Accurate pain assessment is fundamental to canine welfare. Dogs mask pain through evolutionary stoicism, requiring systematic assessment tools rather than casual observation.
Undertreated pain in dogs is a pervasive welfare problem driven by the difficulty of pain assessment in a species that suppresses pain signals. A dog sitting quietly in the corner after surgery may be in severe pain that its owner and vet interpret as calm recovery. Systematic use of validated pain scales by veterinary staff during post-operative and chronic disease management dramatically improves pain recognition and treatment rates. Owner education about subtle pain signs — reluctance to climb stairs, reduced greeting behaviour, avoiding previously enjoyed activities, changes in facial expression — enables earlier identification of chronic pain at home. The field of veterinary pain science has advanced significantly, providing robust tools, but implementation in clinical practice remains inconsistent. Advocating for your dog's pain management with your vet is an important welfare action.