Orthopedic problems are among the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs. Early prevention through weight management and appropriate exercise, combined with effective treatment, significantly improves welfare.
Joint disease causes chronic pain that progressively reduces dogs' willingness and ability to engage in the activities that bring them joy — walking, running, playing, and interacting socially. The welfare impact compounds over time as pain avoidance behavior reduces muscle mass, further destabilizing joints. Prevention is far more effective than treatment: maintaining lean body weight throughout life, providing appropriate low-impact exercise, and supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids and joint supplements in at-risk breeds can delay or reduce the severity of arthritis significantly. Once established, multimodal pain management including NSAIDs, gabapentin, physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy can maintain quality of life through the senior years.