Canine Arthritis Matters

In this CAM episode, Evie and Jo introduce a practical, caregiver-focused tool developed by the Canine Arthritis Management team to support one of the biggest challenges discussed throughout March: weight management.

The episode walks through a newly created weight loss tracking pack available in the CAM Member Zone. The aim of the tool is to simplify and structure the weight loss journey for both caregivers and professionals by removing guesswork and creating clear, visible accountability.

The pack includes guidance on body condition scoring, measurement tracking, food diaries, weekly checklists and milestone celebrations. A strong emphasis is placed on making weight management a shared household effort, highlighting how inconsistent feeding habits across family members can quickly derail progress.

The discussion also explores practical, realistic strategies such as enrichment feeding, breaking meals into smaller portions, replacing food with attention, and tracking everything that enters the dog’s mouth. Importantly, the episode reinforces that weight loss is not a short-term fix but a long-term lifestyle shift that must be sustainable.

This episode sits firmly within CAM’s March theme of weight management and provides a highly actionable framework to support caregivers in achieving and maintaining a healthy body condition for their dogs.

Guest Bio

Evie is Head Nurse at Canine Arthritis Management, working closely with both caregivers and veterinary teams to support practical implementation of arthritis management strategies in clinical and home environments.

Jo leads brand and communication at CAM, translating clinical knowledge into accessible tools, resources and campaigns that support caregiver engagement and behavioural change.

Key take homes

1. Weight management requires structure and visibility. Tools like tracking sheets and food diaries help remove guesswork and keep all caregivers aligned.
2. Consistency across the household is critical. Without a shared plan, untracked treats and duplicate feeding can quickly undermine progress.
3. Enrichment feeding is a powerful alternative to traditional feeding, increasing engagement, slowing intake and improving wellbeing without adding calories.
4. Weight loss should be approached as a long-term lifestyle change, not a short-term diet, requiring sustainable habits and realistic routines.
5. Small behavioural shifts, such as tracking all food intake, preparing meals in advance and replacing treats with attention, can have a significant cumulative impact.

Relevant links

CAM Member Zone (includes the weight loss tracking pack)
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/memberzone

Canine Arthritis Management resources
https://caninearthritis.co.uk

CAM online shop (enrichment tools)
https://www.camonlineshop.com

Good Day Bad Day Diary
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/gooddaybadday

Learn more about CAM:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: [email protected]

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this CAM LIVE episode, Esme Howells is joined by Helen Coleman and Victoria Bowes to explore practical, everyday approaches to managing obesity in dogs.

The conversation focuses on realistic strategies caregivers can implement at home, from portion control and feeding habits to enrichment-based approaches that support both physical and mental wellbeing. A key concept discussed is the Delboeuf illusion, demonstrating how bowl size and presentation can influence how much we perceive as an appropriate portion, often leading to unintentional overfeeding.

Helen and Victoria share a range of practical feeding tips and enrichment ideas that can help reduce calorie intake while maintaining satisfaction and engagement for the dog. The episode highlights how small environmental and behavioural adjustments can make a meaningful difference in long-term weight management.

This episode aligns closely with CAM’s focus on weight management, emphasising that sustainable change comes from consistent daily habits rather than short-term interventions.

Original publishing date: September 2020
Video recording: https://youtu.be/ng2j5VwuOSA

Guest Bio

Victoria Bowes is a Veterinary Nursing Course Manager at Moreton Morrell College. She is a qualified veterinary nurse with over 20 years of experience across small animal and emergency practice. Victoria has also contributed to the development of veterinary nursing programmes across multiple awarding institutions.

Helen Coleman is a lecturer and subject leader for animal-related degree courses at Moreton Morrell College. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Animal Welfare and Management and previously worked in pet retail before moving into education. With over 13 years of teaching experience, her focus is on promoting responsible pet ownership and shaping future professionals in the animal sector.

Key take homes

1. Obesity management often starts with human perception, and tools like the Delboeuf illusion highlight how easily portion sizes can be misjudged.
2. Small environmental changes, such as bowl size and feeding presentation, can significantly influence feeding behaviour and calorie intake.
3. Enrichment feeding is a powerful tool, helping to slow intake, increase mental stimulation and improve satiety without increasing calories.
4. Sustainable weight management depends on consistent daily habits rather than restrictive short-term diets.
5. Educating caregivers on practical, realistic strategies is key to achieving and maintaining a healthy body condition in dogs.

Relevant links

The Management of Pet Obesity book
https://www.5mbooks.com/the-management-of-pet-obesity.html

Learn more about CAM:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: [email protected]

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this CAM LIVE episode, Hannah Capon speaks with veterinary physiotherapy researcher Heli Hyytiäinen about the growing recognition of obesity in dogs as a major welfare issue. Alongside dental disease and osteoarthritis, excess weight is now understood to be one of the most significant health challenges affecting companion animals.

The discussion explores why obesity is far more than a cosmetic concern or a simple co-morbidity risk for conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Excess adipose tissue acts as a metabolically active organ, producing pro-inflammatory mediators that contribute directly to the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

Heli highlights emerging research showing that obese dogs may accumulate lipid droplets within muscles, tendons and ligaments, affecting tissue performance and recovery capacity. These physiological changes can alter biomechanics, reduce efficiency of movement and exacerbate joint disease. Studies comparing lean and obese dogs demonstrate that stride length is often shorter in overweight animals, while joint range of motion can appear increased due to compensatory movement patterns.

Whether a dog currently has arthritis or not, maintaining a lean body condition is one of the most powerful preventative strategies for long-term musculoskeletal health.

Publishing date: May 2020 https://youtu.be/7buqnkeqovE

Guest Bio

Heli Hyytiäinen graduated as a physiotherapist in 2000 and completed her Finnish specialization in Animal Physiotherapy in 2003. Since then she has worked exclusively with animal patients. She earned a Master of Science in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 and completed her PhD at the University of Helsinki in 2015. She founded and developed the physiotherapy department at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Helsinki, where she continues to combine clinical work with research. She lectures internationally on animal physiotherapy, teaches within Finnish animal physiotherapy specialization programmes and is an honorary lecturer for the MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy programme at the University of Liverpool.

Key take homes

1. Obesity in dogs is now recognised as a major welfare concern alongside dental disease and osteoarthritis.
2. Adipose tissue is metabolically active and releases inflammatory mediators that contribute directly to the progression of arthritis.
3. Obesity affects musculoskeletal tissues beyond joints, with lipid deposits identified in muscles, tendons and ligaments that impair function and recovery.
4. Biomechanical differences exist between lean and obese dogs, including shorter stride lengths and altered joint movement patterns.
5. Even modest weight loss of around 6–9 percent body weight can lead to measurable improvements in lameness and mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Relevant links

Evaluation of gait-related variables in lean and obese dogs at a trot
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236579229_Evaluation_of_gait-related_variables_in_lean_and_obese_dogs_at_a_trot

The effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20237844/

How obesity modifies tendons
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241419/

Canine Arthritis Management resources
https://caninearthritis.co.uk

Good Day Bad Day Diary
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/gooddaybadday

Learn more about CAM:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: [email protected]

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this CAM LIVE, Hannah Capon speaks with leading veterinary obesity researcher Alex German about one of the most significant health challenges affecting companion animals today: excess body weight. With more than 50 percent of pet dogs now classified as overweight or obese, the discussion highlights why this issue has become a welfare concern of epidemic proportions.

Alex provides an overview of the scale of the obesity problem in dogs, the key factors contributing to weight gain, and the strong association between obesity and musculoskeletal disease, particularly osteoarthritis. The conversation explores how excess weight increases mechanical strain on joints while also driving systemic inflammation that worsens pain and mobility problems.
The discussion then moves to practical strategies for safe and sustainable weight management. Alex explains why gradual, controlled weight loss is essential and how long term success depends on building consistent feeding routines, managing treats, and supporting caregivers in maintaining healthy habits for their dogs.
The episode also considers whether particular food groups can influence weight loss and long term weight control, and discusses preventative approaches that can help stop obesity developing in the first place.

Original publishing date: January 2021
Facebook Live recording: https://youtu.be/-h7Bf44QGtw

Guest Bio

Alex German is Royal Canin Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Liverpool. He is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, a recognised specialist in internal medicine with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

His main clinical and research interest is the prevention and management of obesity in companion animals. For more than fifteen years he has run the Royal Canin Weight Management Clinic at the University of Liverpool, a specialist clinic dedicated to improving the quality of life of overweight pets through clinical excellence, research and education.

Key takehomes

1. More than half of pet dogs are now overweight or obese, making excess weight one of the most common and serious health concerns in companion animals.
2. Obesity is strongly linked with musculoskeletal disease, including osteoarthritis, increasing both joint loading and systemic inflammation that contributes to chronic pain.
3. Safe weight loss must be gradual and carefully managed to protect health and improve the chances of maintaining weight loss long term.
4. Successful weight management relies on behaviour change for both dogs and caregivers, including portion control, consistent feeding routines and careful management of treats.
5. Prevention is critical. Monitoring growth in young dogs and recognising weight gain early can significantly reduce the likelihood of obesity developing later in life.

Relevant links

Study on food consumption and osteoarthritis in dogs
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/217/11/javma.2000.217.1678.xml

Waltham Puppy Growth Charts
https://www.waltham.com/resources/puppy-growth-charts

CAM Member Zone
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/memberzone

Good Day Bad Day Diary
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/gooddaybadday

Learn more about CAM:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: [email protected]

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah Capon speaks with Arielle Griffiths about one of the biggest yet most under-recognised drivers of chronic pain in dogs: excess weight.

The discussion explores why weight conversations are so emotionally and professionally difficult, why obesity remains under-acknowledged by caregivers, and how early identification of unhealthy weight trajectories could dramatically change the future of osteoarthritis in dogs.

Together they unpack the landmark Purina lifetime feeding study, behavioural and social barriers to weight management, and the ways nutritional choices influence inflammation, mobility and long-term pain. Arielle also shares her unconventional career journey into plant-based nutrition, the realities of trying to run a weight-loss clinic with no uptake, and what she now teaches caregivers about simple, achievable nutritional changes.

This episode sits squarely within CAM’s March theme: weight management. Recognising unhealthy weight early and supporting caregivers with realistic, sustainable strategies is one of the most powerful ways we can reduce osteoarthritis risk and improve long-term comfort.

Bio

Arielle Griffiths is a UK veterinarian, environmentalist and founder of a plant-based pet nutrition company. After 25 years in first-opinion practice, a confronting day at the PDSA led her to re-evaluate the scale of the obesity epidemic and its connection to chronic disease.

She retrained extensively in nutrition, developed a strong interest in plant-based formulations, and now works exclusively online supporting caregivers in managing weight, digestive disease and inflammatory conditions through practical, achievable nutritional changes.

Key takehomes

1. Weight is one of the strongest risk modifiers for osteoarthritis, yet it remains under-identified and under-discussed in clinical practice.
2. Caregivers often cannot recognise overweight animals; the perception gap between what owners believe and clinical reality is substantial.
3. Lifelong lean management dramatically delays OA onset, reduces severity and extends life expectancy; identification must happen early, ideally in puppyhood.
4. Behavioural, emotional and social factors make weight-related conversations difficult; empathy, permission and simple actionable steps are essential.
5. Even small nutritional changes and replacing inflammatory treats with whole-food alternatives can produce measurable improvements in comfort and mobility.

Relevant links

Arielle’s online nutritional consultations
https://justbekind.co.uk

Purina lifetime feeding study (overview)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16549482/

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)
https://petobesityprevention.org

General CAM resources
https://caninearthritis.co.uk

Good Day / Bad Day Diary (CAM Member Zone)
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/memberzone

Suspicion of Chronic Pain Document
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/suspecting-arthritis

Learn more about CAM:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: [email protected]

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.