Osteoarthritis is one of the most common and undertreated chronic pain conditions in companion dogs. Recognising the signs and accessing appropriate treatment dramatically improves affected dogs quality of life.
Canine arthritis is a major welfare issue hiding in plain sight. Because dogs are stoic and mask chronic pain, many owners interpret reduced activity in their older dog as normal ageing rather than treatable pain. An arthritic dog may be experiencing constant background pain for years without appropriate management. Recognition requires active looking for subtle behavioural changes — reduced enthusiasm for walks, altered gait, difficulty rising, or changed sleep positions. Once recognised, treatment options have expanded significantly: newer medications provide sustained relief with fewer side effects than traditional NSAIDs, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy improve joint function, and weight management reduces mechanical load on affected joints. The combination of these approaches can transform an arthritic dog quality of life.