Arthritis in Dogs: Managing Chronic Pain in a Common Condition

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 20% of dogs over one year of age and is the most common source of chronic pain in companion dogs. Early detection and multimodal management significantly improve welfare.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects approximately 20% of adult dogs and over 80% of dogs over 8 years of age
OA is progressive and irreversible; management focuses on slowing progression and controlling pain
Dogs with OA often reduce activity subtly — owners frequently attribute reduced willingness to exercise to "slowing down with age"
Validated pain assessment tools include the Canine Brief Pain Inventory and Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) questionnaire
NSAIDs, particularly meloxicam and carprofen, are the most evidence-supported pharmacological treatments
Novel treatments including monoclonal antibody therapy (bedinvetmab) targeting nerve growth factor show strong clinical efficacy
Weight management is the single most impactful non-pharmacological intervention — each kilogram of weight loss reduces joint load by 4 kg

Welfare Considerations

Canine arthritis represents an enormous burden of chronic pain that is substantially under-treated because the signs are subtle and owners and some veterinarians under-appreciate pain in non-vocalising animals. Dogs with severe OA continue to function — eating, interacting, walking — while experiencing significant daily pain, because evolutionary pressure selected for pain concealment in prey-vulnerable contexts. A welfare-centred approach requires proactive screening through gait analysis and validated questionnaires, multimodal pain management combining pharmacology with weight management and physiotherapy, and regular reassessment as disease progresses. The emergence of effective monoclonal antibody treatments offers new options for dogs who cannot tolerate NSAIDs or show insufficient response.

What You Can Do

Complete a validated OA questionnaire (LOAD or CBPI) for any dog showing reduced activity, stiffness, or reluctance to jump
Discuss NSAID therapy with your vet — chronic pain management requires regular medication, not intermittent dosing
Achieve and maintain ideal body weight — the most impactful intervention available without medication
Consider hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and environmental modifications including ramps and orthopaedic bedding
Ask your vet about monoclonal antibody therapy if your dog has failed or cannot tolerate conventional NSAID treatment