How Much Does It Cost to Treat Arthritis in Dogs in 2025?

Bringing a dog or puppy into your family is a long-term commitment, involving the responsibility for their health and ongoing care expenses. One of the most common conditions affecting senior dogs is arthritis, a chronic issue requiring continuous management that can impact lifetime spending.

Dog arthritis is irreversible but can be kept under control with customized treatments that focus on easing pain, preserving mobility, and slowing down its progression. The cost of managing arthritis can vary widely depending on factors such as your dog’s size, the severity of the condition, and the therapies your veterinarian recommends.

Effective arthritis care aims to improve your dog's comfort and quality of life using a combination of treatments and lifestyle adaptations. For mild arthritis, changes like specialized diets and maintaining a healthy weight may suffice. In more advanced cases, pain medications, physical therapy, or hydrotherapy might be necessary.

Common arthritis treatments and their typical U.S. costs

• Diet and weight management: Keeping your dog at a healthy weight reduces stress on joints and is the most budget-friendly step to managing arthritis.
• Pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as carprofen or Deramaxx usually cost between $10 and $100 monthly, depending on the dosage and the size of your dog.
• Joint supplements: Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin generally range from $10 to $70 a month; however, their effectiveness can vary from one dog to another.
• Physical and aquatic therapy: Sessions for physiotherapy or hydrotherapy fall between $30 and $75 each, and they help enhance joint function and reduce discomfort.
• Advanced procedures: Surgery, including total hip replacement, may be required in severe arthritis cases and typically costs between $3,500 and $7,000 per hip. Newer regenerative treatments such as stem cell injections or laser therapy can also add to expenses.

Costs scale with your dog's size — for example, managing arthritis in a 22-pound Beagle might cost just a few dollars daily for basic care, whereas a larger breed like a 110-pound Rottweiler could see daily expenses of $4 to $15+ for more intensive treatment regimens.

Long-term arthritis care can add up to thousands of dollars annually, which can be a financial strain for many dog owners. Fortunately, many pet insurance plans cover arthritis treatment, though policies often have exclusions or limits regarding pre-existing conditions and coverage duration.

Pet insurance and arthritis management options in the U.S.

Most U.S. pet insurance policies provide coverage for arthritis-related veterinarian visits, diagnostics, prescription medicines, and complementary treatments such as hydrotherapy. Key considerations include:

• Pre-existing arthritis is commonly excluded from coverage.
• Coverage limits often exist per condition, typically ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, with some policies imposing a time limit per claim.
• Monthly premiums for accident and illness plans average around $56 to $67, with deductibles and copays also factoring into out-of-pocket costs.

Choosing a policy that offers sufficient chronic condition coverage is crucial to help manage expenses associated with arthritis treatments over time.

Preventing and delaying arthritis in dogs

While it’s impossible to completely prevent arthritis—since genetics and aging play significant roles—there are proactive measures you can take to reduce risk or delay its onset:

• Selecting breeds responsibly and verifying health screenings such as hip and elbow evaluations before adoption.
• Protecting young dogs’ joints by reducing strenuous activities like excessive stair climbing or jumping during puppyhood.
• Maintaining an optimal weight through balanced diet and consistent, low-impact exercise.
• Scheduling regular veterinary check-ups to catch joint issues early and intervene promptly.
• Modifying the home environment with features like ramps and non-slip surfaces to decrease joint stress.

Implementing these strategies helps promote joint health and may decrease the severity of arthritis later in life.

Frequently asked questions about arthritis costs and care

How much does it cost to treat arthritis in dogs daily?

In brief: Depending on your dog's size and the complexity of treatment, daily arthritis management expenses typically range from a couple of dollars to about $15 or more.

For smaller breeds such as Beagles, daily costs for arthritis care are generally lower. Larger breeds like Rottweilers require higher medication dosages and more intensive treatments, which increase daily expenses.

What are the best treatments for canine arthritis currently?

In brief: American veterinarians generally recommend a multimodal approach, involving NSAIDs, newer therapies such as Librela injections, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, weight management, and client education.

This strategy tackles pain reduction, joint functionality, and enhances quality of life, tailoring care to each dog's condition and response.

Does pet insurance cover arthritis treatment for dogs?

In brief: Many U.S. pet insurance policies cover arthritis-related treatments, but pre-existing conditions are usually excluded. Limits on coverage amounts or claim durations often apply.

Select a plan with lifetime or maximum benefit options to help manage long-term arthritis costs, and carefully review terms for any exclusions before purchasing.

How can I prevent arthritis in my dog?

In brief: Preventing arthritis involves responsible breeding practices, maintaining a healthy weight, guarding against injuries in young dogs, regular exercise, and scheduled veterinary visits.

By protecting your dog's joints early and managing risk factors, you can delay the onset of arthritis and improve their wellbeing as they age.

Conclusion

Managing arthritis in dogs ranges from affordable approaches like weight control and diet to costly interventions including medications, physical therapy, and surgery. Expenses can vary greatly according to your dog’s size, arthritis severity, and treatment plan, potentially reaching several thousand dollars annually in extreme cases.

Pet insurance can help offset some of these costs but requires thorough policy selection to cover chronic conditions adequately. Preventive care emphasizing weight management, joint protection, and early veterinary involvement provides the best opportunity to delay arthritis and enhance your dog’s comfort.

Choosing reputable breeders and understanding arthritis risks further supports responsible ownership and helps improve outcomes for aging dogs living with this common ailment.