Companion Animal Arthritis Pain and Management

Arthritis affects millions of companion animals and is a major source of chronic pain. Effective recognition and management dramatically improves quality of life for affected dogs and cats.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 20% of adult dogs and 40% of cats over 10 years of age
Most arthritic pets are not receiving adequate pain management due to owner and vet under-recognition
Cats with arthritis show subtle signs including reduced jumping, stiff gait, and increased hiding
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective for arthritis pain but require veterinary monitoring
Weight management is one of the most impactful interventions for arthritic pets — each kilo lost reduces joint load significantly
Novel treatments including anti-NGF antibodies provide excellent pain control with monthly injections in both dogs and cats

Welfare Considerations

Arthritis is one of the most prevalent and undertreated sources of chronic pain in companion animals. The combination of owner under-recognition and the stoic nature of animals in pain means many arthritic pets live for years with unaddressed suffering. Effective treatments exist that can dramatically improve quality of life. Regular veterinary monitoring, owner education about subtle pain signs, weight management, and appropriate pharmacological treatment are the key elements of welfare-positive arthritis care.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet to assess for arthritis at every routine check-up for dogs and cats over 7 years
Learn to recognise subtle arthritis signs including reduced activity and reluctance to jump
Work with your vet to develop a multimodal pain management plan for arthritic pets
Maintain a healthy body weight for your pet to reduce joint loading
Discuss novel anti-NGF pain treatments with your vet if current management is insufficient