Osteoarthritis is one of the most common and underdiagnosed sources of chronic pain in dogs, affecting millions of companion animals whose suffering often goes unrecognized by their owners.
Osteoarthritis represents a major hidden welfare crisis in companion dogs. The stoic nature of dogs means pain is frequently normalized by owners as "slowing down with age" rather than recognized as a treatable condition causing daily suffering. Untreated osteoarthritis causes persistent pain that affects every aspect of a dog's life — sleep quality, social interaction, and ability to engage in pleasurable activities. Effective treatments exist and dramatically improve quality of life. Regular veterinary assessment using validated pain scales (Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs scale), combined with multimodal pain management, can restore significant function. Maintaining healthy body weight is the single most effective preventive measure.