Big dogs and their joints: The arthritis connection

If you're lucky enough to be the parent (or soon to be) of a large or giant breed puppy, congratulations!

Big dogs are often known for their loyalty and gentle demeanors. With proper care and training, these gentle giants can make a great addition to families. Not to mention, who can dispute the joy of sharing a warm cuddle with a giant pup that thinks its a lap dog?

But along with size come some unlucky joint problems.

Big dogs are more susceptible to joint problems

Large and giant breed dogs are at a greater risk for developing joint issues that can lead to arthritis as they age. Specifically, we're talking about dogs that weigh more than 55 pounds at their adult size (large breeds), and dogs that weigh more than 99 pounds (giant breeds), like:

• Labradors
• German Shepherds
• Rottweilers
• Golden Retrievers
• Akitas
• Great Danes
• Saint Bernards
• Newfoundlands
• Mastiffs

The good news is, there are things you can do early on — when your big bundle of joy is just a puppy — to help keep its joints healthy.

The first step is to understand why large and giant breed dogs are prone to joint problems.

The arthritis connection

Let's start with a little background on canine arthritis. Also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD), this condition affects many of our beloved four-legged friends.

In fact, at least 20% of dogs over one year old have some form of arthritis. And as they age, close to 80% will have some degree of this painful disease.

A variety of things can contribute to canine arthritis, including genetics, trauma, obesity and overuse injuries.

But a common cause of arthritis in dogs is developmental orthopedic disease, or DOD. As its name suggests, DOD is the general term for conditions caused by abnormal development of the joints. Problems like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia fall under the category of DOD.

Now, you may be asking yourself, what does this have to do with my large breed puppy?

Plenty. Because, as it turns out, size is one of the biggest risk factors for joint problems in dogs. To understand why, let's take a look at how puppies grow.

All baby pups go through growth spurts. During these periods, their growth plates — the areas of cartilage at the ends of their long bones — remain soft and vulnerable to injury. The longer the growth spurts last, the more opportunities there are for injuries.

In small dogs, growth spurts usually stop at around 12 months of age. But for large and giant breed dogs, growth spurts can last for about 18 months. That gives your energetic pup an extra six months or so to sustain injuries.

What can you do to help prevent joint problems in your dog?

Two things …

1. Don't free-feed. While it might seem easier to let your puppy feed whenever it wants throughout the day, resist the temptation.

   Here's why …
   Foods for puppies are high in calories and fat to support healthy growth. Free-feeding can easily lead to overfeeding and rapid weight gain. When a puppy's weight increases too fast, its bone development can't keep up to support the weight. This imbalance leads to skeletal damage which, in turn, can lead to decreased bone density.

   Bottom line is, you could end up with an overweight puppy with weak bones and joint problems down the road.

   Do this instead …
   First, make sure your puppy's diet is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of large and giant breeds. They're less energy-dense, which lowers the risk of overfeeding.

   As for how much food your puppy should be eating each day, check with your veterinarian. Then, divide the total amount into two or three portions throughout the day.

2. Don't supplement. You may be tempted to boost nutrition with vitamin supplements. But, it's best to stay away from them.

   Here's why …
   Studies suggest a link between mineral imbalances and developmental orthopedic disease (DOD). Commercial foods for large and giant breed puppies are formulated to provide a proper balance of vitamins and minerals for proper growth.

   Adding supplements to your puppy's diet can lead to too high of an intake of calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients, in excess, have been linked to an increased risk for DOD.

   Do this instead …
   Stick with a commercially made diet appropriate for your dog's age and breed. If you feed your puppy a homemade diet, talk with your veterinarian to make sure your recipe includes the correct balance of nutrients.

   By doing these things — providing a calorie-restricted diet and avoiding supplements — you can help reduce the risk and severity of arthritis and other diseases in your large breed pup. However, if you think your dog might be suffering from joint problems for any reason, call your veterinarian right away for an evaluation and treatment options.