanced nutrition for both goals. These specific diets are formulated for both weight loss and have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids already added, so additional supplementation is not needed.
5. Fresh cooked and “alternative” diet formulations
The best available research supporting weight loss and joint health in dogs has been done using kibble-based foods. But these are not the only options available, and you and your veterinarian may opt for a different diet, such as home-cooked or commercial fresh cooked. These diets can actually be great choices for weight loss or maintenance in dogs that have food allergies or other reasons for which “traditional” diets are not optimal. But it is crucial that you choose a diet that has been formulated by a veterinarian (i.e. The Farmers Dog, Just Food For Dogs) or you work with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a specific diet for your dog that ensures they get the proper nutrients needed to be healthy.
How to Feed for Success
Changing what you feed is important, but how you feed matters too:
Measure Meals: Use a standard measuring cup or kitchen scale–eyeballing or “scooping” leads to overfeeding.
Stick to Set Meal Times: Avoid free-feeding. Offer meals at consistent times and remove uneaten food after 10–15 minutes. Twice a day feeding is generally recommended for adult dogs.
Use Slow Feeders: If your dog eats too quickly, use a slow-feeding bowl or food puzzle to slow them down and add mental enrichment.
Limit Treats: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Choose low-calorie options like carrots, green beans, or small bits of lean meat. Better yet, set aside a portion of their kibble to use as treats throughout the day.
Watch the Extras: Human food, bones, chews, and supplements can sneak in a lot of extra calories. For example, a marrow bone can contain over 800 calories- more than many dogs should eat in an entire day!
Puppies and Seniors: Special Considerations
Growing Dogs: Puppy food must be complete and balanced for growth while avoiding imbalance of calcium and phosphorus. Avoid overfeeding, especially in large breed puppies, as rapid growth and excess weight increase the risk of joint problems later in life. Improper nutrition of growing dogs is unfortunately a common contributor to orthopedic disease. The best recommendation is to feed a puppy food until your pup reaches at least 80% of their expected adult size. For large and giant breeds, feed a large-breed puppy food until they reach skeletal maturity. See this article for more feeding growing dogs.
Senior Dogs: Older dogs need more protein to maintain muscle mass, typically twice as much as adult dogs. However, many older dogs other medical conditions that require protein restriction. Work with your vet to ensure your senior dog’s diet supports both joint and overall health without excess calories.
Final Thought
Feeding an arthritic dog isn’t just about choosing the right bag of kibble. It’s about finding a balanced, high-protein diet that supports weight loss or healthy weight maintenance, while delivering key nutrients to protect their joints. Work with your veterinary team to develop a plan tailored to your dog’s individual needs, and remember, weight management is one of the most powerful tools you have to keep your arthritic dog living comfortably and happily for years to come.