The science of pain assessment in companion animals has advanced significantly, with validated species-specific tools now available for clinical use. These advances are transforming how veterinary professionals recognise and treat pain.
Advances in pain assessment science are translating into better welfare outcomes for companion animals through earlier recognition and more effective treatment. Validated scales give veterinary professionals objective tools rather than relying on experience and intuition alone. Owner-based assessment tools extend pain monitoring beyond clinical visits into the home environment where chronic pain is most apparent. The integration of validated pain assessment into standard clinical practice, alongside evidence-based multimodal analgesia protocols, represents one of the most impactful welfare advances in companion animal medicine.