Companion Animals

Companion Dog Chronic Pain Recognition and Management

Chronic pain in dogs is underrecognised and undertreated, causing prolonged suffering.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects 20-35% of dogs in the general population
Dogs rarely vocalise chronic pain as they do acute pain
Subtle signs including reduced activity and changed posture are often attributed to ageing
Multimodal pain management including medication, physiotherapy, and weight management is most effective

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with undertreated chronic pain experience daily suffering that reduces their quality of life profoundly — they become less mobile, less social, and less playful, often in ways owners attribute to normal ageing rather than treatable pain. Evidence-based pain assessment tools and regular mobility monitoring allow earlier intervention and more effective management.

What You Can Do

Monitor your dog's mobility and activity level regularly
Discuss pain assessment tools with your vet for older dogs
Maintain healthy body weight as one of the best pain prevention measures
Advocate for canine pain management to be taught routinely in veterinary training