Osteoarthritis is the most common source of chronic pain in dogs, affecting millions of older animals, yet remains undertreated due to poor recognition and suboptimal management strategies.
Chronic OA pain profoundly reduces quality of life in aging dogs. Many dogs live with significant uncontrolled pain because owners attribute behavioral changes — less enthusiasm for walks, sleeping more, snapping when touched — to "just getting old" rather than pain. The result is months or years of treatable suffering that goes unaddressed. OA pain is particularly insidious because it worsens after rest (post-rest stiffness), meaning dogs anticipate pain when rising and may become reluctant to move even for valued activities. New treatment options including anti-NGF antibodies have transformed management for some dogs. Environmental modifications — raised food bowls, orthopedic beds, ramps instead of stairs — cost little but significantly reduce daily pain.