Chronic pain is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated in companion dogs, partly because dogs instinctively mask pain and partly because owners and some veterinarians lack awareness of subtle pain indicators.
Chronic pain is one of the most significant and underaddressed welfare issues in companion animals. Because dogs evolved as prey animals as well as predators, they instinctively conceal weakness, meaning their stoic behavior under chronic pain is often misinterpreted as health. A dog who moves less, avoids stairs, sleeps more, or snaps when touched may be silently suffering from treatable musculoskeletal pain. The welfare implications are profound since millions of dogs experience years of unnecessary suffering due to inadequate pain recognition and treatment.