Canine osteoarthritis is widespread but underdiagnosed. Millions of dogs live with chronic joint pain that can be significantly reduced with appropriate management.
Chronic joint pain in dogs causes sustained suffering that profoundly affects quality of life. Dogs with arthritis may struggle to rise, resist movement they previously enjoyed, become irritable when touched, and lose interest in play and social interaction. These signs are frequently misread as personality changes or ageing, leading to prolonged untreated pain. The welfare burden is substantial: large surveys estimate millions of dogs in the UK and US alone experience arthritis-related chronic pain with inadequate treatment. Veterinary management has advanced significantly — anti-nerve growth factor antibody treatments (such as bedinvetmab) provide sustained pain relief with fewer side effects than traditional NSAIDs. Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, weight management, and environmental modifications (ramps, orthopedic bedding) complement pharmaceutical treatment.