Degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs, affecting an estimated 20 percent of the adult population, and requires proactive lifetime management to maintain quality of life.
Canine OA is one of the most prevalent yet underaddressed welfare problems in companion animals. The combination of stoicism in dogs, owner normalisation of reduced activity in older dogs, and underutilisation of validated pain assessment tools means millions of dogs live with inadequately treated chronic pain. An estimated 60 percent of dogs with radiographic OA are not receiving any pharmacological pain management. This represents a massive, largely avoidable welfare burden. Implementing routine OA screening with validated tools, regular body condition scoring, and evidence-based multimodal management from diagnosis significantly extends the period of comfortable, active life for affected dogs.