Dog Chronic Pain Assessment and Management

How chronic pain affects dogs' daily lives and what owners and vets can do to identify and manage it effectively.

Key Facts

Chronic pain affects an estimated 20-30% of dogs, with osteoarthritis being the most common cause
Dogs often hide pain through evolutionary instinct, making it easy to miss
Validated pain scales like the Canine Brief Pain Inventory help vets and owners track severity
Multimodal pain management combining medication, physiotherapy, and environmental modification is most effective
Weight management alone can significantly reduce the burden of arthritis-related pain in overweight dogs

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain is one of the most significant unmet welfare needs in companion dogs. Because dogs evolved to conceal vulnerability, pain often manifests subtly — as reluctance to jump, reduced playfulness, changes in sleep patterns, or increased irritability — and can persist for years before being recognised. Many owners attribute these changes to normal ageing rather than treatable pain. With better assessment tools now available and a growing range of management options including novel medications like lokivetmab, much more can be done to reduce the pain burden in elderly and chronically ill dogs.

What You Can Do

Learn the subtle signs of chronic pain in dogs, including behaviour changes and movement differences
Use the Canine Brief Pain Inventory or similar tools to objectively track your dog's pain over time
Discuss pain management options with your vet, including physiotherapy and newer medications
Manage your dog's weight carefully, as even small reductions significantly reduce joint pain
Modify the home environment with ramps, orthopedic bedding, and non-slip surfaces