Dog with knee pain? Possible causes and 6 treatment methods
Does your dog suffer from knee pain? If so, you’ll no doubt want to help your beloved pet as best you can. To do that, it’s important to know what’s causing the pain, so that you also know how to tackle the cause. Here you can read all about what you can do to help your dog!
Possible causes of knee pain in dogs
Knee pain in dogs can have many different causes. Usually, the main difference lies in whether it is an injury or a chronic condition. These are common causes of knee pain:
- Torn or damaged cruciate ligament
- Patellar luxation
- Trauma such as a fall or jump
- Overuse
- Irritation of ligaments and tendons
- Age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis
To help your dog properly, it is important to identify the cause. This will enable you to prevent further damage and know what adjustments to make to avoid putting further strain on the knee.
When should you visit the vet?
Visit the vet if the lameness occurs for no apparent reason or if the dog can no longer stand properly on the leg. It is also important to consult the vet if the symptoms persist for days, get worse, the knee swells up or feels warm, or are accompanied by severe pain.

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How to help a dog with knee pain: 6 tips
1. Ensure a little more rest for a while
Avoid running, jumping and sudden movements as much as possible. Opt for quiet, short walks for the time being. This will keep the knee moving and supple whilst preventing overexertion.
2. Adjust the surface indoors and outdoors
It’s important to temporarily prevent extra pressure on the knee. For example, use a non-slip mat if the dog often slips, and ensure your pet has a soft surface to lie on.
3. Use heat or cold
In the event of acute symptoms, it is important to cool the area quickly to prevent swelling. Furthermore, in the case of long-term symptoms, heat can actually help to relax the area slightly more.
4. Keep your dog’s weight under control
Being overweight puts a lot of pressure on the knee, and this can worsen wear and tear and pain. A healthy weight is therefore important for recovery, but also to prevent symptoms.
5. Do supervised exercises or physiotherapy
Do specific exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve stability. It is important to do this in consultation with a professional, such as a vet or veterinary physiotherapist, to ensure you are performing the correct supportive exercises.
6. Use supportive aids
Use temporary supportive aids such as a harness instead of a collar or a support bandage. This will give the knee some extra stability.
Use red light therapy
Red light therapy for your dog can help support the recovery process and relieve pain. These days, you can easily do this yourself at home, for example with the PowerCure Pro laser.

How does red light therapy help with knee pain in dogs?
Red light therapy stimulates the cells in the knee to produce more energy (ATP). This supports the body’s natural healing process. It also improves blood flow in the area, ensuring a better supply of oxygen and nutrients to the joint. This results in less stiffness, a more supple feeling, reduced inflammation and less pain.
Red light therapy is often used for dogs as a complementary treatment alongside rest and any other treatments.
PowerCure red light therapy for dogs
The PowerCure Pro is a red light therapy device that can help with your dog’s knee pain. There are many positive experiences from dogs with various complaints and conditions who use this laser. Furthermore, PowerCure is not only suitable for dogs, but also for other animals and people. So you can help the whole household with just one device!