Fueling Mobility: Integrating Nutrition Into the Management of Osteoarthritis in Aging Pets

Sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition

Nutrition isn’t an add-on in osteoarthritis care—it’s foundational. In her session at the 2025 Hill’s Global Symposium, Dr. Julie Churchill explored how body condition, protein needs, and diet quality can influence mobility and long-term joint health. Get the highlights from Dr. Beth here.

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Transcript

When we think about mobility and osteoarthritis in aging pets, nutrition shouldn’t be considered an add-on—it’s foundational. One of the most powerful tools we have in veterinary medicine to extend health span, not just lifespan, is maintaining an ideal body weight and body condition score.

Studies show that even modest extra weight dramatically increases OA risk. Dogs maintained at a lean body condition—around 4.5 to 5 out of 9—are known to have significantly lower rates of arthritis and better mobility, and on average, they tend to live longer, healthier lives. In fact, health risks jump sharply once a pet exceeds a BCS of 6.5, underscoring that “a little overweight” is not benign.

And this doesn’t start when pets are seniors—it starts early. Preventing weight gain in young and adult pets is far more effective than trying to reverse obesity later, when joint disease is already established.

As pets age, their energy needs decline due to loss of lean muscle mass, yet protein requirements actually increase to help preserve muscle and reduce sarcopenia. This makes diet selection critical—because not all foods marketed for senior pets actually meet the needs of senior pets.

And when using supplements or nutraceuticals for joint health, quality matters. Products should come from trusted manufacturers with proven formulations, consistency, and bioavailability—whether delivered through enriched diets or targeted supplementation.

For a deeper dive into how nutrition can help support mobility across patient lifespan, check out this session with Dr. Julie Churchill, titled Fueling Mobility: Integrating Nutrition Into Management of Osteoarthritis in Aging Pets, from the 2025 Hill’s Global Symposium. Watch it at the link!