Osteoarthritis is the most common painful condition in dogs, affecting millions. Evidence-based multimodal management significantly improves comfort and mobility.
Canine osteoarthritis is simultaneously the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs and one of the most undertreated conditions in companion animal medicine. The challenge is recognition: dogs with arthritis typically show subtle signs — reluctance to jump, slower to rise, stiffness after rest, reduced activity — that owners attribute to normal aging. Veterinary pain assessment during routine examinations can identify arthritis earlier when intervention is most effective. Multimodal management that combines NSAIDs with weight management, physical rehabilitation, and environmental modification produces the best welfare outcomes. Weight management deserves particular emphasis: even modest weight loss in overweight arthritic dogs produces measurable reduction in pain and improvement in mobility. Ramps, orthopedic beds, and non-slip mats cost very little and reduce pain with every interaction.