Osteoarthritis in Dogs—Effect of Diet

Abstract

The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis in dogs involves genetic factors and environmental factors that elicit or accelerate cartilage damage, promoting degenerative changes. Excessive body weight is a risk factor for development of osteoarthritis in canines. Obesity may result in osteoarthritis as a result of excess forces placed on joints and articular cartilage, which may lead to inactivity and further development of obesity; thus, a vicious cycle ensues. Osteoarthritis cannot be cured and management aims at the relief of pain through reduction of inflammatory reactions and further breakdown of cartilage. Weight management is beneficial in the management of osteoarthritis. Over a long period of time, the association of osteoarthritis with nutrition in small animal medicine has been a center of study. This paper focuses on the role of diet and nutritional modification in the management of osteoarthritis in dogs. Various nutritional components capable of modifying the inflammation are discussed.